While Microsoft has updated their Office programs for Windows, iPad, and Android users, Mac users have found themselves left out of the loop since 2011. However, Microsoft is now letting Mac users get a taste for the new Microsoft Office 2016 for five of its most popular programs: Words, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote.

The official release date for the new Microsoft Office for Mac isn't expected to occur until the summer. For now, Windows is offering a "preview" of the program in the form of a 3GB download. Outlook and OneNote's new versions have been available separately since late last year. The other three programs have had simple changes made, but they are significant enough to feel like a completely new system.

Word looks cleaner and a lot better than the 2011 version. New features include better editing and sharing tools, a new design tab, threaded documents and a new Format Object task tool. Excel's newest feature is the ability to use Ctrl-C or CMD-C as a shortcut found on PC versions of the program. Other formula shortcuts have also been added. PowerPoint gives Mac users plenty of new templates and transitions to choose from.

All programs have direct access to Microsoft's OneDrive cloud storage service. All have updated ribbon menu features, making the design very clean and functional. Apple's Retina Display and Mac OS X Yosemite's full screen app mode are also available with each program.

This preview is only for Mac users who have computers that run on Yosemite. The preview is free, but users will need an Office 365 subscription for the full version coming out this summer.