In fact, you can already use some Microsoft Office programs online, including Word, without paying Microsoft a penny. Microsoft would prefer both Mac and Windows users of Office to move to the online version, Office 365, but it’s still entirely up to you. Is there is a cheaper way of carrying on with Word, or, failing that, an alternative word processor with which I’ll still be able to open and edit my existing Word documents? Ed As a writer, I have a very large number of Word files, but with Microsoft moving to an annual subscription model, the cost of remaining with Word is looking prohibitive. I chose Microsoft Word for Mac when I switched to a MacBook Pro some years ago.