Office 2007 - Increasing Business Productivity
When it comes to office work there never seems to be enough time in the day to really get the work done in the professional manner we expect. I’ve recently moved to the Office 2007 interface and, after learning where everything is, I can say I really think I love it! That said despite the fact that it seemed the programs were trying to outsmart me. It was definitely a love/hate relationship during the learning curve.
The Word program has some interesting concepts using the tabbed ribbons. Once you find where the function is, which isn’t always intuitive, the features seem to work great. But you’re likely to find yourself in the same hunt again later on. Once you understand where that function lives and how to access it, the functions are easier to use.
I struggled a bit with the Excel solution the same way. Again, as an advanced Excel user I think the tools are easier and more efficient to use than ever before. I’d never go back to Office 2003 but I did have those thoughts cross my mind at times. Charting is about as easy as it comes, and although I’m not one for using a lot of the advanced functions of Excel, the accounting world should be on cloud nine. If you are used to short cuts with Excel they are now even shorter.
I have found that I’m still clicking around a lot, but I save so much time with the function performances that, overall, I am more efficient and effective with both Excel and Word.
I really didn’t see much difference with PowerPoint or Outlook to speak of for my daily tasks. I’m not really big on the task management side but just love group calendars. On the other hand, I’d expect those PowerPoint guru’s will love the new artwork and libraries. I’m sure they will be saving oodles of time and making better looking presentations with the new features.
My initial expose to Office 2007 was in Access. I found many things very confusing, but overall the new interface is more effective. I think Access can still bring beginning users to tears if they don’t know the program or understand the wonderful power that resides in this program. I really think even a good Access user needs training to get comfortable in this new environment.
Overall the Office 2007 tools are better and more efficient. You might find frustrated users when they don’t understand the actual function properties as they won’t find everything just hanging out on one tool bar area you can browse through. The logic and organization of the tools does make sense, but it’s not always as intuitive as one might think.
For novice and beginning users, take the Learning Office 2007 course. More advanced users might just be able to browse and find the functions on their own, but to get Office up and running effectively and quickly I’d suggest taking some type of training on their primary software tool. LearnKey offers great training material to get anyone and everyone up and going.
