Microsoft Office Web apps have now got the real-time co-editing feature, which enables users to contribute and edit documents simultaneously.

Microsoft made the announcement on Wednesday, November 6, which lets people collaborate on documents. The new live co-editing feature will enable users to see where their co-authors are working in a document, as well as the modifications they are making to the text or formatting.

"A document is only as good as the people who contribute to it. So today, we're introducing a new way for people to collaborate on documents with Office Web Apps," said Amanda Lefebvre, technical product marketing manager for Office Web App.

Using real-time co-authoring, colleagues, friends and family can contribute and edit documents simultaneously in the Word Web App, PowerPoint Web App or Excel Web App. New real-time presence helps you see where your co-authors are working in the document so that you don't create conflicts as you edit. Additionally, the new ability to see changes to text and formatting as they happen will help you and your co-authors stay on the same page as your ideas develop and evolve."

Microsoft has also added the auto-save feature to the Office Suite Web apps' Word app, which saves data on the go automatically. Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote app already had this feature.

"We're putting a lot of effort on Office Web Apps," said John Case, Microsoft's corporate vice president for Office marketing.

Office Web Apps are a free alternative to Office and is also included with Office 365, the cloud collaboration and communication suite for businesses. The apps compete with Google Docs and offer users a real-time editing option. Real-time editing in documents and spreadsheets was possible in Google Docs and is possible in Office Web Apps as well.

"With the introduction of real-time co-authoring, the Office collaboration experience takes your ability to work with others to the next level. Whether working from the Web, desktop, a Windows tablet or iPad, a mobile device, offline or online, Office provides you the tools to work together in ways that fit your needs," notes Lefebvre.

The Office Web app update has started rolling out from November 6 and will be available via SkyDrive and Office 365 to Office Web App users by end of this week.