Should I edit my PowerPoint document online or offline?

If you have Microsoft Office and OneDrive for Windows installed on your local computer, you actually have 3 options to edit your PowerPoint documents stored in OneDrive.

1. Edit PowerPoint documents with PowerPoint Online in a Web browser - The PowerPoint document will be opened in the browser. All changes are done in the browser and saved immediately to the OneDrive cloud storage.

The main advantage of editing PowerPoint documents in browsers is no need to have Microsoft Office or OneDrive for Windows installed. But editing functionalities are limited and performance is not very good.

Data communication is done by the Web browser using the HTTP protocol.

2. Edit PowerPoint documents with PowerPoint desktop - The PowerPoint document will be opened in the PowerPoint desktop app. All changes are saved immediately back to the OneDrive cloud storage.

The main advantage of editing PowerPoint documents online in PowerPoint desktop app is that you have the full functionalities of the PowerPoint desktop app. But you need to purchase Microsoft PowerPoint, install it and stay connected to the Internet.

Data communication is done by the PowerPoint desktop app using the Url:PowerPoint protocol.

3. Edit PowerPoint documents offline with PowerPoint desktop app and sync with the online copy with OneDrive for Windows. The PowerPoint document will be transferred to the local OneDrive folder, then opened in the PowerPoint desktop app. All changes are saved to the local copy first, then synced with the online copy.

The main advantage of editing PowerPoint documents offline in PowerPoint desktop app is that you do not need to be connected to the Internet all the time. OneDrive for Windows will sync up with the online copy when you are connected later.

Data communication is done by the OneDrive for Windows.

⇒ What Is Microsoft PowerPoint Online App

⇐ Managing PowerPoint Documents

⇑ Managing PowerPoint Documents

⇑⇑ Office 365 - Frequently Asked Questions