Definition. Fully offline means the OfficeAPI engine performs every conversion and preview on the machine where it is installed, without network access and without sending any file, page, or metadata to an OfficeAPI-hosted service.
What does offline mean in practice?
- The engine does not require network access to function.
- Documents stay on the device or server where your product runs.
- All 42 conversion pairs and 32 preview extensions are available offline; there is no reduced "offline mode".
Which deployment shapes are offline?
Both of them.
| Shape | Where the engine runs | Platforms | Who controls the data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local device | Inside a desktop or mobile application | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, HarmonyOS | The user's device |
| Your cloud | On servers you operate, as a library or a process | Linux, Windows servers | Your infrastructure |
Offline engine versus hosted conversion service
| OfficeAPI (offline) | Hosted service | |
|---|---|---|
| File leaves your boundary | No | Yes |
| Works without connectivity | Yes | No |
| Dependencies to install | None | Network client, credentials |
| Availability depends on | Your own deployment | A third party |
How do you deploy OfficeAPI offline?
- Choose the shape: on the device, in your cloud, or both.
- Pick the integration path — dynamic library or process invocation.
- Package the engine with your build. It has zero dependencies, so no office suite or rendering service is installed alongside it.
- Run conversions and previews locally; nothing needs to reach an external service.
Why is offline practical here?
Offline operation is practical because OfficeAPI has no runtime dependencies. The engine is self-contained on every one of the 6 supported platforms, so it can sit inside an app on a phone or inside a service in a private network equally well.
Frequently asked questions
Does OfficeAPI ever call home?
No. Conversion and preview are performed locally; the engine does not upload files.
Can I run OfficeAPI in an air-gapped environment?
Yes. It does not need network access to function.
Is offline a separate edition?
No. Offline execution is how OfficeAPI works on every platform.