Are you considering “adventuring” with Office 2007 because you’ve “heard” that the new software has a pretty and convenient interface? Please refer to the following insights, excerpted from TechWeb magazine, before you decide to install the beta version of Office 2007.
1. Download Microsoft Office
The Office 2007 beta 2 is still available for download, while Windows Vista has expired as of last Friday. With a size of about 550 MB, and especially considering the quality of the internet connection in Vietnam, it’s best to purchase an external installation CD.
2. Usage Period
The expiration date for this trial version is February 1, 2007. After this date, the trial will still function, but many features will be disabled.
It is also possible that Microsoft will extend the deadline, so keep an eye out for updates to use it longer.
3. Be Cautious with the Default File Format
Office 2007 saves files in the default format of Open XML for web documents and OpenDocument Format for stored documents. These formats are not supported by Office 2003 (the first version), so be careful when saving documents with Office 2007. It can be very troublesome if you’re not cautious.
Solution: Upgrade to the latest patches for Office 2003 to support viewing XML and ODF files. Alternatively, you can change the default save format of Office 2007 after installation.
4. Be Patient with the New User Interface (UI)
The user interface is one of the most significant upgrades in Office 2007; however, preliminary surveys show that many people are uncomfortable with this new interface.
So, you should be cautious when installing Office 2007. Prepare yourself to embrace the new features, as it may take time to adjust to the new tools, potentially interrupting your work.
5. Research the Error List Before Installation
Testing means searching for what you do not know. Therefore, take a close look at what others have listed as issues with Office 2007. You can download this document here.