Comments on: Help for Those ‘Lost’ Office 2007 Commands

By: Christine Kent

Christine Kent — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:41:47 +0000

It's really not as bad as it seems initially. I can't go back to 2003 now - too slow and inefficient. Have a look at my blog for the main things you need to know about 2007 to become fast and productive. Posted by Christine Kent Free-lance Writing, Editing and Training Professional on the Authors, Writers, Publishers, Editors, and other Professionals group at LinkedIn.com

By: John D. McDonald

John D. McDonald — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:02:10 +0000

Interesting post. I've managed to find my way around Office 2007, but this should make it easier to locate commands that I only sometimes use. Finding 'Labs' from there was also welcomed. Much appreciated. Posted by John D. McDonald, Coordinator, GIST OWL/Senior English Lecturer at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, in the Authors, Writers, Publishers, Editors, and other Professionals group on LinkedIn.com

By: Dave Melanson

Dave Melanson — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:40:24 +0000

A great pointer. Thank you. Posted by Dave Melanson, Appraiser at HUD, posted on the LDS Professionals Group at LinkedIn.com

By: Marty

Marty — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:42:34 +0000

Thanks, Robin!

I just downloaded the product you recommended, http://www.addintools.com/english/menuword/ and I think this is what I have been looking for.

By: Bill Louden

Bill Louden — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:29:58 +0000

I bought and tried Office 2007. I switched back to Office 2003. Any company that does not take current users; habits and needs into consideration doesn't deserve my money. So, I must give it to Microsoft. After using WORD, Excel, etc. for nearly 25 years, the Office 2007 product finally got me to switch to OpenOffice 3.0. I can even read all those docx files now! Thanks Microsoft! Posted by Bill Louden Operations Executive, Entrepreneur, Digital Media & MMOG Pioneer, posted on the GE Alumni group at LinkedIn.com

By: Walt Bristow

Walt Bristow — Sat, 30 May 2009 11:18:47 +0000

Thanks to everyone who has shared comments.

After publishing this article, I came across a program called UbitMenu. It’s a free (for personal use) program that adds a new item to your menus called (ta da!) “Menu”. When you click on it, you’ll see the old tool bars and menu items. If you want it for your business, the cost is a modest $13.87 plus $0.90 for each computer you’ll use it on. Those prices are based on the current exchange rate for Euros — they could be a few pennies more or less.

Here’s their own description:

UBitMenu is a simple way for professional Microsoft® Office users to get accustomed to the new ribbon based interface of Office 2007 without any performance loss. It will emulate / activate the Office 2003 menu in Word 2007, Excel 2007 and Powerpoint 2007.

If you have spent agonizing minutes trying to find features in Word, Excel or PowerPoint ribbons that would have been at your finger tips in Office 2003 you will soon appreciate UBitMenu, especially when you have to finish an important document under time pressure.

UBitMenu does not hide the ribbon interface, but adds the classic menu as a new ribbon. Gradually you will realize that many functions are easier to handle using Office 2007 ribbons. Microsoft® has done a good job there.

By: Nick Disney

Nick Disney — Sat, 30 May 2009 10:20:57 +0000

This is a good article, I have Office 2007 and I often miss the previous versions for the same reasons. Posted by Nick Disney, Faculty Placement Specialist at Ashford University, on the The Official Brigham Young University Alumni Network on LinkedIn.com

By: Karen Kalm

Karen Kalm — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:38:30 +0000

Walter, thanks so much for sharing this. I could relate to everything you said and more about the frustration of knowing the old commands. You are a New Commands angel. Posted by Karen Kalm, Talent Management & HR Specialist on The Official Brigham Young University Alumni Network group at LinkedIn.com

By: Robin Gorenberg

Robin Gorenberg — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:16:28 +0000

I just upgraded to Office 2007 but kept Word 2003 on my system because i love it and really can't stand the new interface with Word 2007, but will eventually start getting used to 2007 Word. However, I discovered this great add-in (that you have to pay for, but it's only $15 for the Word version and $30 for the entire Office version) which gives you the "classic" view instead of the new 2007 "ribbon"! There are several programs out there similar to this, but the 1 that seems to be the most reliable is this one. Here's an article about it. So you get the best of both worlds - the benefits of the new features in Office/Word 2007, with the old classic menu and drop-downs - The only negative with the add-in "classic view" is that you have no control over customizing this "classic" menu (can't add commands and can't remove commands) but it's still great because you have the standard "drop down" menu items. And in addition to this "add-on" classic view (or even if you don't buy the add-on), on Word 2007 you can actually hide the "ribbon" and add ALL of the commands you like to use to the quick-access bar and it gets longer and longer (doesn't have to have a drop down list - can all be listed across the top of the screen). Posted by Robin Gorenberg, Estate Planning & Probate Attorney - Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Probate, Estate Tax, Elderlaw on the Estate Planning group of LinkedIn.com

By: Pete Fossi

Pete Fossi — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:07:31 +0000

Thanks Walter. Too bad it doesn't work with Outlook as well. I have some "Lost Commands" in that as well. Posted by Pete Fossi Unique Settlement Solutions in the Insurance Professionals group at LinkedIn.com