Microsoft launches test version of next Office

LOS ANGELES: Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday said it was unveiling a test version of its next-generation Office suite, which the software giant is expected to launch in the second half of next year.

The technical beta release of the program -- code-named "Office 12" and to include word-processing program Word, spreadsheet Excel and other productivity tools -- was offered for testing to a limited number of customers, the company said.

Microsoft's Information Worker unit, which includes Office, accounted for $2.7 billion of the company's $9.7 billion in revenue and $1.9 billion of $4.0 billion in operating income in the fiscal first quarter ended in September.