Three productivity apps, Word, Excel and Powerpoint, are the first to become available, each optimised for touch-based controls. In a matter of hours after the launch, Word had become the most downloaded application for iPads in Apple's app store, with Excel and Powerpoint apps ranked third and fourth respectively.
Mr Nadella said that the announcement was part of a strategy to empower people "to be productive across all devices" with Microsoft software. "We are taking great focus and great care to make sure Office on any device shines through," he said, indicating that his firm would release versions of the apps for other mobile devices in the future.
Office remains Microsoft’s biggest source of revenue, accounting for approximately $16.2 billion of its operating profit in the last financial year.
