Filed under: Windows, Office, Microsoft, Mobile, Web
Office 2010 introduced, now with web applications
by Brad Linder Jul 13th 2009 at 8:45AM
Update: It looks like the Microsoft Office 2010 technical preview page is now live, and Microsoft will start rolling the preview out to a limited set of beta testers.
So here's what we know:
Web apps
For the first time, Office will include online versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote. What's more, they're free. Sure, these web apps won't offer all the bells and whistles that you get with the full desktop versions, but Microsoft finally has an answer to Google Docs, Zoho Docs, and other online office suites. The company's previous strategy had essentially to give desktop Office users some online storage and collaboration tools. But nothing fights free like free.
The web apps work with Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari.
Desktop apps
The desktop applications have also received a slew of updates, although for some reason Microsoft still thinks the ribbon UI is a good idea. Desktop application users will be able to publish documents to the web or save them to the desktop. Here are some of the other highlights:
The Windows Mobile versions of Office applications have also been updated. Outlook Mobile now includes the conversation email view available in the desktop version. There's also a mobile document viewer that lets you open files stored on a server from a mobile device... including Blackberry and iPhone devices.
The desktop applications have also received a slew of updates, although for some reason Microsoft still thinks the ribbon UI is a good idea. Desktop application users will be able to publish documents to the web or save them to the desktop. Here are some of the other highlights:
- Word 2010 now lets multiple users edit a document simultaneously
- Enhanced copy and paste function lets you paste screenshots into Word documents, and preview paste jobs
- Outlook 2010 uses the same ribbon interface as other Office apps, an email conversation view, and improved search features
- PowerPoint 2010 includes improved photo editing tools and new transitions
The Windows Mobile versions of Office applications have also been updated. Outlook Mobile now includes the conversation email view available in the desktop version. There's also a mobile document viewer that lets you open files stored on a server from a mobile device... including Blackberry and iPhone devices.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Luca said 9:22AM on 7-13-2009
The ribbon IS a good idea. It's actually user intuitive.
Everyone who complains about it sounds like an old person, who can't accept change. Oh what was that? Oh I can wait here, Grandmom. It's fine, go watch that episode of Matlock.
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Drew Green said 9:47AM on 7-13-2009
Exactly. First time users of the ribbon who are accustomed to older versions of Office don't like it (usually), but after time most find it easier to use (if they try and stop complaining). Those that use Office 2007 having not used a previous version prefer the ribbon over the standard toolbar (in my experience).
Money Mike said 9:50AM on 7-13-2009
I have to admit that I haven't used anything with the ribbon UI yet, but I probably would hate it at first glance too. I certainly don't like what I've seen in the screenshots.
That said, you're absolutely right. When people complain, it does make them sound old. I'm definitely not old, but I'm sure I would sound like it if I started complaining about innovation. That's why I try to keep my mouth shut until I've given something a fair shot.
People spend time getting used to something, so they aren't happy when it changes drastically. It's the same reason so many people won't move to Vista (and probably won't move to Windows 7 either). Most people become really familiar with computers while using XP.
Rocketboy said 9:56AM on 7-13-2009
What?
There are some serious interface problems with the ribbon, that ye olde drop-down menus/toolbar don't have. Here's just a short list:
Ribbons are not customizable.
Features are available depending on what ribbon tab you are on.
Size of ribbon options is not dependent on what YOU need, but what someone decided you need.
Ribbons do not scale nicely to a narrow screen.
Ribbons are not the evil being I once thought they were, but for every bit of usability that they provide, they seem to take away two.
Luca said 10:28AM on 7-13-2009
Excuse me, what?
Yes the ribbon is not "customizable", but at the same time, neither is your drop-down menu. The tool tips are, but that's not what we're comparing.
Your second point? Yes. Different features are on different tabs. This is no different than the drop-down. This is as ridiculous as me complaining that I can't use "cut" from my File Menu. This is not an issue. It's a basic design principle.
The size of the drop down bar wasn't decided by you either. At this rate, neither was the size of your desktop icons. This is just nitpicking to try and find a fault.
Define "Narrow screen" for me, please. I use Office 2007 at work, on a 15 inch 4:3 monitor. It has zero issues "scaling". Hell, for that argument, I've used Office 2007 on my netbook with the screen rotated 90 degrees. Still, zero issues.
Given your weak argument, the ribbon interface does not take away any functionality, and your complaint about the tabbing is absolutely asinine.
Mysterius said 8:25AM on 7-14-2009
Agreed. The ribbon is *far* more intuitive than the old toolbars from 2003.
If former "power users" don't like it, fair enough, but for most everyone post-2007 the ribbon is definitely the way to go.
It makes more sense to complain about bloggers who still gripe about the ribbon, frankly.
Rocketboy said 2:44PM on 7-14-2009
"Yes the ribbon is not "customizable", but at the same time, neither is your drop-down menu. The tool tips are, but that's not what we're comparing."
No, but you can customize the toolbar. And as the ribbon takes place of the pull-down menu and the toolbar, yes, it's what we are comparing.
"2) Features only available on a particular ribbon. That is also a unfounded argument against the ribbon because you have the QAT or Quick Access Toolbar which gives you access to any feature while you are on any tab."
Placing application buttons on the titlebar of a window is unintuitive at best.
"3) The size of the objects are decided by someone else. Yes that is the same way on any tool bar or UI (for the most part)"
Not when you can make customized buttons, which again, you cannot do anymore.
"4) Doesn't scale well? i have used it on large screens and small screens all with no problem!"
It's a PTIA on my page-height monitor. Because it, you know, does not scale well. Things get randomly collapsed or hidden under a menu.
Rocketboy said 3:09PM on 7-14-2009
Oh, and you sound like a total pompous ass. Someday you will realize that everyone in the world is not you. Life will be easier to deal with when you do.
RUGRLN said 8:23AM on 7-16-2009
Exactly...it's so much easier to grasp and use...
Ppl used to complain the old one was hard to use with toolbars, now it's all visually illustrated to the user, and they still complain it's hard to find stuff! Only thing I see ppl complaining is some buttons don't have text under them....well, this is because everyone should know what they mean...Bold..Italic these are kind of btns that don't need text and should never have text under them...
Ever since I started using the Ribbon, I've discovered every feature of Office, and had time to use it...rather than wasting time finding it in the never ending toolbars of Office 2003 and older...
Scott said 9:57AM on 7-13-2009
I was excited when I read this headline, but respectfully, Brad, Office 2010 hasn't "launched," it has been announced. We still have about a year until it's launched, unfortunately.
Reply
Brad Linder said 9:59AM on 7-13-2009
Sorry about that. I can't be trusted to carefully parse my "launch," "introduce," "unveil," and other almost-but-not-quite-interchangeable words first thing in the morning.
I've updated the headline to make it a little more clear.
birotunda said 10:15AM on 7-13-2009
I prefer the ribbon myself. The ribbon is not customizable (which probably makes tech support easier) but you can always add buttons to the Quick Access Toolbar.
Out of all the new features, the online version of OneNote will probably be my favorite. I wonder if the mobile document viewer will let me take notes from my phone (Android, not Windows Mobile.)
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Richard said 10:26PM on 7-21-2009
Just as an FYI I have the Tech Preview versions and I can tell you the ribbons are 100% customizable
jccalhoun said 10:42AM on 7-13-2009
I don't have any problem with the ribbon UI but I wouldn't call it "intuitive." I consistently have to try to figure out where they think something should go. I swear that after a while they got tired of trying to put stuff in logical places and just started pulling commands out of a hat and then threw the leftovers into the throbber menu.
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Daniel Blois said 10:45AM on 7-13-2009
Rocketboy,
Most if not all your complaints are moot!!
1) Ribbons are not customizable - first off that was the point of them - a consitent UI across any machine. Well in 2010 they are customizable now - so that point is useless.
2) Features only available on a particular ribbon. That is also a unfounded argument against the ribbon because you have the QAT or Quick Access Toolbar which gives you access to any feature while you are on any tab.
3) The size of the objects are decided by someone else. Yes that is the same way on any tool bar or UI (for the most part)
4) Doesn't scale well? i have used it on large screens and small screens all with no problem!
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cake97 said 11:11AM on 7-13-2009
The ribbon might be better than the drop-downs, but that doesn't mean it still doesn't suck.
It is the vista of office, they moved things around for the sake of moving them. If they had converted essentially the drop downs into a ribbon type format and allowed for them to be customizable, that would have been helpful.
Just moving everything around and hiding and then saying people are "old" if they can't find buttons on someone else's whim is a pretty hard argument to make stick.
I personally have paid to get the add-on to bring back drop down style that is fully customizable. Tremendously faster than the old way or the new way, and well worth $20 to not have to deal with it.
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Demodave said 1:15PM on 7-13-2009
From what I've heard, this shiny new ribbon-infused version of Outlook 2010 will still use WORD to render an HTML email. Which if you don't know....can look really horrible with some HTML messages due to the severe lack of standards support. Why don't they use the IE engine to display HTML messages?
It makes no sense...
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alahmnat said 4:23PM on 7-13-2009
Since we're all complaining about the Ribbon instead of talking about Office itself, my biggest issue with the Ribbon UI is that it's difficult for my mind to parse. There are numerous icons at two or three different sizes, along multiple horizontal lines, some with text captions and others with only tooltips (and sometimes just text without an icon), and several different style containers with large-format text in them. It's visually complex and I have a hard time finding what I'm looking for. Further complicating the problem is that there are multiple application-width toolbars to cycle through when looking for an option, so rather than having to keep one mental map of the application's UI in my head, I have to keep several maps, since every ribbon tab is also laid out differently.
This certainly may not be a problem for everyone, but it does hamper the usability of the interface for me. I do actually have similar issues with Apple's iWork Inspector window, though that's far less pronounced than my problems with the Ribbon because 1) iWork doesn't have a million features all clamoring for screen real-estate, and 2) iWork's common tasks and options are in a consistently-presented toolbar at the top of the document, while complex customization actions are tucked away inside of logically-grouped tabs in the floating Inspector window.
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Sean said 2:13PM on 7-14-2009
The beta can't be that limited, I just got an invite from Microsoft Connect and I'm a nobody.
I think you just need to preregister at the MS Connect site and you'll get sent an invite to all sorts of things as long as you meet the criteria.
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Brian! said 4:04PM on 7-14-2009
Same here. Got an invite to the Technical Preview.
If you give good feedback, Microsoft often rewards you with free stuff later. I got the last version of Office for free for participating in the beta. I hope this will be similar. It is already loaded up and running - I love the new Outlook although it seems to have broken iTunes connection.