Microsoft Office 2010 Beta

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Robz

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#53058 8-Dec-2009 11:33

I have just started using the Office 2010 beta. So far no major incidents so I wondered if others have come across tips, trick or traps that they want to share.

So far for me I really like the way that emails are automatically grouped into threads regardless of which folder/pst file they are filed in.

Not sure about the "file" menu, but that could be because it is different from the office button....

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#280372 8-Dec-2009 13:00

I'm keen to get Exchange 2010 running so I can test Outlook 2010 properly :)

dacraka

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#280397 8-Dec-2009 14:43

The "Black" theme has a few bugs like "Find related messages" button text is hidden and the "To:" address field text is hidden as well.

No big deal, just don't use the "Black" theme :P

naggyman

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#280412 8-Dec-2009 15:31

I hate the file button. Can't they just stay to the ribbon standards, instead of changing them everytime as Office likes to do

Morgan French-Stagg

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rhysb

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#280435 8-Dec-2009 16:19

gehenna: I'm keen to get Exchange 2010 running so I can test Outlook 2010 properly :)

I'm using Exchange 2010 with Outlook 2010 here and it is working really well. I love the new owa. It now gives you full functionality in any browser, which is handy.

x64 Office is super quick and it's nice to have the ribbon interface implemented consistently across all office applications.

@Robz: Have you checked out the new animations in powerpoint? No more boring wipes or fades.

Robz

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#280437 8-Dec-2009 16:30

I use Word/Excel more than PowerPoint. The new SmartArt Graphics are nice as is the screenshot button. I also like the integration of Word and Excel through the "chart" function. All I need now is MS Project integration and I will be really happy.

In saying this I have been using it for about 3 days... maybe some flaws yet to be revealed!

holloway

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#280438 8-Dec-2009 16:42

I've had a bit of a play too and I like it. The tabs in the toolbar (AKA ribbon) is a better interface but it was always a bit loosely designed in previous versions, but this new iteration is more compact and feels better to use.

bazzer

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#280440 8-Dec-2009 16:55

Should I be upgrading from the Technical Preview to the Beta? Do they both have expiry dates? I probably won't buy it when they expire, so if I have to uninstall the TP to install the Beta, I'll probably just chuck 2007 on (which I already have a license for).

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s.joseph

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#280443 8-Dec-2009 16:56

I hope they change the icons before rtm it really doesnt go along with windows 7 at all.

nathan

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#280447 8-Dec-2009 17:10

s.joseph: I hope they change the icons before rtm it really doesnt go along with windows 7 at all.

what don't you like about the icons in beta2?

amanzi

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#280450 8-Dec-2009 17:12

I tried out Outlook with Exchange 2007 and I really didn't like it. I found the conversation threading slowed down the interface too much and overall, the UI was a complete mess (for example to export to PST you have to go to the File-> Import menu). I'll reserve judgement though as this is still a very early beta. I was also hoping for some new icons in Visio but there's still the same network ones. Powerpoint seemed to get the biggest improvements and the new animations are very nice. As for the File menu, I liked it. It's more consistent with other apps that use the ribbon like WordPad and Paint on Win 7.

manhinli

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#280469 8-Dec-2009 18:26

Office 2010 beta is pretty good so far.

The good:

- My number one feature that I wanted was included: customisable ribbons! You can add/delete/edit tabs for "groups" of icons etc. Sorely missed the customisability of toolbars in versions of Office prior to 2007.

- Feels snappier than Office 2007.

... and the not so good:

I personally don't like Backstage View (the thing that pops up when you click on the File tab) - it's too "user-friendly" the way that long-time Office users will originally find more complex/longer to navigate. I just like a normal menu thank you very much!

Doesn't feel a whole lot different from '07, but a good improvement.

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rhysb

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#280520 8-Dec-2009 21:49

amanzi: I was also hoping for some new icons in Visio but there's still the same network ones.

Have you seen these?

Geographic Map Shapes for Microsoft Visio - Create maps using this set of shapes depicting regions of the world. Use Visio to arrange the shapes in their correct geographic locations.

Network Equipment Shapes for Microsoft Visio - A set of 24 Microsoft Visio stencils containing manufacturer-specific network equipment shapes for rack and data center diagrams. Create detailed rack and data center diagrams using this set of 2,000 shapes representing network equipment from 3Com, APC, Cisco, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Nortel, Panduit, and Sun Microsystems. These shapes are exact replicas of the network devices and are drawn to scale with port-level details. Front and rear views are included for most devices.

Office Communications Server 2007 and 2007 R2 Visio Stencils contain icons for Office Communications Server 2007 and 2007 R2 server roles and components.

MS released them back in Oct.

amanzi

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#280525 8-Dec-2009 22:15

rhysb: Have you seen these?
...
MS released them back in Oct.

I had not seen those, nice! I usually end up scouring VisioCafe for shapes. Thanks for the links.

insane

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#280539 8-Dec-2009 23:02

rhysb:
gehenna: I'm keen to get Exchange 2010 running so I can test Outlook 2010 properly :)

I'm using Exchange 2010 with Outlook 2010 here and it is working really well. I love the new owa. It now gives you full functionality in any browser, which is handy.

I'm really liking the new OWA too, the ability to quickly switch to different mailboxes and search through 1000's of emails in seconds is a nice change. I have noticed a few more exchange timeouts/hangs while using outlook 2007 but hopefully that will simply 'go-away' when we migrate that also to 2010.

rhysb

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#280568 9-Dec-2009 00:17

insane: I have noticed a few more exchange timeouts/hangs while using outlook 2007 but hopefully that will simply 'go-away' when we migrate that also to 2010.

I was having the accasional timeout with the tech preview but haven't had any with 2010 beta yet.

You reminded me of another cool outlook feature, multiple exchange accounts. Finally.

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