excel 2000 vs excel 2003

[carol]

Hello,

I'm very new to Excel, never even seen the program open.
I registered for an online class at my community college
for Introduction to Excel. The course requirements say
you can be using excel 5.0, 95, 97, or 2000. When I went
to buy the program, office 2003 professional was the only
one available. I've searched on the internet and found
lots of articles that say there's not much change from
2002 to 2003. But I can't find info about the
differences from 2000 to 2003. My question is: Is the
look and general feel, use and layout of the program very
different? Do you think I'll be able to use 2003 even if
the course they have only goes up to excel 2000?

The syllabus says these are the things we'll be learning:
1. Excel terminology: navigation and editing: constant
values vs. formulas
2 Creating a worksheet: labels, values, formulas and
formatting
3. Time savers: auto-fill, custom lists, advanced
formatting, cut and paste
4. Relative, absolute, and circular references
5. Sheet references: creating 3-deminsional workbooks,
linking files
6. Sorting and subtotaling
7. Creating graphs : the chart wizard
8. Advanced graphing techniques
9. Statistics made easy: the Function Wizard
10. Financial functions: amortization tables
11. Worksheet automation: creating macros and
customizing toolbars
12. Creating worksheets with decision-making capabilities

I can't get to the online classroom to ask a question of
the instructor until the first day of class which will be
too late to try and find a copy of 2000. Can you still
even buy excel 2000? Sorry this post is so long and
appreciate any help you can offer.

Carol

 

[Norman Harker]

Hi Carol!

I'd go for Excel 2003 because changes are more in terms of additions
for successive versions. It's unlikely that you'll hit problems.

Having said that, you might get a bargain on Excel 97 or 2000 on EBay.
Just make sure from the track record of the seller that it isn't
Pirate stuff or OEM that can only be installed by computer seller.

Looks like your community college needs to upgrade its programs and
course materials.
--
Regards
Norman Harker MVP (Excel)
Sydney, Australia
(e-mail address removed)
Excel and Word Function Lists (Classifications, Syntax and Arguments)
available free to good homes.

 

[Ken Wright]

Just to add to Norman's note:-

For the level you are at, you will see practically no difference. There is a
core level of functionality that is way beyond most people's knowledge of the
product, yet has been around since as far back as Excel 97. It will be a fair
while IMO before you hit anything that is different between the two ( Except
colouring the tabs maybe :-> ) The list of areas you listed has changed little
for what the average user will do between those releases.

Now that 2003 is out, you may want to try and find some bargain copies of Office
XP in the stores. Note that if you have kids at school, or you are on a full
time course, then you should check out the Student and Teacher editions - Approx
1/3 of the normal price, so well worth looking into.