Should I purchase Excel 2007?

[nbarnard]

I recently purchased a new laptop for my wife to go back to school using. I have MS Office 2000 currently on my home computer. I was going to also install it on my laptop (not sure if you can even do such a thing) - but we were given a 60-day "free trial" for MS Office 2007.

I was in a training with Mr Excel this past year and recall him saying to wait until the "next version" is out.

I was just wondering how long that may be and if I should just purchase 2007, as my wife will most likely need this package when she goes back to school in the near future...

your thoughts are appreciated - thanks in advance!!!

 

[taigovinda]

I think it depends on what everyone else is using at school. As far as I know, most use 2003 which is near identical to 2000 but very different from 2007.

If she is the only one using 2007, there won't be much point to having it...For instance, at work my group has 2007 but the rest of the company runs 2003. My computer has both but any time I want to share anything outside of the group it has to fit within the limitation of 2003. I use 2003 99% of the time.

Short answer: don't bother. Just my opinion.

 

[mvptomlinson]

The next version will be Office 2010, which will most likely be released in, well, 2010. It will have some improvements and fixes over Office 2007. (http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/)

I've used 2007 for over a year now, and like it more than 2003. Reviews are mixed, as you've probably seen, mostly due to the design of the Ribbon UI. I find it's easier to get to more tools than using the old menu-driven system, or hiding/un-hiding toolbars. To each their own, of course. It's not going away though.

If you don't want to purchase Office 2007 (you can get the Home & Student edition for about $150 which includes Word, Excel and Powerpoint), you might look into using OpenOffice. It is a free (open source) alternative to MS Office, and can view/save files in office formats (including the new formats). It doesn't do 100% of what MS Office can do, but for student/daily use it will meet many people's needs.

 

[nbarnard]

Thanks MVP - we may try the free route...give it a go with nothing to lose

 

[Von Pookie]

I would say to check with your wife for details before you do anything. Finding out what version she will be using at school would be a good starting point.

Otherwise, if that doesn't matter I would say whatever version she's more comfortable with. Learning/getting adjusted to 2007 would be a good thing, though. For instance, where my mother works, they used 2003 until earlier this year. I found out they were going to update to 2007 and asked my mom if she would like me to get 2007 on her machine at home so she could 'get used to it' before she had to use it at work all the time.

 

[dave3009]

You can install that old copy of Office 2000 but beware that you are technically in breach of your licence. Please review all documentation so you know your apparent risk.

I like Office 2007 and I do recommend it. The Office 2010 new features may not be all that relevant to casual users so if you're planning a step go early.

You say you wife is going to school. Microsoft heavily support students and teachers so go grab a bargain if you can find one.

 

[RoryA]

If your wife is not an experienced Excel user already, it may be that she will like the Ribbon interface. (from what I've heard, it seems that most of the feedback from inexperienced users is positive - it's the experienced users who mostly hate the Ribbon!)
Either way, we'll all have to get used to it eventually, so unless you can wait until next year for Office2010, you might as well get 2007.

 

[Robert Mika]

I would recommend Office 2007.
I have been using it for over a year and now when looking for something in older version I'm thinking how "crapy" Excel was before the ribbon.
If you like straight simple interface go for 2007.
Office 2010 will come next week but, predictable will be more expensive than Office 2007.
There are some new features but probably not much needed for everyday use.
If you can get the 60 days free trial of 2007, just try.

 

[taigovinda]

If you are experienced in 2003 already, you can get an add-in for about $15 that will provide the 2003 menu within the 2007 program.

I haven't used it and don't know the name off the top of my head, but I remember reading about it and it sounded like there are a couple versions and they work as advertised.

 

[Macropod]

You can install that old copy of Office 2000 but beware that you are technically in breach of your licence.

AFAIK, the Office 2000 EULA allows Office Professional to be installed on both a desktop PC and a laptop, or on two laptops and the educational version allows installation on up to 3 PCs. That's certainly the case with Office 2007.

You can, of course, install both Office 2000 and Office 2007 on the same PC. Just install Office 2000 first. Also be aware that Outlook 2000 isn't fully supported on Vista (for workarounds, see: http://www.outlook-tips.net/howto/vista.htm), but you wouldn't want both that and the 2007 version installed together anyway.