What is the Insider Office Program?
For all Office 365 users, Microsoft created the Insider Office status. It gives you special advantages that can improve your work with Excel and other Office apps.
- Early Access to Features: Office Insider members get new tools and updates before other users.
- Try exciting features like dynamic array formulas.
- Give Feedback: Your opinions help Microsoft improve Office features.
How to Access the Insider Office Program
By default, you don’t see the Insider option in your Account dashboard (File > Account).
The only way to add the Insider button is to add a register key in the settings of Windows. Let’s see the steps in this article.
Step 1: Open Regedit
To add the Insider button to your Account section, you need to add a registry key. Open the registry by typing Regedit in the Windows search bar.
Step 2: Add a New Key
There are two ways to add the key:
Method 1: Manually Create the Key
Go to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common
If this folder does not exist, right-click and select New > Key. Then, create the following key:
- Key Name: insiderslabbehavior
- Value Type: REG_DWORD
- Value: 1
Method 2: Use a Shortcut to Create the Key
You can also create the key using the command line:
- Search for
CMD, right-click on “Command Prompt,” and select “Run as Administrator.” - Type this command:
reg add HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common /v insiderslabbehavior /t REG_DWORD /d 1(without quotes) and press Enter.
That’s it! Your key has been created successfully 😃👍
Step 3: Restart Office
- Close all your Microsoft 365 application (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, …)
- Reopen it.
- ……… Maybe your need to restart twice 🙄
- The Insider Office button will appear in the menu File > Account.
Step 4: Change the Office Channel
Click the Insider > Change Level button to choose from two channels.
- Select your channel: Current Channel or Beta Channel.
- Check all options before you confirm.
- Click OK, and Office will update automatically.
Differences Between the Two Channels
Current Channel
This is the stable version, updated twice a year. You might miss out on the latest tools, like LAMBDA or new data types.
Beta Channel
This former Insider Channel gives you early access to features. It’s rare to encounter bugs, but it is possible.
