Excel 2007 for Apple (Mac)

[FRANCISCO PEREZ-LANDAETA]

Hi,
Anyone has an idea as to when Microsoft will make equivalent the microsoft
suite ( excel, etc )

There are features that don't work in excel for mac that do in excel for
windows. This is really discomforting. I am tqlking about pivot table
charting, etc. In some cases the syntax is different in windows-mac and it
doesn't allow me to work with the file properly.

Because of the differences in the syntaxis I have to re-program and
re-adjust my formula so that Apple Computers can read it.

It is really a pain to sell a product that one claims to be 100% compatible
and not be able to obtain the same results.

Any insight !???



Right now, I am in the process of dumping my mac (which I love) and buying a
pc to be able to have all the functionality of EXCEL 2003.

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Francisco -

I think your letting your frustrations carry you away

First of all Office 2007 release for the *PC* hasn't had a release date
announced as yet -there's only the Beta [read as: field testing version] -
so when and if anything comparable for the Mac will be released is open to
nothing but speculation, and that will probably be at least a year further
down the road.

Second, there is nothing from MS anyone has ever been able to point to that
"claims to be 100% compatible"... This is typically a misconception inferred
by the user. The files are compatible, but the program features are not
identical. I'm not defending MS, but nothing from them states otherwise. BTW
- there are features in the Mac versions that *aren't* in the PC versions,
as well. It's just that those aren't the ones you're focused on at the
moment.

Last, there are a number of far more reasonable options than "dumping" your
Mac & buying a PC. Depending on which Mac you have you can run Windows apps
on the Mac quite effectively using VPC on PPC Macs or Parallels/Boot Camp
etc. on Intel Macs... I've yet to see Mac software run effectively on a
Windows machine.


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

 

[FRANCISCO PEREZ-LANDAETA]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for replying.

1.- I know there has not been a release date for Microsoft Office 2007, but
Office 2003 is not comparable to Mac Office 2004. I have had many issues
because my employees (managers) use pivot table functions that are not 100%
read by Mac. In the universe of the computers in my company there all only
two Apple's, the rest is Windows. So, I guess it was my mistake to try to
incorporate Apple's to the enterprise and still try to use administrative
software through VPC or any other software.

I don't think, at least that is my point of view, that VPC in an Apple G4 is
really that great. The investment required to be able to run windows on an
Apple computers is quite high. First, a relatively new MAC, second, memory,
third, software. In my humble opinion for that amount of cash one can
purchase a relatively nice entry PC. The other factor, is that by running
Virtual PC on a laptop and traveling it consumes more Processor power and in
the end more batteries are needed.

Again, I don't mean to bring an argument to the table. I love MACs, I think
they are great machines. I just think software makers should CONVERGE to
allow people with Apple's and PC's to run their software.

What has to be done, I don't know. I am no programmer, engineer,etc. I am
just a user looking for a features in both platforms. The environments Apple
and PC's both are great but each of them has their plus and minuses.

2.- Yes, I am kinda frustrated to see layers and layers of code to run
Windows or at least try to run Windows.

3.- I don't think VPC is that great for the middle entry guy, maybe a person
(different than me) would maxed out the memory in their MAC's to run
Windows. That's not me. I believe Speed, memory, processor speed, battery
life, are important factors to a mobile guy like me.

4.- In my PC world, I don't see a number of people trying to run Apple
software, I see it the other way around.

5.- I currently own Virtual PC, and I have a Powerbook G4 with 1.25 Memory
and trust me it runs slow. It is not INTEL so I am out of the question. This
means = new invesment.

6.- The one factor that annoys me the most is the differences in Microsoft
suite of applications for both platforms. Aside from that, I really annoys
me (all my friends have messenger and do video chat, audio chat, etc).
Years, have passed and there is not support for that in Apple. Ichat is
great but only between Macs.


Well, anyway, I didn't mean to make any flames by typing this. It is just
that it is annoying to see how delayed are software solutions for Apple
computers. We all know, they are great why not Expand.??????


Greetings Bob,

Francisco

Hi Francisco -

I think your letting your frustrations carry you away

First of all Office 2007 release for the *PC* hasn't had a release date
announced as yet -there's only the Beta [read as: field testing version] -
so when and if anything comparable for the Mac will be released is open to
nothing but speculation, and that will probably be at least a year further
down the road.

Second, there is nothing from MS anyone has ever been able to point to that
"claims to be 100% compatible"... This is typically a misconception inferred
by the user. The files are compatible, but the program features are not
identical. I'm not defending MS, but nothing from them states otherwise. BTW
- there are features in the Mac versions that *aren't* in the PC versions,
as well. It's just that those aren't the ones you're focused on at the
moment.

Last, there are a number of far more reasonable options than "dumping" your
Mac & buying a PC. Depending on which Mac you have you can run Windows apps
on the Mac quite effectively using VPC on PPC Macs or Parallels/Boot Camp
etc. on Intel Macs... I've yet to see Mac software run effectively on a
Windows machine.


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

Hi,
Anyone has an idea as to when Microsoft will make equivalent the microsoft
suite ( excel, etc )

There are features that don't work in excel for mac that do in excel for
windows. This is really discomforting. I am tqlking about pivot table
charting, etc. In some cases the syntax is different in windows-mac and it
doesn't allow me to work with the file properly.

Because of the differences in the syntaxis I have to re-program and
re-adjust my formula so that Apple Computers can read it.

It is really a pain to sell a product that one claims to be 100% compatible
and not be able to obtain the same results.

Any insight !???



Right now, I am in the process of dumping my mac (which I love) and buying a
pc to be able to have all the functionality of EXCEL 2003.

 

[Jim Gordon]

Hi Francesco,

May I jump in?

It's good that you are making note of the pivot table problems here in
the newsgroups. You and others have made it clear that this is a
priority item for you. I noticed some replies here from MacBU employees
about it, so you have their ear.

Fortunately or unfortunately Apple made a sudden switch to Intel
processors, which put Microsoft out of the Virtual PC business on the
Mac. Parallels is now the way to go for virtualization. There is hardly
any speed hit, so even a basic Intel Mac will run Windows at very
acceptable speeds. Suggestion: if your current Macs have decent resale
value sell them and use the money to get new ones. Then you can have the
best of both worlds.

By necessity the next versions of Office for both Mac and Windows are
basically "ports." Very few new features will be added. Large,
important (to some) features will be lost (such as Visual Basic
capabilities). The entire code base essentially has to be re-written
using different programming languages and methods to run on Mac Intel
Processors.

If it turns out that along the way that better pivot table support can
be included without breaking Excel or making MacBU miss their release
date target, then better pivot table compatibility at least has a chance
of making it in the next release.

You're not making flames. I'm with you 100%.

If I were running MacBU then Mac Office next version would have new
features and would continue to run in Rosetta. I would have gone for
expansion of the product line by porting Access. But I don't run MacBU,
and I know for a fact that the managers there thought long and hard
about their plans. They have a lot more information about their
operation than I do. MacBU's management is very bright and as Mac
enthusiastic as anyone you will find on the planet. I know they
considered not only what is best for Microsoft, but also what is best
for Mac in general. They decided that in the long run porting Office to
Intel as a dual binary is the best decision.

A recent news release said that MacBU feels they are about half-way
along in making the new code base. Having written software I can tell
you that the second half will be a lot harder than the first. That's
when all the code has to actually work! Then it has to be packaged,
localized, etc.

Based on the time it took to get half-way, let's just double that and
hope to get a peek at the next Mac Office about 10 months from now.
Re-writing the code base for Office in 20 months is a gargantuan task,
so if happens that fast I will be very pleased.

-Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

Hi Bob,

Thanks for replying.

1.- I know there has not been a release date for Microsoft Office 2007, but
Office 2003 is not comparable to Mac Office 2004. I have had many issues
because my employees (managers) use pivot table functions that are not 100%
read by Mac. In the universe of the computers in my company there all only
two Apple's, the rest is Windows. So, I guess it was my mistake to try to
incorporate Apple's to the enterprise and still try to use administrative
software through VPC or any other software.

I don't think, at least that is my point of view, that VPC in an Apple G4 is
really that great. The investment required to be able to run windows on an
Apple computers is quite high. First, a relatively new MAC, second, memory,
third, software. In my humble opinion for that amount of cash one can
purchase a relatively nice entry PC. The other factor, is that by running
Virtual PC on a laptop and traveling it consumes more Processor power and in
the end more batteries are needed.

Again, I don't mean to bring an argument to the table. I love MACs, I think
they are great machines. I just think software makers should CONVERGE to
allow people with Apple's and PC's to run their software.

What has to be done, I don't know. I am no programmer, engineer,etc. I am
just a user looking for a features in both platforms. The environments Apple
and PC's both are great but each of them has their plus and minuses.

2.- Yes, I am kinda frustrated to see layers and layers of code to run
Windows or at least try to run Windows.

3.- I don't think VPC is that great for the middle entry guy, maybe a person
(different than me) would maxed out the memory in their MAC's to run
Windows. That's not me. I believe Speed, memory, processor speed, battery
life, are important factors to a mobile guy like me.

4.- In my PC world, I don't see a number of people trying to run Apple
software, I see it the other way around.

5.- I currently own Virtual PC, and I have a Powerbook G4 with 1.25 Memory
and trust me it runs slow. It is not INTEL so I am out of the question. This
means = new invesment.

6.- The one factor that annoys me the most is the differences in Microsoft
suite of applications for both platforms. Aside from that, I really annoys
me (all my friends have messenger and do video chat, audio chat, etc).
Years, have passed and there is not support for that in Apple. Ichat is
great but only between Macs.


Well, anyway, I didn't mean to make any flames by typing this. It is just
that it is annoying to see how delayed are software solutions for Apple
computers. We all know, they are great why not Expand.??????


Greetings Bob,

Francisco

Hi Francisco -

I think your letting your frustrations carry you away

First of all Office 2007 release for the *PC* hasn't had a release date
announced as yet -there's only the Beta [read as: field testing version] -
so when and if anything comparable for the Mac will be released is open to
nothing but speculation, and that will probably be at least a year further
down the road.

Second, there is nothing from MS anyone has ever been able to point to that
"claims to be 100% compatible"... This is typically a misconception inferred
by the user. The files are compatible, but the program features are not
identical. I'm not defending MS, but nothing from them states otherwise. BTW
- there are features in the Mac versions that *aren't* in the PC versions,
as well. It's just that those aren't the ones you're focused on at the
moment.

Last, there are a number of far more reasonable options than "dumping" your
Mac & buying a PC. Depending on which Mac you have you can run Windows apps
on the Mac quite effectively using VPC on PPC Macs or Parallels/Boot Camp
etc. on Intel Macs... I've yet to see Mac software run effectively on a
Windows machine.


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

Hi,
Anyone has an idea as to when Microsoft will make equivalent the microsoft
suite ( excel, etc )

There are features that don't work in excel for mac that do in excel for
windows. This is really discomforting. I am tqlking about pivot table
charting, etc. In some cases the syntax is different in windows-mac and it
doesn't allow me to work with the file properly.

Because of the differences in the syntaxis I have to re-program and
re-adjust my formula so that Apple Computers can read it.

It is really a pain to sell a product that one claims to be 100% compatible
and not be able to obtain the same results.

Any insight !???



Right now, I am in the process of dumping my mac (which I love) and buying a
pc to be able to have all the functionality of EXCEL 2003.