Using a mouse or trackpad will dramatically improve the experience of using Microsoft office programs on Apple tablets, making it more like using desktop versions of these applications. However, there are also noticeable differences. When using a trackpad, the cursor appears on the screen as a circle that pops up only when the user touches the trackpad with a finger. When you hover over icons and other elements on the screen, the circle cursor transforms accordingly. Recall that mouse and trackpad support appeared on Apple tablets after updating to iPadOS 13.4. Also supported are keyboards combined with trackpads, which are manufactured by both Apple and third parties.

Microsoft previously announced that mouse and trackpad support will be available in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for iPad to a wide range of users this fall.