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There is a lot of confusion on this topic so I just want to confirm if following is true:
Word = Supports co-authoring via both desktop application and Office Online Server/Office Web App Server
Powerpoint = Supports co-authoring via both desktop application and Office Online Server/Office Web App Server
Excel = Only support co-authoring via Office Online Server/Office Web App Server
Please refer to Feature availability across Office Online plans for a comparison list. All mentioned apps support real time co-authoring via browser and desktop app (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
More information especially about Excel can be found in Collaborate on Excel workbooks at the same time with co-authoring
SharePoint 2016 on-premise only supports co-authoring with Word and PowerPoint. Co-authoring with Excel desktop or even web-based client (through Office Web Apps Server) is not supported.
