In what sounds like an attractive offer for consumers who may be holding off their purchase of Microsoft's Office software for the reason that they will have to undertake another additional payment of upgrading to the yet-to-be-released Office 2013 version, Microsoft will be offering the software upgrade for `free.'

Going by the information shared on Microsoft's Original Equipment Reseller site, the company plans to offer a `free' upgrade from Office 2010 to Office 2013, in all the countries in which the Office software is retailed.

With a web page for the limited-period `free' Office upgrade offer already being made available, customers who wish to avail the offer - and upgrade to Office 2012 from the Office 2010 version - are required to produce a proof of purchase of the Office software, and a valid license key. The offer will not be available for customers who are on a volume licensing contract.

With the Office 2013 upgrade coming for free, interested Office 2010 users who wish to upgrade, but want to try Office 2013 before upgrading, can download the Office 2013 Preview.

However, the free Office 2013 upgrade offer - which is clearly a worth-grabbing offer even for the customers who are satisfied with Office 2010 - will be valid for customers who purchase Office software from between October 19,
2012, and May 31, 2013.