Sway

What is Sway?

Sway is a digital storytelling app from Microsoft that allows users to create interactive reports, presentations, newsletters, portfolios, and more—without needing advanced design skills. Unlike traditional slide-based tools like PowerPoint, Sway focuses on fluid, scrollable, web-style layouts that look great on any device.

Think of Sway as a lightweight, modern content creation tool for visually engaging, shareable experiences.

Why Use Sway?

Sway is perfect for users who want to quickly create and share content-rich presentations or documents without getting bogged down by formatting and layout adjustments.

Here’s why you might love using it:

• Mobile-friendly and responsive design— automatically adjusts to screen sizes.
• No design experience needed— Sway takes care of formatting.
• Embed videos, images, charts, tweets, and more effortlessly
• Easily shareable via link, with permission settings for privacy.

Whether you're a student, teacher, professional, or content creator, Sway makes storytelling beautifully simple.

Is Sway Free?

Yes! Sway is free to use for anyone with a Microsoft account (Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, etc.) or a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Access Type	Free?	Includes
Personal Microsoft Account	✅ Free	Basic Sway features
Microsoft 365 Work/School Account	✅ Included	Advanced sharing & content integration
Standalone App Purchase	❌ Not required	Fully integrated into Microsoft ecosystem

Note: Some organizational admins may disable Sway for enterprise users—check with your IT team if it's unavailable.

Key Features of Sway

Here are some of Sway’s standout capabilities:

• Drag-and-Drop Content

Add text, images, videos, charts, or even embedded content from YouTube, Twitter, OneDrive, and more.

• Design Engine

Sway auto-generates stylish layouts using its built-in design engine. You can adjust styles, but formatting stays hassle-free.

• Responsive Layouts

Sways are scrollable, mobile-friendly, and look professional across devices without any extra effort.

• Easy Sharing & Permissions

Share via link or restrict access to specific people in your organization. You can also embed your Sway in websites or blogs.

• Built-in Accessibility Checker

Ensure your content is accessible to all users with Sway’s real-time accessibility suggestions.

How to Access Sway in Office 365?

Via Web

• Go to: https://sway.office.com
• Sign in with your Microsoft account or Microsoft 365 credentials.
• Start a new Sway or use a template to get going.

Via Microsoft 365 App Launcher

1. Open https://www.office.com
2. Click the App Launcher (the nine-dot grid) in the top-left.
3. Select Sway from the list of apps. (If it’s not listed, click “All apps.”)

Note: Sway is a web-based app and does not have a desktop version.

In Summary:

Sway is a fantastic, free tool for anyone who wants to tell a story, present an idea, or share a message in a visual, modern, and mobile-friendly format—without worrying about design or formatting.