By the way in formal writing?

Question

Can I say "By the way" in an official document or professional meeting and other important/formal times? I never saw any film which would include these words.

Answer 1

"By the way" is more of an informal phrase, so I would steer clear of using it if you're writing an official or professional document. Words like "additionally" and "furthermore" would work better in that context, as they're both specific adverbs that will serve the same function as the more informal phrase of, "by the way." In a face-to-face meeting, where speech tends to be a little less formal than written, official documents, it would be fine.