Microsoft Corp on Thursday said users of its Office suite of applications on Apple Inc's iPad would be able to create and edit documents for free instead of paying for a subscription and Microsoft will also give prorated refunds to all those who purchased the Office 365 subscription. Previously, in order to be able to use Office apps on an iOS or Android device.

Premium features, which includes full Office applications - Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote, on PCs and Macs, unlimited OneDrive storage, and Skype calls, will still require a subscription, though. Similarly, using it for commercial purposes also requires an Office 365 subscription.

All those who earlier paid for the subscription. iPad users will need to contact iTunes Store Support for a refund.

John Case - Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Office confirmed this news in official Microsoft Blog titled: - More Office. Everywhere you need it.