MACROS

[TCC]

I am a heavy user of the Macro function which is no longer available on 2008. I think this is a sham to buy 2008 expecting something new and wonderful and find out one of the major functions is no longer available.

So does this mean I have to learn Applescript? And how difficult is it to learn?

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

I am a heavy user of the Macro function which is no longer available on 2008.
I think this is a sham to buy 2008 expecting something new and wonderful and
find out one of the major functions is no longer available.

So does this mean I have to learn Applescript? And how difficult is it to
learn?

It means that IF you need your macros you will have to EITHER remain with
2004, or convert them to Applescript. AS, like any other programming
language requires a learning curve. How long depends largely on how
complicated the scripts are.

 

[Jim Gordon MVP]

I am a heavy user of the Macro function which is no longer available on 2008.
I think this is a sham to buy 2008 expecting something new and wonderful and
find out one of the major functions is no longer available.

So does this mean I have to learn Applescript? And how difficult is it to
learn?

Hi TCC,

I, too, am deeply disappointed that MacBU decided to release Office 2008
without VBA.

There is a free guide to help us ³transition² to AppleScript:
http://www.mactech.com/vba-transition-guide/

For the kinds of macros I write, AppleScript can¹t do the job. No Autpen,
Auto_Close, UserForms or save as add-in.

You can request that Microsoft restore VBA by offering your consumer case to
have VBA here:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/suggestions.mspx?product=excel

-Jim

--
Jim Gordon
Mac MVP

MVPs are not Microsoft Employees
MVP info

 

[neila452]

Is there an application out there for Macs that will allow you to record keystrokes as we did in Office 2004, then convert them into Apple Scripts for Word 2008? I never knew VBA programming language anyway; I just recorded macros. The loss of the recording feature is a real issue for me. Thanks.

Neil

 

[P. Z. Bloser]

I also use Macros a lot and am very disappointed that they are no longer supported. I also find that any of my old files with macros that have been saved in xlsx can no longer be opened (ever).

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

Is there an application out there for Macs that will allow you to record
keystrokes as we did in Office 2004, then convert them into Apple Scripts for
Word 2008? I never knew VBA programming language anyway; I just recorded
macros. The loss of the recording feature is a real issue for me. Thanks.

Neil

None that I know of. Apple scripts for Office applications have to be hand
coded.

 

[Bob Greenblatt]

I also use Macros a lot and am very disappointed that they are no longer
supported. I also find that any of my old files with macros that have been
saved in xlsx can no longer be opened (ever).

What do you mean ever? The xlsx files should be able to be opened fine in
Office 2008, but the macros will not run. There is an option on open to
preserve the macros. Are you getting errors when you open these? What error?

 

[neila452]

Thanks, Bob, for the information. It saves me a lot of searching. I did look at several book on how to do Apple Script programming. Honestly, this is not for a humanities professor like myself.

This development (or non-development) of eliminating macros is unwise, in my opinion -- especially when the product has been so hyped. As a college teacher, I don't have the time or desire to learn a scripting language. Therefore, I have downloaded the full version of Nisus Writer Pro 1.03 at <http://www.nisus.com/>. Nisus has been around for awhile; but I ignored it in favor of Word. Not anymore. Nisus is easy to learn, fast, and apparently compatible with my Word 2004 files. In fact, it is far easier to use than Word from what I have seen so far. Microsoft has blundered with Office 2008. Perhaps, they will rectify their mistake; but, getting them to admit is the first step, I would think.

Neil

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Visit the suggestions website to make sure MS hears your opinion--be
sure to mention you are a professor, that's one of their target markets.
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/suggestions.mspx