w00t! Shiny new thing! Microsoft’s Docs, integrated with Facebook, is still in beta, but the wrappers are starting to come off. Docs is apparently part (or just is) Microsoft’s online version of Office 2010, due out later this summer. Currently Docs has online versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint. This is a cursory glance while I finish my morning caffeine.
Word
Below is the ribbon for Word 2010 (click for larger view). The first thing you’ll notice is that a tab for File has made a return, but it’s not the default selection when you start Word.
Here is the online Word ribbon, in IE 8 (click for a larger view).
And the online Word ribbon in Firefox 3.6 (click for a larger view).
The Office ribbon and the online ribbons are very similar. There are fewer options available online, but the major formatting ones are right there. Business users will find the lack of a table of contents, revision tracking, mail merge and template support limiting, but online Word is capable enough for a term paper or simple business correspondence.
Excel
Below is Excel 2010 (click for a larger view). Again, a File tab has made a return, but pretty similar to Excel 2007.
Online Excel in IE8 (click for a larger view).
Online Excel in Firefox 3.6 (click for a larger view).
The online Excel has a very familiar spreadsheet interface, including multiple worksheet support. The online version supports the basic functions of a spreadsheet, including formulas, but is lacking the analysis and more advanced features in Office 2010. No indication yet if Docs will support sparklines in Excel, or if the online Excel can be used as a mini database like the spreadsheet in Google Docs can.
Do note that in the online version, in the lower right-hand corner, there is “1 person editing”. Rumors have it that Docs supports collaborative editing, although neither Word nor PowerPoint displayed this indicator. When I find someone else with a Docs invite, we’ll test that.
PowerPoint
While PowerPoint itself doesn’t violate the Geneva Convention, some of the slide decks I’ve been forced to sit through are dubious in both their usefulness and adherence to humanitarian standards. Soon, everyone can join the fun! Managerial blasphemy aside, online PowerPoint is a pretty impressive piece of programming.
Here’s PowerPoint 2010 (click for a larger view). File tab…blah blah…lots of features…blah blah…
Here is the online PowerPoint in IE 8:
And in Firefox 3.6:
Once again, just a basic feature set, hardcore business users may find the lack of animations and templates limiting (although the audiences may welcome the lack thereof).
All in all, the first glance is very positive, and I look forward to putting Docs through its paces in the future.