[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "when%20purchasing%20a%20microsoft%20office%20perpetual%20license%2C%20as%20opposed%20to%20microsoft%20365%20subscription%2C%20is%20the%20stock%20data%20available%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s the latest information (as of April 2026) about whether a perpetual license of Microsoft Office (e.g. Office 2021 or Office 2024, also known as the one-time purchase version) includes **stock market data** functionality in Excel compared to Microsoft 365. \n\n---\n\n## What \u201cStock Data\u201d Means in Excel\n\nMicrosoft provides what are called **\u201cLinked Data Types\u201d** in Excel\u2014specifically, \u201cStocks\u201d (and \u201cGeography\u201d) data types. These allow you to enter a stock ticker (like \u201cMSFT\u201d) into a cell, convert it to a linked data type, and pull in up-to-date stock market information such as current price, price change, etc. These are dynamic, quote-driven, and require online connectivity. Microsoft also has functions to manipulate them.  \n\n---\n\n## What Microsoft says about perpetual Office (Office 2021 / Office 2024 etc.)\n\nAccording to Microsoft\u2019s product documentation and community forums:\n\n- The **Stocks and Geography data types** are **available only on Microsoft 365** and **NOT available in Office 2021**. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/58946a92-1aca-4eee-abac-67652e874914/is-stocks-and-geography-data-type-available-in?forum=msoffice-all&utm_source=openai))  \n- Microsoft has confirmed that these data types will *not* be added to Office 2021 and similar perpetual versions. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/58946a92-1aca-4eee-abac-67652e874914/is-stocks-and-geography-data-type-available-in?forum=msoffice-all&utm_source=openai))  \n\nThis means that even though Office 2021 brings many new features (new Excel functions, dark mode, etc.), it **does not** include the dynamic tickers / linked stock data type functionality. ([computerworld.com](https://www.computerworld.com/article/1615518/what-s-new-in-office-2021.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Differences: Microsoft 365 vs. Perpetual License\n\nHere\u2019s how that feature difference fits in the broader context:\n\n| Feature | Microsoft 365 (Subscription) | Office 2021 / Perpetual License |\n|---|---|---|\n| Stocks & Geography Linked Data Types | \u2714 Available | \u2716 Not available ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/58946a92-1aca-4eee-abac-67652e874914/is-stocks-and-geography-data-type-available-in?forum=msoffice-all&utm_source=openai)) |\n| Feature updates including new features | \u2714 Regularly added | \u2716 Only security/stability fixes after release ([nakivo.com](https://www.nakivo.com/blog/office-2021-vs-microsoft-365/?utm_source=openai)) |\n| Online/cloud-dependent features | \u2714 Included | \u2716 Mostly missing (perpetual license has limited online features) ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/what-s-the-difference-between-microsoft-365-and-office-2021-ed447ebf-6060-46f9-9e90-a239bd27eb96?utm_source=openai)) |\n\n---\n\n## Summary Answer\n\nIf you purchase a **perpetual license** of Microsoft Office (like Office 2021):\n\n- You **do not** get the \u201cStocks\u201d (or \u201cGeography\u201d) linked data types in Excel.\n- You **cannot** fetch live or near-live stock quote or related linked financial data in Excel via these Microsoft data types.\n- If you need stock market data, you\u2019ll either need Microsoft 365, or use alternative methods (third-party add-ins, custom web queries, etc.).\n\nIf your goal depends on having live stock market/investment quote data directly in Excel via these built-in dynamic data types, Microsoft 365 is required.\n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can check whether *Office 2024 (perpetual)* changes any of this\u2014you mentioned \u201cperpetual\u201d license, which sometimes refers to the newest perpetual edition. Want me to verify specifically for Office 2024?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "so%202021%20was%20the%20last%20release%3F%20when%20is%20next%20planned%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s what I found about the next perpetual (one-time purchase) version of Microsoft Office after Office 2021, and what\u2019s currently known about future releases:\n\n---\n\n## Office 2024: The Latest Perpetual Version\n\n- Microsoft released **Office 2024** (including Office LTSC 2024 for commercial/government customers) as a perpetual license version that's sold with a one-time purchase. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/office-2024-and-office-ltsc-2024-faq-1c454a7d-3d0a-4139-b1bd-c61725ea436c?utm_source=openai))  \n- Office 2024 includes consumer editions like **Office Home 2024** and **Office Home & Business 2024**, plus the volume-licensed \u201cLTSC 2024\u201d version for organizations. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/office-2024-and-office-ltsc-2024-faq-1c454a7d-3d0a-4139-b1bd-c61725ea436c?utm_source=openai))  \n- Notable details: it won\u2019t receive feature updates beyond its initial release; like previous perpetual versions, it comes with fixed support timelines (e.g. 5 years for Office Home versions) ([computerworld.com](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3555023/heres-whats-new-in-office-2024.html?utm_source=openai)).\n\nSo, Office 2021 was *not* the final perpetual version.  \n\n---\n\n## Praise or Transparency: What Microsoft Says About Next Versions\n\n- In Microsoft\u2019s \u201cOffice 2024 and Office LTSC 2024 FAQ,\u201d it says clearly that **there *will* be on-premises (i.e. perpetual) versions beyond this release**. ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/office-2024-and-office-ltsc-2024-faq-1c454a7d-3d0a-4139-b1bd-c61725ea436c?utm_source=openai))  \n- The version names \"Office 2024\" and \"LTSC 2024\" signal that Microsoft continues the LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) lineup, which is intended for environments that need stable, fixed-feature software. ([computerworld.com](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3555023/heres-whats-new-in-office-2024.html?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## What We *Don\u2019t* Know (Yet)\n\n- Microsoft hasn\u2019t officially announced the **name**, release date, or specific dates for features or support for any version beyond Office 2024.  \n- Though users often speculate about \u201cOffice 2026\u201d (or similar) because of past version numbering and two-year cycles, there is *no public confirmation* as of now about when the next perpetual version will drop.  \n\n---\n\n## Conclusion\n\n- **No**, Office 2021 is not the last perpetual version.  \n- **Yes**, Office 2024 is the current perpetual-license version, released in October 2024. ([computerworld.com](https://www.computerworld.com/article/3555023/heres-whats-new-in-office-2024.html?utm_source=openai))  \n- Microsoft has confirmed it plans for perpetual/on-premises versions beyond 2024, but has *not* provided a schedule for future releases. If you want, I can try to find insider projections or expected timelines based on Microsoft's past patterns?"
    }
]