Microsoft puts Office preview online

By Ina Fried
Staff Writer, CNET News

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Related Stories: Microsoft unveils new betas for Office, Vista
May 23, 2006; Microsoft announces Office 2007 pricing, details
February 15, 2006; Office 12 makeover takes on 'feature creep'
September 20, 2005

Microsoft is trying to allow people to try out the next Office--without the hassle of installing beta software or replacing their current version.

The software maker late Monday released a free, Web-based test version of the new Office.

Microsoft said more than 2.5 million people have downloaded the Beta 2 version of Office 2007 since it was released last month.

Video: Microsoft Office 2007 beta 2
Changes in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook

"The online test drive offers the perfect opportunity for everyone to experience an easier and better way to work," Microsoft said.

The new Office is a considerable departure from the current edition of the productivity suite, sporting a radically redesigned user interface as well as new XML-based file formats.

Microsoft Business Division President Jeff Raikes said in an interview Friday that Office 2007 remains on track to be shipped to large corporate customers this year. Microsoft has said it plans the mainstream launch of Office 2007 and Windows Vista for January, though there is considerable speculation that further delays of Vista could push that launch to later next year.

See more CNET content tagged:
Microsoft Office 2007, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows Vista

Add a Comment (Log in or register) 10 comments

article root
by Drewzilla June 26, 2006 7:45 PM PDT: article root; Reply to this comment

I could not get the stupid thing to work
by zxocuteboy June 26, 2006 8:36 PM PDT: I tried and tried again, but i could not get the stupid thing to work...

I am done!

http://zxo.blogspot.com/2006/06/millions-of-windows-users-may.html; Reply to this comment View all 3 replies
Processing

I like the look at feel
by Tanjore June 27, 2006 7:15 AM PDT: I like the new look and feel. Quite intutive user interface. It was hard to figure out save and print buttons - (They are at the top above tabbed buttons). I liked the way microsoft is pushing the product through interactive web demo. However, I do not think that latest office is a must have upgrade.; Reply to this comment

doesn't support firefox
by schwinn403 June 28, 2006 6:06 AM PDT: when are they going to learn? When Bill? When?; Reply to this comment

No firefox, no try
by City_Of_LA June 28, 2006 6:59 AM PDT: As a matter of fact, no buy as well. Open Office does the trick just as good.; Reply to this comment

Office hosted on Linux!
by redmondrebel June 29, 2006 6:09 PM PDT: Check out the story at http://www.kerika.com/blog.html. Apparently this demo is being hostedo on a Linux box!; Reply to this comment

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