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Google on Thursday announced the beta release of the Chrome Office Viewer extension for viewing Microsoft Office files directly in the browser on Windows and OS X. To use it, you’ll need the Chrome 27 beta, which was released earlier this month, or higher.

In addition to being able to open Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files directly in your browser, Google also notes that the Chrome Office Viewer can protect you from malware delivered via Office files. The extension features a sandbox to help stop attackers who use compromised Office files “to try to steal private information or monitor your activities,” according to Google.

That being said, don’t use the extension with the idea that it will stop all malware. Sandboxes aren’t perfect, and hackers work hard to figure out the best way to jump out of them.

If you’re okay with using beta software, here’s how to get started whether you’re on a Windows PC or a Mac:

• Get the Chrome Beta. If you’re on another Chrome channel, you’ll have to switch.


• Install the Chrome Office Viewer (Beta) extension.


• Try opening a Word document, Excel spreadsheet, or PowerPoint slide on the Web.

Google will presumably bring this extension out of beta when Chrome 27 launches next month. We’ll keep you posted as this happens, but in the meantime Google is asking testers to click the “Report an issue” button while viewing the file to report a bug.

Top Image credit: T. Al Nakib