Now that Microsoft Office has finally arrived for the iPad, Microsoft is going to bring a touch-only version of Office to Windows 8. That will provide Windows 8 tablets, such as the Surface 2 and Surface Pro, with the same touch-first experience as the iPad.

Yes, yes, Microsoft Office is already available for Windows 8 and Windows RT, which means it is compatible with a touch-screen, but if you've ever used Office on a Surface device, you know that it's really designed for a mouse and keyboard, not your fingertips.

Microsoft has been hard at work on a touch-friendly version of Office for Windows 8 for quite some time. At Microsoft's Build conference last year, the company showed off a brief look at a Metro Microsoft design language version of the Office Suite.

Last October, then-CEO Steve Ballmer implied that Office for iPad would appear after a touch-first version was available for Windows. Somewhere down the line, the plan changed and instead, Office for iPad has the distinction of being the first version of Office designed for touch.

Microsoft didn't give a release date of the touch-friendly version of Office for Windows, but its arrival appears imminent. New CEO Satya Nadella said that Windows users can expect to hear more about Microsoft's plans for its Office and cloud platforms at its Build developer conference, which takes place next week in San Francisco.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.