One of the benefits of being in the Office Beta Channel (formerly known as Insider Fast) is getting to see and test new Office features before they are generally available.
When you install Office, all new installations will default to the Current channel (formerly known as the Monthly channel). However, it is possible to change your update channel. The table below lists all the available update channels and their former names as these were recently changed.
Channel | Old Name |
---|---|
Beta | Insider Fast |
Current (Preview) | Monthly (Targeted) |
Current | Monthly |
Monthly Enterprise | Monthly Enterprise |
Semi-Annual Enterprise (Preview) | Semi-Annual (Targeted) |
Semi-Annual Enterprise | Semi-Annual |
The Beta Channel typically receives new features 1 month in advance of the Current Channel. For more information on the specifics of each channel, check out this article from Microsoft.
How to determine your Office update channel
To determine your Office update channel, open any Office app. In our example, we will open Microsoft Word.
Once launched, click Account. In the About Word section, you will see both the build number and the current update channel. In the screenshot below, you can see our build is Version 2012, and our update cycle is the Current Channel.
Microsoft Outlook is a little different. To check your Office update channel using Outlook, navigate to the File menu and select Office Account. Like other Office apps, the build and update channel will be listed in the About Outlook section.
Tip: The build numbers are formulated from a two-digit year and a two-digit month. For example, the first two digits, “20”, designate the year 2020. The second two digits, “12”, designate December. Microsoft documents all build numbers and release notes here.
Switch to the Office (M365 Apps) Beta Channel
Microsoft documents several ways to switch update channels for the Office apps. Some methods, such as Group Policies, System Center, or the Office Deployment Toolkit, are geared towards enterprises. However, other methods, including modifying the registry, are better suited for a single device (e.g., a test or development device).
To use the registry method, click Start, type regedit.exe, and launch the Registry Editor. In the registry editor, expand the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\officeupdate
Create a new String Value named “updatebranch“.
Note: You may need to create some of the keys if not present. For example, “officeupdate” may be missing.
Right-click on the new “updatebranch” string and select Modify from the context menu. Enter a value of InsiderFast and click Ok. Close the registry editor and restart your device.
Once the device has started back up, launch Microsoft Word. From the Account page, click Update Options and select Update Now.
The update process will then download and install the latest beta build for Microsoft Office. You will be prompted to close any Office applications during this process. Follow any on-screen prompts.
Microsoft Word will automatically restart after the update is complete.
From Word, navigate to the Account tab, and you should see a current channel of Beta and the latest build information.
How has your experience been in the beta channel? Drop a comment below or join the conversation on Twitter @SuperTekBoy.
Greg M says
Update based on my experience Jan 2024:
1. The value for “updatebranch” needs to be “BetaChannel” (as a string)
2. The “16.0” and “common” keys need to exist in ” HKEY Local Machine\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\ “. If not present, each can be created with REGEDIT by Edit > New > Key and entering in sequence under the “office” key in that branch.
3. The solution for individual devices recommended by Microsoft using registry editing is: ” reg add HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officeupdate /v updatebranch /t REG_SZ /d BetaChannel ” (no quotes). Bing AI states that the /v switch is the valuename, /t is the datatype, REG_SZ is string, d/ is the data
4. The blue and purple triangular icon that is advertised to appear (on the Account tab) to normally start the process of signing up for “Insider” did NOT change. However, after applying “Update Now” (top button) I was updated to the latest version on the Beta Channel.
Hope this helps other people in using REGEDIT to subscribe to the BetaChannel. I’ll reply along these lines to the comments above
JT says
Doesn’t work with Windows 11.
Cannot see Office\16.0\Common\officeupdate under Microsoft.
Office options is unavailable in Microsoft folder.
Gareth Gudger says
I have them in Windows 11. You can manually create the missing keys.
Greg M says
I had a similar experience initially, but I was able to add Beta Channel following the process in my post below (Jan 3, 2024)
I likewise did not have “16.0” under the “office” key.
1. The “16.0” and “common” keys need to exist in ” HKEY Local Machine\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\ “.
If not present, each can be created with REGEDIT by Edit > New > Key and entering in sequence (under the “office” key) “16.0” and then “common” in that branch.
2. “updateoffice” can either be created using the command line or manually by Edit > New > String > “update office” and then setting the value as “BetaChannel”
3. The icon on the Account page (Excel > File > Account) doesn’t change, but after “Update Options” button > “Update Now” I had the latest Beta version listed under “About Excel” (second tier, to the right of “About Excel” button
4. The “About Excel” doesn’t change to the “Insider” (or whatever it is) but more importantly the installed version match the description.
anthony says
why has the searchable drop down list in excel ceased to function
Bill Bosler says
Did NOT work with Windows 11
Seth says
Doesn’t work. No key exists.
Gareth Gudger says
Hey Seth,
You may need to create missing keys in the path. For example, “officeupdate”.
Gustav Brock says
Thanks, this simple method worked right away for me.
John says
Can you return to current channel, after switching to beta?
Gareth Gudger says
Hi John,
You can change the registry key referenced in this article, “updatebranch,” to a different value. Try the value of “Current”. Then instruct Office to update from the File > Account menu. Restart Office. You should then be back on the current channel.
John says
Any idea when Excel LAMBDA function is coming out of beta? -thx
PROSENJIT CHANDRA PAUL says
Lambda is available in 365 version no need to go beta.