What are the general differences between Microsoft Office 2003 and Office 2007 (GUI interface, new features)?

[steppinthrax]

Just curious if anybody can give me some list etc...

 

[MrChad]

The biggest differences are the completely revamped user interface and the new Office XML document format.

The user interface is hit or miss with most people. It is a dramatic change from past versions, so it will require you to "re-learn" the application to an extent. Once you've used it for a while, though, I think it's much more intuitive and well-organized than past versions.

The new document format has some advantages (it is an "open standard" and thus theoretically will have better interoperability with non-Microsoft apps). Still, it's not widely adopted yet, and I find myself using the older 97-2003 formats more often than the new formats.

 

[EarthwormJim]

I sorta like the new interface.

For awhile I may stumble, looking for whatever it is I need in the menu, then I just pause and think "Where is the most logical place for xx to be?" and that's where it usually is.

 

[CrookBloke]

In addition to agreeing about the improved (IMO) quality of the user interface for the core apps (but not Outlook) and the new document formats, I'd say that Office 2007 applications are more robust and less crash-prone than the Office 2003 apps. This is especially true for me on WinXP. Haven't had much trouble from either one under Vista.

 

[GrumpyMan]

I like 2007 much better than 2003. It's much more customizable as far as I'm concerned and more robust. There is a learning curve as far as the new layout is concerned, but if you've used Office for years, it's no big deal.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Is the new XML format open? If so I would think that should ensure better document compatibility with other programs, like openoffice correct? Hopefully that would mean fewer formatting differences when using files in both programs.

 

[Kate724]

I hate, hate, hate it!

I work on Word all day and have for years. In our office, we use 03 except for one machine which has 07 and everyone avoids it like a disease. We save everything in the older format. I think it was a stupid move especially for businesses. A busy office has little time to relearn everything over. It is far more than a 'learning curve.'

Kate

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Is the new XML format open?

Microsoft Office 2007 uses Office Open XML

Microsoft irrevocably promises ?not to assert any Microsoft Necessary [Patent] Claims against you for making, using, selling, offering for sale, importing or distributing any implementation to the extent it conforms to a Covered Specification ("Covered Implementation")?

 

[corkyg]

I can appreciate Kate's comments. I presently am involved in teaching Microsoft Word to a group of seniors - and we are using Word 2003 in the classroom.

Several of the students have new computers which came bundled with Word 2007, and I have found it challenging to clrrelate the new with the old for them.

For a beginner, the new 2007 version is possibly easier. Each tab brings up a dedicated set of ribbons which are fairly easy to use.

2007

I taught myself the new layout in about a week of use. It is not difficult, but I can see that it would be a problem in an office environment.

My suggestion would be, in such a situation, put the newbies on the 2007 machine and leave the vets to their 2003 - until such time as they are able to try instead of cry.

One nice thing about 2007 is the ability to choose between 3 color themes. The black and gray are nice and easy to read.

 

[NeoV]

Excel no longer has a row limit, which is nice

new menus do take a bit of getting used to - but thankfully they left the keyboard shortcuts in place for most things

 

[nitsuj3580]

The interface on Office 2007 is really growing on me.

My biggest beef is compatibility between PowerPoint 2003 and 2007. I made a big presentation on PowerPoint 2007, saved it to a 2003 compatible file format, opened it up with PowerPoint 2003 and everything was all messed up. Mainly fonts were different colors or randomly bolded. The presentation wasn't anything complicated.