Do I need to be connected to the Internet to use Microsoft's cloud products?

Not necessarily. While some of Microsoft's cloud services — like OneDrive or Microsoft Teams — require an Internet connection to use to their fullest capacity, many of Microsoft's cloud-enabled products work well offline.

For example, many Microsoft 365 and Office 365 plans include downloadable versions of the Office apps that you already use. This means that you can download and install apps like Microsoft Word and Excel and use them as you normally do, even if you're disconnected from the Internet.

When you reconnect to the internet, your Office apps will automatically check with Microsoft to make sure your subscription is current.

To find out more about which plans offer downloadable Office apps, see What You Need to Know About Microsoft 365 and Office 365