After a long wait, Microsoft says it plans to release a new version of its popular Office software package for Mac computers – but not until next year.

Microsoft did release one component, the Outlook email program, through the company’s Office 365 subscription service, which costs $US100 ($A108) a year.

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But a full Office package for Macs was expected this year, as Microsoft usually releases that a year after it produces a new version for Windows.

But there hasn’t been a new Office for Macs since late 2010, even though it’s already been a year and a half since the Windows release.

Microsoft says that’s because it has been concentrating on producing Office versions for smartphones and tablets first.

The Office package usually includes word-processing, spreadsheets and other commonly used programs.