Skip to main content

I’m scoping out Box for my team and have the following questions about using the native Microsoft Office integration. 

  1. In using Microsoft products, does Microsoft have access to our data?
  2. It seems like if we use Microsoft Office Online through Box.com, we don’t need to separately pay for Microsoft Office -- is that correct? What if we want to open files on Microsoft Office for desktop? 

Hi ​@groovyk, 

Welcome to Box Community and we’d love answer your questions in regards to Box for Office integrations. 

To answer your questions, 

  1. In using Microsoft products, does Microsoft have access to our data?

When a user edits a file in Box using Microsoft Office Online, the file is sent securely over HTTPS to Microsoft’s servers for rendering and editing. Some data is cached temporarily (up to 30 days) on Microsoft’s side but not permanently stored by Box. Microsoft handles license checks and access control directly. Therefore, Microsoft does have access to the content during editing sessions as it processes the files on their servers.

 

  1. It seems like if we use Microsoft Office Online through Box.com, we don’t need to separately pay for Microsoft Office -- is that correct? What if we want to open files on Microsoft Office for desktop? 

Free Box users do not need to pay separately for Office Online, but paid Box users must have a valid Office 365 Business license.

Opening files with Microsoft Office desktop apps is independent of the online integration and works with local licenses and installations.

 

To get to know more about Box for Office integrations, please see this article.

 

Hope it helps, and have a safe weekend ahead! 

Reply


Terms & ConditionsCookie settings