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Posts Tagged ‘ Word ’

Microsoft unveils try-before-buy Mac Office

By Fei on January 27, 2011

By Gregg Keizer
January 27, 2011

FRAMINGHAM – Four months after it debuted Office for Mac 2001, Microsoft on Tuesday launched the first free trial of the application suite.

The trial version of Office for Mac Home and Business 2011 includes fully-functional versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, the suite’s word processor, spreadsheet, presentation manager and e-mail client.

Users can run the trial edition for 30 days.

Microsoft has used try-before-you-buy for its Mac Office before; two years ago it offered a 30-day trial for Office for Mac 2008.

However, Microsoft lets Mac OS X users run Office through its paces only half as long as it does Windows customers. The consumer and enterprise trial editions of Office 2010 , which requires Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7, are valid for 60 days.

When the month-long trial of Office for Mac expires, customers must purchase a product activation key by buying a boxed copy of the suite or obtaining a key via online purchase.

The latter will be less expensive.

Amazon.com, for example, sells the single-license Office for Mac Home and Students 2011 for $99.99, $20 off Microsoft’s price, and the three-license edition for $124.25, a $25.74 discount.

The more expensive Home and Business 2011 — the only version that includes Outlook — runs $174.99 for a single license, $228.43 for a two-license pack on Amazon, a savings of $25 and $51.56, respectively.

Alternatives to Microsoft’s suite include the for-free OpenOffice.org and the just-released LibreOffice , as well as Apple’s own iWork bundle.

iWork, which costs $79 but costs $66.55 on Amazon.com, is also the only suite of the four that can be purchased on Apple’s Mac App Store, the iPhone e-mart doppelganger that opened earlier this month . In the Mac App Store, Apple sells the three iWork applications — Pages, Numbers and Keynote — for $19.99 each. Mac App Store software can be installed on up to five personal machines.

Last year, when Apple first announced the Mac App Store, Microsoft said only that its Mac group was “working to understand the impact of the new app store,” but would not commit to trying that distribution channel for Office.

The 890MB Office for Mac trial can be downloaded from Microsoft’s Web site after providing a name and e-mail address.

Also this week, Microsoft’s development team dodged customer questions about whether they would add OneNote to Office for Mac.

Last week, Microsoft released an iPhone version of OneNote . The app, however, is of little use to Mac owners, who lack a desktop version for creating notebooks – something impossible on the iPhone — or synchronizing notes. Instead, they must use the Web-based OneNote.

“No, we don’t have any updates outside of the new [Office for Mac] 2011 suite which includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook,” the Microsoft Mac team said on Twitter in response to questions about a possible OneNote on the Mac.

Make a List of Files

By Fei on November 8, 2010

By Lincoln Spector
November 8, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO – Daves99 asked the Office & Business Software forum how to insert file names into a worksheet or document.

If you want to copy one or two file names, select the file, press F2 to edit the file name, CTRL-a to select all the text, CTRL-c to copy it to the clipboard, and ESC to stop editing the file name. You can then paste the file name wherever you want it.

To grab the names of all the files in a folder, start by launching a command line window at that folder. Here’s how:

If you’re using XP, select Start, All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt. At the prompt, type cd and the path to the folder you want printed. In typing the path, you can abbreviate “C:\Documents and Settings\logon (where logon is the name you log on with) to %userprofile%. In other words, instead of “C:\Documents and Settings\Dave\My Documents,” simply type “%userprofile%\my documents”.

This is easier with Vista and Windows 7. Navigate Windows Explorer to the folder above one you want. In the right pane, hold down SHIFT as you right-click the folder you want to copy from and select Open Command Window Here.

Once you’re at the right location, type dir /b > dir.txt and press ENTER. (If you want file details as well as names, skip the /b part.) This creates a text file, dir.txt, with your directory listing.

You can load a .txt file into Word or Excel. Or you can double-click it to load it into Notepad, where you can copy it’s contents and paste them into just about any program.

Make Docx files open in Word, not Works

By Fei on June 18, 2010

By Rick Broida
June 18, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO – Reader Marvin says that every time he double-clicks a Docx file (Docx is the default file format for Word 2007), it opens in Microsoft Works. How can he remedy this “extreme irritation”?

This fairly common problem is the result of an application–in this case Works–telling Windows that it is the default program for opening a certain file type, even though you didn’t ask it to. In other words, Works stole the file association for Docx files.

This commonly occurs with music files and photos as well. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to restore a stolen file association. Here’s how:

1. Right-click any Docx file, mouse over Open with, and then choose Choose Default program. (Note: I’m describing Windows 7. If I recall my XP and Vista properly, you need to hold down the Shift key while right-clicking the icon, otherwise you won’t see the Open with option.)

2. You should see Word in the list of Recommended Programs. Click it, and then make sure there’s a check in the box marked Always use the selected program to open this kind of file.

3. Click OK and you’re done! The document will open in Word, and all subsequent Docx files you open should do likewise.

This same procedure will resolve just about any file-association issue you’re having–unless the file in question doesn’t open in any program. In that instance, check out Lincoln Spector’s Reassign a Lost Association.

Microsoft Hits The Road To Pimp Windows 7, Office 2010

By Fei on April 29, 2010

By Jeff Bertolucci
April 29, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO – Sometimes it’s lonely in IT. Your organization used to upgrade all the time–well, at least at regular intervals–but now it’s a rare occurrence. Technology has moved on, but you’re stuck in the 2000s, running Windows XP and maybe even Microsoft Office 2003. Redmond feels your pain, and it’s taking a road trip to ignite change, upgrade the nation’s Windows desktops and servers, and maybe sell some software in the process.

The Get On The Bus Tour is a 10-city excursion that runs from May 21 to June 4. Starting in Montreal, it’ll proceed down the U.S. East Coast on its way toward Microsoft’s Tech-Ed 2010 show, which starts June 7 in New Orleans. The event will preach the Windows 7 gospel to IT types still mired in the Windows XP-era. Attendees will receive a heavy dose of Office 2010 propaganda too. Microsoft’s latest productivity suite is slated to ship in June, and the Bus Tour is strategically timed to coincide with Office’s official launch.
All Aboard

Bus Tour sessions will focus on the numerous upgrades in security, performance, and end-user training that come with Windows 7 and Office 2010. Given the successful launch of Windows 7, which has benefitted from a recent surge in PC sales, Microsoft’s biggest Tour challenge may be to convince enterprise users that Office 2010 is worth an upgrade.

Why? Because productivity suites are a mature market. Office’s core apps–Word, Excel, and PowerPoint–may learn a few new tricks with each upgrade, but dramatic improvements are hard to come by. And Microsoft faces an up-and-coming challenger in Google Docs, a cloud-based suite that offers some impressive collaboration tools, even though it can’t match Office’s powerful and time-tested set of features.

Microsoft’s giving away 50 copies of Windows 7 Ultimate for the first 50 groupies, er, attendees at every stop.

Microsoft Office 2010 Technology Guarantee: FAQ

By Fei on March 10, 2010

By Ian Paul
March 10, 2010

SAN FRANCISCO – Thinking about purchasing Microsoft Office, but you want to wait until Office 2010 comes out of beta? Don’t bother; just pick up a copy of Office 2007 between now and September 30, and you’ll be eligible to get a free upgrade to Office 2010, thanks to Microsoft’s Technology Guarantee Program.

Microsoft apparently reconsidered its upgrade policy, after announcing in January that upgrade editions would not be offered for Office 2010. The Technology Guarantee Program has some restrictions, however, so here’s the breakdown of everything you need to know to get your free upgrade.

Who is eligible for the Tech Guarantee?

To be eligible you have to purchase the complete Microsoft Office 2007 or single programs from the productivity suite between now and September 30, 2010. Purchases must be for a new copy of Office 2007 bought from Microsoft or an authorized reseller, and can be standalone purchases or bundled with the purchase of a new PC.

Who is not eligible?

This is a promotional offer for home users only. You are not eligible if you have Office 2007 through a volume license (typically business owners with five computers or more); promotional or not-for-resale copies; or bought Office 2007 through the Home Use Rights or Student Select programs. Students, however, are advised to check with their retailer as you may be eligible for an Office 2010 upgrade through that store.

I bought a copy of Office 2007 on eBay. Does it qualify?

No. Microsoft says, “eBay sellers or sellers reselling used product are not authorized retailers,” and therefore products purchased this way are not eligible for the Tech Guarantee.

What are the deadlines?

You have to purchase and activate your copy of Office 2007 by September 30, 2010 to be eligible for the upgrade. You also have to request your Office 2010 Tech Guarantee upgrade by October 31, 2010.

What are the Office 2010 Tech Guarantee limitations?

This is a straight up trade. You only get one Office 2010 suite for every corresponding Office 2007 product. However, some versions of Office 2010 have added new programs, such as OneNote, that weren’t a part of the corresponding 2007 suite. you can see complete details below.

Also, you can only get 25 Tech Guarantee upgrades per person. Microsoft has this restriction to encourage users with larger needs to sign up for volume licensing deals.

There are no refunds for Office 2010 software ordered through the Tech Guarantee program.

What do I need?

When it comes time to redeem your Office 2010 upgrade you will need to know the date of purchase for your copy of Office 2007, your Office 2007 25-character Product ID and a Windows Live account (if you don’t have a Windows Live ID you will be prompted to create one). Microsoft also advises you to hold onto your receipt as proof of purchase for Office 2007, since Microsoft may ask for information from your sales bill.

Why do I need a Windows Live ID?

Microsoft says it will be storing your Office 2010 Product Key through your Windows Live ID in case you need to download Office 2010 a second time.

How do I get my Office 2010 Upgrade?

You can download Office 2010 as soon as it’s commercially available in June. Make sure you’ve activated your copy of Office 2007, and then visit Microsoft’s Office 2010 Technology Guarantee Website to download the upgrade. You can also request a DVD for a fee if you prefer not to install your upgrade through the Internet. Microsoft hasn’t said how much it will cost to get the upgrade DVD.

Make sure you sign up for an e-mail reminder here (click on “Sign up for a reminder” button) so you won’t miss out on the Office 2010 deal.

What version of Office 2010 do I get for my copy of Office 2007?

You get the corresponding version of Office 2010 to your Office 2007 suite. Home and Student 2007 users get Home and Student 2010 . Office 2007 Standard and Basic users will get Home and Business 2010. Small Business, Professional and Ultimate users get Office Professional 2010.

Check out the included chart, to see a complete list of Office 2007 to 2010 upgrades.

Which programs are in each version of the Office 2010 suite?

Microsoft Office Professional 2010: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access and Publisher.

Microsoft Office Home and Business 2010: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook.

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

All suites include the 2010 version of each program.

Microsoft Could Make the iPad a Great Business Tool

By Fei on February 4, 2010

By Bill Snyder
February 4, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO – Apple has made a bone-head play that damages the iPad’s potential for business. But, Microsoft, believe it or not, could come to the rescue. Here’s why:

Apple put iWork–not a great tool to begin with–on the iPad. It’s better than nothing, but while iWork can read Microsoft Office formats, it can’t be set to save DOC files by default. What a mistake. While Apple’s home and student customers may be fine with this annoying limitation, business users can’t be endlessly exporting documents to share with colleagues and customers. Unless Apple makes this important change to iWork on the iPad, the forthcoming tablet will be a good device to view written content, but will fall flat when it comes to creating it.

But suppose Microsoft (hold the boos, please) decided there was money to be made here, and created a version of Office for the tablet? Given the relative lack of storage and so on, iPad Office couldn’t be full-featured, but since most of us only use a fraction of Office’s capabilities, that wouldn’t be a show stopper. In fact, we’d have a device that would be useful for small business, and would probably cut deeply into sales of netbooks.

Apple has some additional work to do as well. If the iPad is to become the super-light computing device of choice, it has to support a full-featured browser, and that means supporting Flash. Whether Apple likes it or not, Flash is ubiquitous, and going to a Web site and getting that annoying error message and chunk of blank screen is a bummer.

Google Docs and ZOHO: Online But Not Offline

Am I serious about Microsoft stepping in? Yes, it would be a great idea, and it would make money for Microsoft. But I’d be surprised if Ballmer & Co. had the imagination to make that move. So, I don’t expect it to happen, at least not immediately.

But there are alternatives, albeit limited, you can likely use as soon as the iPad hits the stores.

Google Docs would probably run fairly well on the iPad, but there are two caveats. The first has to do with screen real estate, the second with Google Gears.

When the iPad is in the editing or writing mode, a virtual keyboard pops up, making it hard to see the tools you need to write and edit a document. You might be able to work around this issue, but it would certainly slow you down.

More serious, I think, is the lack of support for Google Gears, which is necessary to run Google docs offline. Without that capability, there’s no way to work on documents on an airplane, for example, which is a mighty big downside. When Google and the somewhat similar ZOHO are used offline, they can later be synched with the cloud versions, ensuring that you have the current versions of your documents. (Thanks to Harry McCracken of Technologizer for mentioning these points to me.)

ZOHO also needs Google gears to work offline. However, since the Safari browser already supports parts of the developing HTML 5 standard, it shouldn’t be too long until ZOHO, and likely Google, will work offline on the iPad, says Raju Vegesna, ZOHO’s chief evangelist.
HTML 5 is expected to reduce or even eliminate the need for the many of the plugins needed today by browsers. Indeed, HTML 5, which is strongly backed by Apple, should ultimately make the Flash-support issue disappear, Vegesna says. But how long that will take is unclear.

QuickOffice and Roambi Could Help

Then there’s QuickOffice, a nifty little app that runs on the iPhone and a number of its competitors. It gives basic editing capabilities to use with Word and Excel documents, and allows you to view (but not edit) PowerPoints.

Clearly, that’s not the way you want to work all the time, but I find QuickOffice helpful even when used on the small iPhone screen. It should be quite a bit better after the company tweaks its app to take advantage of the comparatively huge iPad. That should happen by the time the tablet reaches consumers, the company told me on Monday.

Roambi produces colorful charts and graphs from your spreadsheets and business intelligence reports, making complex data readable on the small iPhone screen, so it should work on the iPad. The processing occurs on Roambi’s secure server. Like QuickOffice, it is available from the iTunes app store.