There are so many things that have changed in Word 2007 and they are so
inefficent. Lables - why where they changed? Insert Filename and Path,
gone, why? You can insert filename and path but it takes so many steps. The
ribbons take four times as long to use, they are so cumbersome. Can anyone
tell me why they changed so many things that worked so well, it makes no
sense.
I understand your initial frustration, but I think that if you
persevere you'll find that 2007 is a far better version of Word than
2003.
The Ribbon is very logically laid out and provides access to a far
greater range of tools than the previous toolbars, and Microsoft have
made sure that the most frequently used commands have been moved onto
the Ribbon.
Think of the tabs this way:
HOME is where you will spend most of your time while you are working
with text as it allows you to format characters, change paragraph
settings and apply Styles.
INSERT is where you go to add other non-text components to your
documents, such as pictures, tables, and diagrams.
Fields, by the way, are accessed through the Quick Parts option.
PAGE LAYOUT is focused on setting up the paper - orientation, paper
size, section breaks, watermarks etc.
REFERENCES is a special function tab that brings all the reference
tools together - Tables of Contents, Index, End Notes, Foot Notes,
Captions etc. Although I cannot understand why a Bookmark is on the
Insert tab and not the References tab.
MAILINGS simplifies mail merges - just work from left to right.
REVIEW is for last minute checks before the document is finalised, so
you'll find Spell Checking, Thesaurus, Tracking Changes here.
VIEW is where you go to configure the screen - change the Zoom, switch
document views, turn the Ruler on and so on. Most of it's options are
already available around the outside of the Word window though.
Other tabs appear when they're required. Click on a picture and the
Picture Tools appear. Move inside a table and you'll see the Table
Tools. All the Header and Footer settings are in a single tab now,
rather than in two or three separate locations as in the past.
In addition, Auto Preview allows you to "get it right the first time",
rather than taking two, three or four attempts before you find a font
you like, or size or colour.
There is a lot that is familiar too - dialog boxes are still
accessible, all your keyboard shortcuts still work, the right-mouse
menus are still there, styles and mail merge wizard both appear in the
Task Pane as in Word 2003.
Microsoft have a really handy user interface guide for Word 2007. You
can find it at
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/HA102295841033.aspx
It's like a new car; it will take a while before all the new controls
become familiar, but once they do it's a pleasure to drive.
Good luck.
David
Hobart Tasmania
