Microsoft takes the restrictions off Office for Android tablets preview

Microsoft has offered its Office suite to other mobile platforms for sometime now, but Android tablet support is fairly recent. It was in Preview form and there were hoops to be jumped through in order to get access. No matter, the response was still overwhelming, or at least the company claims that is the case.

Now things are opening up as the Redmond-based company announces the expansion of this program to all users. This update to the "testing" allows all users to get access -- no more requests, or begging, through the Google Plus account.

"To participate in the preview, you can use an ARM-based Android tablet running KitKat or Lollipop, with a screen size between 7″ and 10.1″. Starting today, anyone can go to Google Play and download the Word, Excel and PowerPoint preview apps. No waitlist. No requesting access. Just go and download the apps", states the Office team in the announcement.

The apps are compatible with Android tablets ranging in size from seven inches to 10.1, which should cover pretty much every user out there. You will need to be running version 4.4 of the mobile operating system if you wish to participate.

The reason for this move is to gain feedback from customers in order improve the offering in anticipation of a final release. There's no word about a timeframe for that happening, but this indicates things are getting closer to the finish line.