When will the old menus be returned to Excel and Word?

[mpm2008]

I bought Office 2007 to stay current with the latest software but the ribbon
menu just isn't working out. I don't understand why it was decided to
reinvent the user interface and not provide an option for the legacy menu
configuration.

Every time I attempt to use the software, within 5 minutes I find myself
searching for commands and get completely defocused. The software reminds me
of a hijacked version of Office 2003 that a no name company would give away
for free. I bought the 3 license version but can't afford to cripple any of
my other computers.

Hopefully, an option for the old menus will be added in the near future.

 

[JoAnn Paules]

There are some third-party add-ins available that somewhat imitate the
"classic interface".

 

[Earle Horton]

For Microsoft to put the menus back to the way they were, they would have to
admit that they were wrong in the first place. Now how likely do you think
that will be?

{þ

Earle

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

But they weren't wrong... it is just that a certain percentage of customers
don't like the new User Interface and are complaining. The vast majority of
users like the new interface and are not complaining.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact.
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375


After furious head scratching, Earle Horton asked:

| For Microsoft to put the menus back to the way they were, they would
| have to admit that they were wrong in the first place. Now how
| likely do you think that will be?
|
| {þ
|
| Earle
|
| || I bought Office 2007 to stay current with the latest software but the
|| ribbon
|| menu just isn't working out. I don't understand why it was decided
|| to reinvent the user interface and not provide an option for the
|| legacy menu configuration.
||
|| Every time I attempt to use the software, within 5 minutes I find
|| myself searching for commands and get completely defocused. The
|| software reminds me
|| of a hijacked version of Office 2003 that a no name company would
|| give away
|| for free. I bought the 3 license version but can't afford to
|| cripple any of
|| my other computers.
||
|| Hopefully, an option for the old menus will be added in the near
|| future.

 

[Earle Horton]

You don't have hard figures to support this, now do you? Please include all
complaining statistics, including from letters to Microsoft and letters to
magazines, to complaining to spouse, "This new Office sucks honey, can you
get me the old one?" (Heard around my house...)

Cheers,

Earle

 

[Peter Foldes]

Earle

After stupidity you just posted you be better off to stick to the msn.discussion newsgroup.

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

You don't have hard figures to support this, now do you? Please include all
complaining statistics, including from letters to Microsoft and letters to
magazines, to complaining to spouse, "This new Office sucks honey, can you
get me the old one?" (Heard around my house...)

Cheers,

Earle

But they weren't wrong... it is just that a certain percentage of
customers
don't like the new User Interface and are complaining. The vast majority
of
users like the new interface and are not complaining.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact.
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375


After furious head scratching, Earle Horton asked:

| For Microsoft to put the menus back to the way they were, they would
| have to admit that they were wrong in the first place. Now how
| likely do you think that will be?
|
| {þ
|
| Earle
|
| || I bought Office 2007 to stay current with the latest software but the
|| ribbon
|| menu just isn't working out. I don't understand why it was decided
|| to reinvent the user interface and not provide an option for the
|| legacy menu configuration.
||
|| Every time I attempt to use the software, within 5 minutes I find
|| myself searching for commands and get completely defocused. The
|| software reminds me
|| of a hijacked version of Office 2003 that a no name company would
|| give away
|| for free. I bought the 3 license version but can't afford to
|| cripple any of
|| my other computers.
||
|| Hopefully, an option for the old menus will be added in the near
|| future.

 

[Val]

Or is it the vast majority of customers have no choice (the company
installed it) and they just suck it up and use it?

If the Ribbon is better, why does AutoDesk provide for both tradional menus
or ribbon usage? How many Autocad users choose one over the other?

Is newer/different always/automatically better?

Have you seen the pictures floating around the 'net of the Mercedes
prototype with a joystick-like control between the front seats, instead of a
steering wheel? (http://www.snopes.com/photos/automobiles/newmercedes.asp
for an example) While the technical people could make the case it's
"better", how long would it take to succeed in the marketplace where people
conciously choose that style of control?

Val



But they weren't wrong... it is just that a certain percentage of customers
don't like the new User Interface and are complaining. The vast majority of
users like the new interface and are not complaining.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact.
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375


After furious head scratching, Earle Horton asked:

| For Microsoft to put the menus back to the way they were, they would
| have to admit that they were wrong in the first place. Now how
| likely do you think that will be?
|
| {þ
|
| Earle
|
| || I bought Office 2007 to stay current with the latest software but the
|| ribbon
|| menu just isn't working out. I don't understand why it was decided
|| to reinvent the user interface and not provide an option for the
|| legacy menu configuration.
||
|| Every time I attempt to use the software, within 5 minutes I find
|| myself searching for commands and get completely defocused. The
|| software reminds me
|| of a hijacked version of Office 2003 that a no name company would
|| give away
|| for free. I bought the 3 license version but can't afford to
|| cripple any of
|| my other computers.
||
|| Hopefully, an option for the old menus will be added in the near
|| future.

 

[Gemini]

mpm, MS has no plans to offer the classic menus as an option, despite many
requests from long time users. As Earle notes, that would be admitting they
were wrong in the first place.

You aren't the first one to ask about reverting to the classic UI and you
certainly won't be the last.

Like you, I didn't see any value in learning the Ribbon rubbish after using
the trial version for a few weeks. For me, it was a productivity killer.
Another added headache was Excel kept crashing randomly. Hence I decided not
to shell out the $$$s MS wanted for Office 2007 and reverted to Office 2003.
Voila! Productivity back to normal and no more crashes.

The only way to get the classic menus is to install third party add-ins.
Some are free and you'll have to pony up more $$$s for some. That's been
posted here many, many times.

You may want to let MS know how you feel about the Ribbon. There's a link to
send them feedback from the MS site (the Office section).

hth!

-- Gemini

 

[Gemini]

"Vast majority"? I'll bet Milly will not be able to post solid, verifiable
data to back up her claim. That's merely her opinion and she's trying to pass
it off as fact.

Several posters have asked Jensen Harris for the same data (see JH's blog).
So far, JH has maintained a solid silence to those queries.

-- Gemini

 

[Gemini]

Val, you are correct. I personally know several people who use Office 2007
simply because their employer "upgraded" to it. They're captive users.
However, they do form part of the Ribbon's "success" statistics.

Take a look at the Ribbon survey on www.exceluser.com. I've also read posts
where the posters stated their co. decided to remove the Office 2007
"upgrade" after numerous complaints from employees.

So far, there's absolutely no hard data which proves the Ribbon's success.
That's one of the two common characteristics displayed by some Office 2007
fans. The other characteristics is deriding, attacking, etc. anyone who dares
question the "success" of the Ribbon. There are plenty of posts on this forum
to prove that.

-- Gemini

Or is it the vast majority of customers have no choice (the company
installed it) and they just suck it up and use it?

If the Ribbon is better, why does AutoDesk provide for both tradional menus
or ribbon usage? How many Autocad users choose one over the other?

Is newer/different always/automatically better?

Have you seen the pictures floating around the 'net of the Mercedes
prototype with a joystick-like control between the front seats, instead of a
steering wheel? (http://www.snopes.com/photos/automobiles/newmercedes.asp
for an example) While the technical people could make the case it's
"better", how long would it take to succeed in the marketplace where people
conciously choose that style of control?

Val



But they weren't wrong... it is just that a certain percentage of customers
don't like the new User Interface and are complaining. The vast majority of
users like the new interface and are not complaining.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact.
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375


After furious head scratching, Earle Horton asked:

| For Microsoft to put the menus back to the way they were, they would
| have to admit that they were wrong in the first place. Now how
| likely do you think that will be?
|
| {þ
|
| Earle
|
| || I bought Office 2007 to stay current with the latest software but the
|| ribbon
|| menu just isn't working out. I don't understand why it was decided
|| to reinvent the user interface and not provide an option for the
|| legacy menu configuration.
||
|| Every time I attempt to use the software, within 5 minutes I find
|| myself searching for commands and get completely defocused. The
|| software reminds me
|| of a hijacked version of Office 2003 that a no name company would
|| give away
|| for free. I bought the 3 license version but can't afford to
|| cripple any of
|| my other computers.
||
|| Hopefully, an option for the old menus will be added in the near
|| future.

 

[Earle Horton]

To be fair, I have had minimal problems getting used to the ribbon myself.
It turns out that for word processing and mail, I actually use a small
subset of the available commands. Having found all the ones I need, I am
pretty well off. Being retired and paying $25.00 for the full professional
version at the college where I take language classes, I am not so concerned
about the learning curse issue. The college has had it on all their
computers for over a year now.

However, She Who Gives Orders Around Here is not happy with it. Now that's
a problem. She's getting my old copy of Office 2003 on her new laptop.

Earle

 

[Val]

"I am not so concerned about the learning curse issue. "

That's hitting the nail on the head!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To be fair, I have had minimal problems getting used to the ribbon myself.
It turns out that for word processing and mail, I actually use a small
subset of the available commands. Having found all the ones I need, I am
pretty well off. Being retired and paying $25.00 for the full professional
version at the college where I take language classes, I am not so concerned
about the learning curse issue. The college has had it on all their
computers for over a year now.

However, She Who Gives Orders Around Here is not happy with it. Now that's
a problem. She's getting my old copy of Office 2003 on her new laptop.

Earle

 

[Gordon]

To be fair, I have had minimal problems getting used to the ribbon myself.
It turns out that for word processing and mail, I actually use a small
subset of the available commands. Having found all the ones I need, I am
pretty well off.

As a recently-retired Systems Accountant, I can tell you that that is
precisely how the vast majority of Office users work, certainly in a
commercial environment. Most of them deal with a small number of types of
document on a regular and daily basis and so use a relatively small number
of commands frequently. These can be put on the QAT and this makes 2007 more
efficient than 2003 or prior. Also the available customisation of 2003 and
prior has been a support desk nightmare....

 

[Dave Jones]

"Vast majority"? I'll bet Milly will not be able to post solid, verifiable
data to back up her claim. That's merely her opinion and she's trying to pass
it off as fact.

Several posters have asked Jensen Harris for the same data (see JH's blog).
So far, JH has maintained a solid silence to those queries.

-- Gemini

yawn...as soon as I saw that Subject line I knew you'd be in the middle
of this...again

common sense would lead one to understand that:
1. those that don't like something complain about it
2. those that don't have a problem with that same something, don't
complain about it.

so, you've now got a bunch of complainers on the record but no non
complainers. How in the world could anyone come up with "solid,
verifiable data" so support what common sense makes perfectly clear?
Dave
DDP

 

[Gemini]

Well, I know for a fact that I don't need your or anyone else's permission to
concur or disagree with the OP.

If you've read the posts here, you'd see there are some here that do like
the Ribbon think, yourself included. Every time I've seen someone post that
they don't like the Ribbon, there's some pro-Ribbon posters who pop out of
the woodwork claiming it's the best thing since sliced bread.

Data? It's common sense. Posters here (read Milly Staples' post on this very
thread) are claiming that the Ribbon is a success. So does Jensen Harris on
his blog. What's the basis? How do they know? I've seen posts here that
claimed MS conducted "usability studies" (or whatever) that indicated the
Ribbon was an outstanding success.

If we were to go by your claim about there not being any data to support the
"success" of the Ribbon, then you're essentially stating that all claims
about the Ribbon's success are merely claims/speculation and are not backed
up by any data whatsoever. Ergo, pro-Ribbon posters here and MS are claiming
success with the Ribbon without a shred of evidence.

Oh yes, if my posts bore you, you're under no obligation to read them and/or
respond to them. Based on the responses from some diehard pro-Ribbon posters
here, the modus operandi appears to be claiming success for the Ribbon first.
When that can't be substantiated with any solid data, start denigrating those
who aren't enamored with it. That's not exactly the response I'd expect from
mature posters. Oh well!

-- Gemini

 

[Earle Horton]

It passed spell check too!

Earle

 

[Dave Jones]

Well, I know for a fact that I don't need your or anyone else's permission to
concur or disagree with the OP.

where did anyone say you needed permission to do anything??

If you've read the posts here, you'd see there are some here that do like
the Ribbon think, yourself included. Every time I've seen someone post that
they don't like the Ribbon, there's some pro-Ribbon posters who pop out of
the woodwork claiming it's the best thing since sliced bread.

there's maybe 4 or 5 max posters here who continually defend the Ribbon
as ardently as you post anti Ribbon sentiment. I'm not one of them. I've
posted that I don't mind the Ribbon but that, given the option to revert
back to the older GUI, I would have done so. Not exactly a "pro-Ribbon
poster".

Data? It's common sense. Posters here (read Milly Staples' post on this very
thread) are claiming that the Ribbon is a success. So does Jensen Harris on
his blog. What's the basis? How do they know? I've seen posts here that
claimed MS conducted "usability studies" (or whatever) that indicated the
Ribbon was an outstanding success.

I'm not arguing the Ribbons success or lack of success.

If we were to go by your claim about there not being any data to support the
"success" of the Ribbon, then you're essentially stating that all claims
about the Ribbon's success are merely claims/speculation and are not backed
up by any data whatsoever. Ergo, pro-Ribbon posters here and MS are claiming
success with the Ribbon without a shred of evidence.

You're putting words in my mouth again. I didn't claim that there
*wasn't any* data, I merely stated that IMO common sense would lead one
to believe that the data would be heavily slanted towards those who
don't like the Ribbon, or, that was my intent anyway.

Oh yes, if my posts bore you, you're under no obligation to read them and/or
respond to them. Based on the responses from some diehard pro-Ribbon posters
here, the modus operandi appears to be claiming success for the Ribbon first.
When that can't be substantiated with any solid data, start denigrating those
who aren't enamored with it. That's not exactly the response I'd expect from
mature posters. Oh well!

-- Gemini

I actually enjoy your posts. "Denigrating"...I think that's a bit of a
stretch. Again, I'm not on the "the Ribbon's the greatest thing since
sliced bread" bandwagon. I'm merely posting an opinion regarding your
continual requirement for "hard data". There ain't ever going to be any
hard data. There will never ever be an agreement between the Ribbon
likers and the Ribbon don't likers. So, get beyond it.

And, as one of the way older crowd I'm way more mature than I'd like to
be...
Dave
DDP

 

[Gemini]

"there's maybe 4 or 5 max posters here who cntinually defend the Ribbon
as ardently as you post anti Ribbon sentiment."
Dave, I don't care about the Ribbon. "Ardently" is a stretch, to say the
least. I decided to voice my support to those who don't like the Ribbon, are
having a hard time with it, etc., because of those pro-Ribbon posters who
choose to denigrate those who aren't infatuated with the Ribbon. Take a look
at Peter Foldes' response in this very thread. Recently, on another thread, a
poster had observed that there are several MVPs who indulge in similar
behavior. To me, such responses are juvenile, to say the least.

"I merely stated that IMO common sense would lead one to believe that the
data would be heavily slanted towards those who don't like the Ribbon, or,
that was my intent anyway."
I respectfully disagree. JH has claimed success for the Ribbon, as have the
pro-Ribbon crowd here. Milly Staples did that on this very thread. She's
argued with me before on the same point. I've seen posters claim that MS has
conducted usability studies and determined that the Ribbon is a success.

There's no question of the data being slanted in favor of those who don't
like the Ribbon. Besides the survey on ExcelUser, I haven't seen anyone else
conduct a broad based survey and come up with data. MS isn't exactly likely
to publish the data they've collected (per their own claims and claims made
by some posters here), if the results don't back up the "success" of the
Ribbon thing.


"I actually enjoy your posts."
<G> I'll take that as a compliment.

" "Denigrating"...I think that's a bit of a stretch."
Read Peter Foldes' response on this very thread. There's an example.

"I'm merely posting an opinion regarding your continual requirement for
"hard data"."
Dave, the reason I repeat that is the pro-Ribbon crowd here keeps crowing
about the success of the Ribbon and claiming there's a small proportion of
users who don't like the Ribbon. What's the basis for those claims? Zip
nothing. Every time I ask them for supporting data, they'll either resort to
juvenile responses or disappear from the thread.

"There will never ever be an agreement between the Ribbon likers and the
Ribbon don't likers. So, get beyond it."
I know that. Like I said, I don't care what happens to the Ribbon. MS can
keep it. So long as Office sports that ugly appendage, they're not getting my
business, for sure. I'm sure Gates isn't going to lose any sleep because I'm
not buying Office 2007. However, I do take issue with the behavior of the
pro-Ribbon crowd as well as the tall claims they keep making about the
Ribbon's success.

-- Gemini