I see some changes I really like, but probably won't upgrade from 2007 for some time.
I think MS has made an outstanding move to get away from the old menu system with sub menus buried many layers deep at times.
It was the best around at that time, but compared to 2007/2010, it's much harder to use and get work done quickly. Nice work Office team!
An early look at Office 2010
by Ed Bott | July 13, 2009 6:37am PDT | Image 1 of 12
Previous | Next
Simplified lineup
By Ed Bott
Office 2010 takes a cue from Windows 7, with fewer editions and a straight upgrade path from one version to the next. This is the lineup for the top consumer edition, Office Professional 2010.
For more details, see "Office 2010 makes a splashy (but incomplete) public debut"
Office 2010 takes a cue from Windows 7, with fewer editions and a straight upgrade path from one version to the next. This is the lineup for the top consumer edition, Office Professional 2010.
For more details, see "Office 2010 makes a splashy (but incomplete) public debut"
Just In
Microsoft get a roasting for lots of things, but the roasting that they have received over the ribbon interface has generally been unwarranted. 2010 seems to take the paradigm further. Well done Microsoft. Now, if only they could address the accuracy issues in Excel and rewrite PowerPoint from the ground up (a ghastly program).
Yes it looks great and appears to be well organized. Except - The current trend in monitor hardware will not support it. Add a ribbon to the top and some other functional stuff and there is not much room for the prime function - entering text and other page elements. As most monitor screens are now 16 X 9 ratio a monitor you can turn to present 9 X 16 ratio will be a must.
What are you talking about first you can hide the ribbon and use classic menu if you dont like, second who uses low resolution monitors these days, 1024 x 768 is not productive for any application thats lame so a business who likes these tiny monitors are likely to be businesses that can't take advantage of office or any other line of business application, oh btw ribbon buttons adapt to shorter screens very good
It's those users that don't know that you can take the menu, stick it ON THE SIDES of the screens, and then open up a FULL PAGE VIEW of your document (heck, if your monitor is large enough, TWO PAGES (!!!) at a time too).
All of a sudden the "can't put my ribbins on da scween anymoare booohooohooo" becomes "o wow, I can see everything without scrolling up and down with my mouse scroll wheel thingy".
All of a sudden the "can't put my ribbins on da scween anymoare booohooohooo" becomes "o wow, I can see everything without scrolling up and down with my mouse scroll wheel thingy".
When I look at the Excel screenshot I see a flossy window with the same old boring Excel spreadsheet inside that reminds me of 9-to-5.
That last picture, with the translator, has a green arrow that typically used with audio. Are you telling me it will translate and speak the translation too? That would be really, really cool!
Unreal. They added the ribbon in 2007 knowing users would hate it and would, most likely, pony up dollars for an alternative in the next version.
Gotta love 'em.
Gotta love 'em.
We've avoided all upgrades to ribbon-implementing GUIs in my company.
Many companies votedwith their dollars and MS has finally gotten the message, it seems.
JJB
Many companies votedwith their dollars and MS has finally gotten the message, it seems.
JJB
Have you seen the click maps that led to the development of the ribbon? In the old interface people clicked all over frustrated their mostly fruitless results. 9/10 things they wanted from word were already there but the miserly, terrible interface was hiding the features. The ribbon is not perfect but a huge improvement. There is a learning curve for users who have trained themselves to use the crappy former UI but it is well worth it. We thought we'd take it slow but once people saw their neighbor's 2007 they wanted in and we just got it down.
>MS has finally gotten the message, it seems.
Huh? You do know that they have added the ribbon to more programs in 2010 right? Sounds like you won't be upgrading again! Yes!
>MS has finally gotten the message, it seems.
Huh? You do know that they have added the ribbon to more programs in 2010 right? Sounds like you won't be upgrading again! Yes!
Thtat's pretty stupid of you guys to say, there are thousands of business using ribbon CTP on their applications and a lot more who are willing to use it for new developments along with WPF i'm sure MS will bring a solid API for Windows 7 Ribbon on next .net 4, the ribbon has revolutioned the way applications are built enhancing the user experience
I mean, even apple has ribbons in their software. And yahoo, and google, and adobe, and...
Wow, they must all be in league. Just one big massive ... conspiracy?!?!
And don't get me started on those darn tabs!!! Tabs here, tabs there...TABS TABS TABS EVERYWHERE. DOWN WITH TABS I SAY!!!!! I don't even want to even see them on my manilla folders anymore. And no more buttons... only switches from now on. I want my desktop to look like a 60's stereo amplifier!! Just don't get me started on check-boxes!!! That'll really make me go postal!!
Wow, they must all be in league. Just one big massive ... conspiracy?!?!
And don't get me started on those darn tabs!!! Tabs here, tabs there...TABS TABS TABS EVERYWHERE. DOWN WITH TABS I SAY!!!!! I don't even want to even see them on my manilla folders anymore. And no more buttons... only switches from now on. I want my desktop to look like a 60's stereo amplifier!! Just don't get me started on check-boxes!!! That'll really make me go postal!!
Unreal. They added the ribbon in 2007 knowing users would hate it
I always laugh when people qualify their own short-sightedness with vague terms like "users"; as if ALL people share their petty little gripes. Forget that even WordPad and Paint in Win7 now evolved to use the Ribbon because most users, once having gotten used to the Ribbon actually prefered it; forget that even other software devs are actually emulating it.. twerps like this who would rather like in the dark-age of hunting-and-pecking like to claim that "everyone" shares their opinion. That way they don't have to feel like the lonely little losers they really are!!
ohh...the marketing team at Microsoft is having big belly laughs at us fools.
I'm sure folks at Microsoft wanted something faster AND more aesthetically pleasing when they designed the Ribbon in the first place, and I have to agree that it works... up to a point. But this... this Backstage panel... I'm already dying to get my hands on a beta!!!
And as a bonus track, they couldn't take a better decision than including OneNote on every flavor of Office. That's a heck of an useful piece of software!
And as a bonus track, they couldn't take a better decision than including OneNote on every flavor of Office. That's a heck of an useful piece of software!
I think I'll go feed the cat. The dishes need washing too.
I'll know more when and if I get my hands on it.
I'll know more when and if I get my hands on it.
As a college instructor; the addition of OneNote and a completely customizeable Ribbon will greatly improve the functionality of Office.
If a decent translation package existed, we'd know about it, as I work in an International Organisation. The basic parameters of MS translation systems are not Industry standard, as they lack database comparatives for jargon, and so NO, NO, NO.
This will *not* happen, as Microsoft isn't in the mood to permit non-propriety types of data sources, but if they were smart, they'd make it such that you can use input from some source - which is in a given format.
If it turned out people weren't using the Microsoft resources, that might be a signal (to them that) they aren't as keen on themselves as they think. Then the issues develop re: self-improvement.
Otherwise, they have little to go with except for surveys. Surveys are largely the way - boat anchors (main- and mid-range) used to function: hardware was made to validate software and software was made to pass hardware. IOW, surveys have some skew to them.
Is there a reason why every survey / questionnaire which Measures Windows and Linux always favor Windows? Does this mean Windows is always the best or does Microsoft only publish the surveys which make them look superior?
It's a first cousin to situations where someone is on the news for doing something they will claim innocence. "Yeah yeah yeah -- but "WOULD YOU TELL US THE TRUTH IF YOU DID DO IT?""
If it turned out people weren't using the Microsoft resources, that might be a signal (to them that) they aren't as keen on themselves as they think. Then the issues develop re: self-improvement.
Otherwise, they have little to go with except for surveys. Surveys are largely the way - boat anchors (main- and mid-range) used to function: hardware was made to validate software and software was made to pass hardware. IOW, surveys have some skew to them.
Is there a reason why every survey / questionnaire which Measures Windows and Linux always favor Windows? Does this mean Windows is always the best or does Microsoft only publish the surveys which make them look superior?
It's a first cousin to situations where someone is on the news for doing something they will claim innocence. "Yeah yeah yeah -- but "WOULD YOU TELL US THE TRUTH IF YOU DID DO IT?""
...than how well-implemented the ones you have are.
In terms of creating "long" or "complex" documents, Word (and other word processors) have never been the equal of "Ventura" or similar DTP programs, which are often easier to use because they DON'T automate functions which are more simply done manually (such as formatting heading auto-numbering).
Microsoft needs to understand that few users take advantage of the "fancy" features, and indeed, are too bleeping lazy to learn the basic features. So it would behoove Microsoft to make sure that the features that are present are both easy to understand, and work in a "common-sense" manner. They might also improve their documentation, some of which is beneath contempt (ie, incomplete, gross errors, etc).
In terms of creating "long" or "complex" documents, Word (and other word processors) have never been the equal of "Ventura" or similar DTP programs, which are often easier to use because they DON'T automate functions which are more simply done manually (such as formatting heading auto-numbering).
Microsoft needs to understand that few users take advantage of the "fancy" features, and indeed, are too bleeping lazy to learn the basic features. So it would behoove Microsoft to make sure that the features that are present are both easy to understand, and work in a "common-sense" manner. They might also improve their documentation, some of which is beneath contempt (ie, incomplete, gross errors, etc).
Lets make MS Word as easy to use as a WISIWIG html editor.
How about implementing multi-part documents (or document
collections) with something more than the "file" dialog for navigating
between them, or enforced style sheets so that the "styles" menu is
still usable after several authors have attempted edits (and do we
really need to add the bolded version of a font to the style gallery)?
How about required use of style tags (heading 1, ETC) rather than
letting people define a document containing no structure but a lot of
different fonts which ends up looking like a ransom note? How about
self-adjusting table columns (which any HTML editor gives you)? How
about external style sheets so that when the company gets a New
Image (I.E. light blue becomes gray), everything changes at once?
Unfortunately Word (and Pages, and OpenOffice, and many of the
others) are still trapped in the "small single-author document to be
printed and forgotten" mindset.
How about implementing multi-part documents (or document
collections) with something more than the "file" dialog for navigating
between them, or enforced style sheets so that the "styles" menu is
still usable after several authors have attempted edits (and do we
really need to add the bolded version of a font to the style gallery)?
How about required use of style tags (heading 1, ETC) rather than
letting people define a document containing no structure but a lot of
different fonts which ends up looking like a ransom note? How about
self-adjusting table columns (which any HTML editor gives you)? How
about external style sheets so that when the company gets a New
Image (I.E. light blue becomes gray), everything changes at once?
Unfortunately Word (and Pages, and OpenOffice, and many of the
others) are still trapped in the "small single-author document to be
printed and forgotten" mindset.
I must be in the minority, but I don't like the ribbons... There
is a similar concept but better implemented in SolidWorks
called the command manager. They have a row of tabs
similar to a browser, above which you see each set of
commands icons or icons with text, your choice. Everything
is totally editable. Also, back to the ribbon, my guess is the
uneditability is to ease tech support but having to use drop
downs to get at commands I often use is a pain and slows
me down.
is a similar concept but better implemented in SolidWorks
called the command manager. They have a row of tabs
similar to a browser, above which you see each set of
commands icons or icons with text, your choice. Everything
is totally editable. Also, back to the ribbon, my guess is the
uneditability is to ease tech support but having to use drop
downs to get at commands I often use is a pain and slows
me down.
This is going to be the selling feature for me. The other features/updates shown in the preview leave me unimpressed. The customizable ribbon may create more support headaches as people delete/add/move things around and then can't find something anymore.
But to be able to translate something on the fly like that will be a great boon if you're working in more than one language.
But to be able to translate something on the fly like that will be a great boon if you're working in more than one language.
This is the way forward and nobody does it better than microsoft.
2007 had several shades of light blue with dark blue letters on pastel backgrounds. This is no beter. The total lack of contrast (Ligh gray background with dark gray text is absolutely terrible for colorblind people or someone with poor vision. Contrast is important! Give us contrast!!!!
2007 had several shades of light blue with dark blue letters on pastel backgrounds. This 2010 is no better. The total lack of contrast (Ligh gray background with dark gray text is absolutely terrible for colorblind people or someone with poor vision. Contrast is important! Give us contrast!!!! You gave us choices in Office 95, 97. 200, and 2003. Why not now?
PS - I don't want Office to look like a Mac... I want it to look like Office 2003.
PS - I don't want Office to look like a Mac... I want it to look like Office 2003.
Is it faster? We have heard nothing but complaints about the speed of 2007 (esp Outlook) but very cool video editing in PowerPoint and the ribbon throughout Outlook. In 2007 it was almost like they forgot OL.
i will definitely be looking at office 2010.
i hope they fixed the avery 5160 labels merge bug.
i hope they fixed the avery 5160 labels merge bug.
NO, just say NO!
People are still having compatibility problems between
2007 and 2003, most of the world CANNOT afford to
upgrade. It's time Microsoft started giving back to the
world what it already takes on a grand scale.
Just another green Banana with some superficial changes,
and probably needs the new 6 core processor just to run.
People are still having compatibility problems between
2007 and 2003, most of the world CANNOT afford to
upgrade. It's time Microsoft started giving back to the
world what it already takes on a grand scale.
Just another green Banana with some superficial changes,
and probably needs the new 6 core processor just to run.
Maybe now my company will buy some used copies of office 2007 to upgrade us from 2003 LOL!
I just want to know if they have made excel work like word when
you open multiple documents. I.e. That youget multiple instances
of excel rather than multiple windows locked into on excel. Very
annoying.
you open multiple documents. I.e. That youget multiple instances
of excel rather than multiple windows locked into on excel. Very
annoying.
God, I sure hope they have fixed the Mail-Merge feature so that it becomes intuitively obvious to infrequent/casual users. Microsoft is not know for making thing work in an intuitive manner. (While I don't want to sound like a Luddite, WordPerfect 5.0 for DOS's Mail-Merge was such a dream to use...and it worked!)
It's interesting that some folks are pretty much
determined to find faults even before they appear.
Thoughtful, constructive criticism builds toward the
future. Scornful cynicism... well I suppose some find
it amusing. IN this small preview, I saw some rather
attractive new features I would like to see
implemented. However, if there is a manufacturer of
perfect software out there in the known universe,
please post it forthwith so we can stop MS-bashing and
find a new hobby for our spare time. We'll have untold
amounts of it because the perfect productivity
software will not only document our professional work
in every respect, but do our thinking as well. We
won't have to contemplate any further improvements,
because perfection is, well, perfection.
determined to find faults even before they appear.
Thoughtful, constructive criticism builds toward the
future. Scornful cynicism... well I suppose some find
it amusing. IN this small preview, I saw some rather
attractive new features I would like to see
implemented. However, if there is a manufacturer of
perfect software out there in the known universe,
please post it forthwith so we can stop MS-bashing and
find a new hobby for our spare time. We'll have untold
amounts of it because the perfect productivity
software will not only document our professional work
in every respect, but do our thinking as well. We
won't have to contemplate any further improvements,
because perfection is, well, perfection.
Perfection has already been found in the 20C and it appears to be Linux and a bad copy of Office 97.
Stop looking for improvements or research into business software, essentially Wordstar and Visicalc had it all. Lower your expectations and learn to love mediocrity.
Translate stuff by pointing to it! Obviously no-one needs that as everone speaks American
Some great new features, already sold on Office 2007 and looking forward to 2010.
Stop looking for improvements or research into business software, essentially Wordstar and Visicalc had it all. Lower your expectations and learn to love mediocrity.
Translate stuff by pointing to it! Obviously no-one needs that as everone speaks American
Some great new features, already sold on Office 2007 and looking forward to 2010.
This is an incremental set of changes that fix or remove problems in the 2007 Office. The new stuff is better laid out and this is going to make moving to open source or other less than polished applications much harder to do.
The preview fails to mention what if any substantive changes may be found in the core applications, such as EXCEL, ACCESS, OUTLOOK, etc.
After reading this preview, I see NO compelling reason to upgrade from 2003.
Perhaps if another or same writer can get past the obvious and discusses the improved functionality of the applications, features that increase productivity, and how the user actually benefits, the potential client may see the value in upgrading.
For example, show us how we benefit from improvements in common daily tasks in OUTLOOK; show us how we benefit from using EXCEL's formulas, pivot tables, charts, analysis tools, data-base functions, macros, etc; show us how we benefit in ACCESS when we develop database, querry database, import-export data, etc.
Please offer more than just eye-candy
After reading this preview, I see NO compelling reason to upgrade from 2003.
Perhaps if another or same writer can get past the obvious and discusses the improved functionality of the applications, features that increase productivity, and how the user actually benefits, the potential client may see the value in upgrading.
For example, show us how we benefit from improvements in common daily tasks in OUTLOOK; show us how we benefit from using EXCEL's formulas, pivot tables, charts, analysis tools, data-base functions, macros, etc; show us how we benefit in ACCESS when we develop database, querry database, import-export data, etc.
Please offer more than just eye-candy
Yup, I'm afraid I have to agree with MILONYC's post.
I'm fed up with the Microsoft-Apple "let's compete on look'n'feel" battle that's been waged of late. Where's all the important/useful/relevant improvements? There must be some! And what about standards, compatibility and interoperability?
And am I alone in disliking the "Ribbon"?
What a mierable, whinging, old laggard I must be. I'll be sticking with Office 2003 too, methinks ... and OpenOffice on my second machine(!).
I'm fed up with the Microsoft-Apple "let's compete on look'n'feel" battle that's been waged of late. Where's all the important/useful/relevant improvements? There must be some! And what about standards, compatibility and interoperability?
And am I alone in disliking the "Ribbon"?
What a mierable, whinging, old laggard I must be. I'll be sticking with Office 2003 too, methinks ... and OpenOffice on my second machine(!).
One fundamental thing is missing - a Office 97 lookalike button to get rid of all that land area that is occupied by the ribbon - so much information you cannot see the wood for the trees and it takes longer to do simple things - as with the disastrous UI that was Office 2007. Sorry - Open Office for me. This is where I depart totally from Microsoft now that they have no idea what should be in a GUI. I tried to talk a pensioner computer newby through Vista and Office 2007 recently. My advice - get your money back and buy a Mac or install Ubuntu because Windows will give you nothing but grief having to phone people up with questions all the time. Human Factors - ergonomics for the user, not confuse the hell out of them and give them everything!
Agree also - looks like a 'generation game animation' (what's next? a fondu set, a cuddly toy, a bowl of fruit, but how do I sagve? oh I get it alt-fs like before) - pathetic and makes everything look unprofessional and like a children's toy. Open-Office here I come.
If Microsoft thought the upgrade lag from Office 97 was bad, the Ribbon UI is going to hold back the majority of baby boomers and older members of the workforce in Office 2003 (and that God awful task pane).
I've tried to like the ribbon because a number of commenters have said that once you get over the learning curve you will love it. But I keep going back to my computer with Office 2000 on it whenever I need to be really productive. I'm starting to think a lot of the ribbon lovers are just Microsoft staffers trying to put a positive spin on perpetrating such a colossal mistake on the company's flagship product. That being said, the ability to customize the ribbon may allow me to make it less obtrusive and much more concise, so there's still hope.
I can't get a feel for it either, it's anti-
intuitive. I don't understand why they didnt
think about allowing us to customize it before.
I guess Microsoft was stupid enough to think if we
just force everyone to use they'll shut up like
they did with Vista.
intuitive. I don't understand why they didnt
think about allowing us to customize it before.
I guess Microsoft was stupid enough to think if we
just force everyone to use they'll shut up like
they did with Vista.
I haven't gotten used to Office 2007 as yet, and I see this is no better. My biggest complaint about the ribbon is that it takes up way too much desktop real estate. For the most part, I'm going to continue using Office XP, or failing that, OpenOffice.
Is this feature available in 2007? If so, must have
missed it.. please share the details!
missed it.. please share the details!
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