Microsoft has announced that the iOS versions of its Office Apps will now be able to synchronise with third-party cloud storage applications such as iCloud and Dropbox.

The move represents another step by Microsoft to reach out to users on other mobile platforms, as opposed to the walled garden approach it has taken in the past, reserving access to most functions to Windows Phone users only.

In December 2014, it launched its MSN News, Weather, Sports and Money apps on iOS, Android and Amazon devices, while earlier this month it purchased the Sunrise calendar app, which enables users to import appointments and entries from a wide selection of other platforms.

Users of Microsofts iOS Office apps will now be able to open, edit and save documents stored in third-party cloud storage solutions from their iPhones and iPads, with access for Windows 10 and Office for Android users planned for later this year.

Cloud services will also be able to integrate Office Online into their applications, enabling documents to be opened, viewed and edited through web browsers. Box, Citrix and Salesforce have already partnered with Microsoft for this service, and it is actively seeking more partners.

“Todays announcements are just one more step on our continuing journey to open up Office in new ways for our customers and partners,” said Kirk Koenigsbauer, corporate vice president for Microsofts Office team. “Living in a cloud-first, mobile-first world is all about having the flexibility to get things done from anywhere and on any device. And these exciting, new features will make it easier than ever to use Office with virtually any combinations of apps, platforms and cloud storage services.”