Excel Spreadsheet

[Jim Nickerson]

This is not a "rant or rave," but rather a question seeking a rant or a rave.

Surely someone who has used earlier versions of Microsoft Excel must now being using the 2007 release, which I think must be version 12.

Does anyone have strong feelings one way or the other about the newest version?

I was looking at it the other day--just the new format it uses for menus, and being the old fart that I am, I was immediately turned off with regard to the time I would expend learning where everything is.

Anyone, any opinions?

[bart]

Re: Excel Spreadsheet

I'm not happy about the new structure and the ribbon interface either, especially since there's no option to revert to the old style. But there are two after market products that will bring them back after a fashion. They're lightly reviewed at http://www.mrexcel.com/classicexcelmenu.html

I'll likely upgrade later this year or early next year since the log chart facilities are much improved.

[zoog]

Re: Excel Spreadsheet

I'm not happy about the new structure and the ribbon interface either, especially since there's no option to revert to the old style. But there are two after market products that will bring them back after a fashion. They're lightly reviewed at http://www.mrexcel.com/classicexcelmenu.html

I'll likely upgrade later this year or early next year since the log chart facilities are much improved.

Funny, I was going to post that link.

I have not used the new version, but in general I am nonplussed when software companies totally rework the interface. I equate it with "now with more flavor crystals!"... a cheap gimmick to convince consumers to "upgrade" to the latest version whether or not there are actually any added useful features or fixes. Although in this case it sounds like bart has found an improvement he likes.

[Jim Nickerson]

Re: Excel Spreadsheet

I'm not happy about the new structure and the ribbon interface either, especially since there's no option to revert to the old style. But there are two after market products that will bring them back after a fashion. They're lightly reviewed at http://www.mrexcel.com/classicexcelmenu.html

I'll likely upgrade later this year or early next year since the log chart facilities are much improved.

Bart, you are the guy for whom I was fishing. I suspected you would know something worthwhile, and versus PriMessing you, I'd let anyone desirous benefit from what you might know.

Thanks, the link seems very worthwhile.

Anybody else know anything? Please chime in.

[Finster]

Re: Excel Spreadsheet

This is not a "rant or rave," but rather a question seeking a rant or a rave.

Surely someone who has used earlier versions of Microsoft Excel must now being using the 2007 release, which I think must be version 12.

Does anyone have strong feelings one way or the other about the newest version?

I was looking at it the other day--just the new format it uses for menus, and being the old fart that I am, I was immediately turned off with regard to the time I would expend learning where everything is.

Anyone, any opinions?

Yes. I've used at least the Excel 3, 4, 95, 97 and 2000 versions, and at least a couple later versions at the office. Here at home I still use 95, even though it has been considerable trouble not to "upgrade". Why? Later versions added two feaures I like. The Merge Cells feature and the ability to label the vertical axis on log charts in increments less than whole powers of ten. Virtually everything else was a huge step backwards. In at least one of them activating Help sent the screen into spasms as the work area shrunk off to one side. Then there was "Clippy". The general bloatware syndrome. On a Pentium 4 Excel 95 opens instantly, and is overall light and snappy. The menus are stable; you can go back to the same place and find the same thing where you remembered it. I haven't used 2007 personally, but unless they slimmed it down and tightened it up a lot (not on your life), I'll stick with my "un-upgraded" 95, thank you.

[jk]

Re: Excel Spreadsheet

i use '97.