Convert to Range???

[jackandsally]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

Hello,

I'm currently taking a class that uses an instructional manual for Excel 2007. I'm attempting to create a list and calculate values but one step in the instructions states to click convert to range. Does anyone know if this is something that is on the excel 2004 for Mac? I know you're probably why would I be taking a class that uses Excel 2007, well I didn't know that was the version of excel that would be used. If anyone knows if converting a range is possible on the 2004 Mac version that would be awesome. Thanks!!

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

Hello,

I'm currently taking a class that uses an instructional manual for Excel 2007. I'm attempting to create a list and calculate values but one step in the instructions states to click convert to range. Does anyone know if this is something that is on the excel 2004 for Mac? I know you're probably why would I be taking a class that uses Excel 2007, well I didn't know that was the version of excel that would be used. If anyone knows if converting a range is possible on the 2004 Mac version that would be awesome. Thanks!!

Hi,

Yes, you can convert a list to a range in Mac Excel 2004. The List
vocabulary was changed for 2007.

Excel 2007 has renamed the List feature to Tables.

If you create a "Table" in Excel 2007 (Insert > Table) and then open
that saved file in Excel 2004 (fully updated with the Open XML Converter
installed), the "Table" will appear as an actual List object. Turn on
the List manager (View > Toolbars > List).

Click anywhere in the List, then click the List button on the List
Manger toolbar. Choose "Remove List Manager." That converts the List
object to a range object.

-Jim

 

[jackandsally]

Thanks so much... Do you know if the Excel in Office for Mac 2008 package is laid out more like 2007? I'm thinking of purchasing it but don't want to pay 150 bucks if it doesn't make things any easier. I also need to do a project that involves planning an Excel application. Do you know if either 2004 or 2008 for mac can handle something like this? Thanks again!

 

[CyberTaz]

Excel 2008 uses the same graphics engine as 2007 (SmartArt & Charts) but
uses the same interface as 2004. Both 2004 & 2008 for Mac are more closely
comparable to the 2003 version on the PC.

Office 2007 is the only version to use the Ribbon UI & discard toolbars &
menus. There are also a number of new features & enhancements in 2007 which
have not yet made it to any Mac version.

As for "an Excel application" - It depends on what "application" means.
That's a very broad term If there will be any VBA involved 2004 is your
only option on the Mac - 2008 does not support VBA.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

Thanks so much... Do you know if the Excel in Office for Mac 2008 package is laid out more like 2007? I'm thinking of purchasing it but don't want to pay 150 bucks if it doesn't make things any easier. I also need to do a project that involves planning an Excel application. Do you know if either 2004 or 2008 for mac can handle something like this? Thanks again!

Hi,

Thankfully, Excel 2008 is laid out logically for the most part, unlike
2007. The Mac version does not have the jumbled mess of odd-sized,
weirdly colored randomized toolbar buttons consuming about 1/3 of your
screen (called the "ribbon") like 2007. Office 2008 has an Elements
Gallery that is sleek and doesn't try to cram every button in the world
into it. Maybe you can tell I consider the 2007 ribbon one of the most
useless innovations I've seen in a long time.

Unfortunately, Excel 2008 is totally unable to create or use Excel
applications because the required programming language, Visual Basic for
Applications, was omitted from the product. Even though it has a lot of
interesting interface features, you won't be able to use 2008 to make an
application.

Which leaves Excel 2004 as the preferred choice for your use. It has VBA
and 2004 has an excellent interface - one that I think is far superior
to 2007.

MacBU seems to be on the right track for the next version of Mac Office.
VBA will return, and I hope they keep the Elements Gallery. That's
probably too far off for you to be worried about at the moment, but it
does give you something to look forward to.

-Jim