Office 2010 offers better navigation, sharing options
PC Magazine likes Microsoft Office 2010. In its recent review, the magazine stated, “Office 2010 is Office 2007, only better.” Pros cited include, “More informative, consistent interface. Improved navigation. Improved image-enhancement and typographic tools. Tighter OneNote integration.”
With the caveat that it’s not a compelling upgrade for Office 2007 users (but probably is for 2003 and earlier version users), the magazine goes on to say, “…deeply impressed by the many ways Microsoft has improved on the solid foundation of Office 2007. The now-familiar Ribbon interface gets a few tweaks in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and is now visible throughout Outlook.”
Other benefits identified by PC Magazine over its 2007 predecessor are:
- Improved SharePoint collaboration;
- Expanded picture and photo editing options;
- Less-cluttered, more visually appealing ribbon and background;
- Ability in Word, Excel and PowerPoint to recover an unsaved, closed document.
Microsoft complements the above-mentioned advantages with its own list of benefits. Highlights include:
- Getting more done working together. Microsoft notes, “Brainstorm ideas, provide better version control, and meet deadlines faster when you work in groups. The co-authoring experience for Microsoft® Word 2010, Microsoft PowerPoint 2010, Microsoft® Excel Web App and Microsoft OneNote shared notebooks let you work on a file with several people at once – even from different locations.”
- Better portability. Microsoft touts location-independent ability to communicate and address other mobile work issues. This includes ability to store Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote files online, then view/edit/share content through the Web. Office 2010 also offers enhanced mobile versions compatible with a Windows Mobile-equipped smartphone.
- Easier email management. A new Quick Steps feature enables performing multiple commands, such as replying and deleting, using a single click.
- Presentation sharing. Broadcast a PowerPoint presentation to a remote audience through a Web browser. PowerPoint doesn’t need to be installed for recipients to view it.
Microsoft Office 2010 is getting positive reviews for building upon the features and benefits of Office 2007. The decision to upgrade rests in large part on what program is currently installed, and what advanced Office 2010 functionality users are likely to access.
If you’re currently using Office 2007 and need only basic word processing, you may opt to stay put. If, however, you’re using older software and/or your needs are becoming more advanced, consider Office 2010 as a potential solution.
Tags: Microsoft Software, Office 2010
