Microsoft Office for Macintosh 2001

A curvy new interface, which echoes the elegance of the upcoming Mac OS X, reveals improvements in each component. Word's versatile editing tools now include instant access to Encarta dictionary definitions; and Excel now imports FileMaker databases, sorts and manages lists, and sports a new calculator that simplifies formula creation. PowerPoint's new Tri-Pane interface and text AutoFit feature make it easier to build presentations. Plus, the ability to save PowerPoint documents as QuickTime movies makes it easier to share them.

The most significant addition to Office 2001 is the new personal information manager. Dubbed Entourage, it will handle your e-mail (AutoFormat and AutoCorrect features that are borrowed from Word nicely refine composition), address book, to-do list, and calendar. Entourage can filter your e-mail and tasks quickly with color-coded categories and custom views, and sync seamlessly with your Palm OS device, which helps to keep you organized.

Entourage's presence is felt throughout Office 2001--every application will let you flag documents for follow-up and pass the reminder on to the calendar, and the address book is accessible at any time, which is invaluable if you use Word for mail-merge tasks.

This integrated approach is key to Office 2001's appeal. A new Formatting Palette automatically shows tools that are relevant to the task at hand; the Office Clipboard palette keeps track of multiple items that have been copied from different Office applications; and the ubiquitous Office Assistant is always on hand with tips and how-to advice.

Our advice? With features as wide-ranging as these, Office 2001 makes it easy for you to create, manage, and present your documents like a real pro. --Jack Gardiner

Amazon.com Product Description
Microsoft Office 2001 was created specifically for Macintosh and designed to give you all the tools you need, simply and effectively. Office 2001 contains Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the new Entourage e-mail and personal information manager. With these four tightly integrated programs and innovative Mac features, Office 2001 makes everything you do--from completing common tasks to managing information to communicating--easier than ever. Use Word to create stylish, innovative, professional documents for print publishing or the Web. Use Excel's comprehensive tool set to create, analyze, and share spreadsheets. Easily analyze your data with charts, PivotTable views, and graphs, then post your data to the Web for universal viewing. With PowerPoint, you can create powerful presentations quickly. And with Entourage, you have a personal e-mail and scheduling manager. All are designed for the Macintosh and its innovative and familiar functionality.

As with most "Value Packs" or "CD Extras," one needs to do a "custom install" because some of these "free" applications might be earlier versions than those which one is already running (if one has kept current with updates). As another example, I have been running Internet Explorer 5 for some time. I did not need to re-install it and re-configure my plug-ins and preferences. Also, I have Outlook Express 5.02; I did not need to re-install it. I did not like the way the these two programs "interfaced," so I have tweaked them so they that do not grab information from each other. (I highly recommend Aladdin Systems "Spring Cleaning 3.5" software's "Internet Cache Remover" feature to assist with this issue.)

With MS Office for Mac 2001, PowerPoint documents can now be "saved as" QuickTime Movies, which is a timesaver for creating presentations. This feature is quite an improvement over Office 98, even if it does grab a considerable amount of RAM. (Do check to see if you need to add more RAM to your Mac before installation of this software.) I have been keeping Virtual Memory turned on, with which I boost my RAM by 150 percent, with only a slightly detectable slowing of processing speed.

My vote is still out on the new Entourage program. I need to test it more to see if I like it, and if it will work efficiently with e-mail applications with proxies and with those behind firewalls. One bonus for Mac users has been the relative immunity to most e-mail generated viruses, worms, and trojan horses, so I plan to make the transition to Entourage with all due discretion. The ability to integrate with Palm OS is nothing new for Mac users; however, Entourage may simplify the process. ...

The instant access to "Encarta Dictionary" through Word may appeal to some users. I do not like "Encarta Dictionary" very much, although it is an improvement over the dictionary that was included in Word 6.01a. I prefer to use the only CD-ROM dictionary that I believe works with Mac OS at present, which is "The Oxford English Dictionary" 2nd ed. (However, it still seems necessary to keep it as the resident CD-ROM for it to work with the Mac OS.)

Finally, the main drawback to MS Office for Mac 2001 is that there is no manual in print now for users who run Mac OS 9.1. So be prepared to do your de-bugging, tweaking, and navigating without much written help until the various "after-market" print manuals are updated and reissued.


Not an overwhelming update, but a welcome one...   October 4, 2000
M-D November (Princeton, NJ USA)
29 out of 32 found this review helpful

First thing about this product, and about all Microsoft products for Mac that have come out over the last few years - installation is simple, just drag and drop one folder for a basic install, or run the installer to get only certain components. Either way works well (I've used them both).

The big deal with this version of Office is the new e-mail client/PIM, Entourage. This is sort of a combination of Outlook, from the Windows version (calendar, powerful address book, reminders, tasks), and the popular free Outlook Express for Mac (mail, newsgroups, directory services) - and if you ask me, they kept the best parts of OE for Mac and built the rest around what was already a great program. The calendar function is a little on the weak side, but OK for a version 1.0 program. The important thing is that Entourage handles Mail, News and other functions with a very Mac-centric feel; there's very little in way of learning curve. Palm synchronization is also a nice touch. I wouldn't necessarilly call this a "killer app", because most of the functions most users will utilize in Entourage can be found in OE - but if you're going to pony up what MS is asking for the new versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint, it's a nice added bonus. Also, Entourage serves as a "hub" for the other Office applications, so it's designed as a place from which to start whatever you're working on. (One more note about Entourage: since Office for Mac isn't as tightly connected to the OS as its Windows cousin, Entourage must be open to deliver reminders & calendar items. But since most mail users keep their mail reader open all the time anyway, this probably won't be a big deal.)

Speaking of which, the new versions of those core programs seem to be changed little in terms of function - new features have been slathered on liberally, as is Microsoft's upgrade policy, but unlike Office 2000 for Windows, the new features aren't as "in-your-face". The first thing you notice is the revised GUI, which finally makes the Mac version of Office look and feel less like it's Windows counterpart. Programs are speedier, which is a welcome change from Office 98 and Office 4.3.1, which seemed to lumber about. A welcome change to Word in particular is that the screen has been de-cluttered, to a point - the fotmatting toolbar has been replaced with a palate that can sit anywhere on screen, or closed completely. The Office Assistant is still here as well, and can now be resized at will. The changes to the core programs aren't massive, but they were needed and are welcome.

Problems with this release: Users of RamDoubler 9 will be disappointed on the outset, because Office 2001 doesn't work with RamDoubler - yet. Enough has been posted about this conflict that I suspect that MS will post a patch in the near future. Also - anyone fond of the Office Manager menu, hold on to the old extension - there is no Office Manager in this release. Users are expected to use the "project gallery" (which replaces the "New" dialog box) in Entourage to open the other applications, assuming you don't just open them directly.

Overall, this version is (aside from Entourage) more about the little things - but a lot of little things add up to a big thing. Also, if you're looking for platform cross-compatable word processing, spreadsheets and presentations, Office is really the only way to go. The addition of Entourage finally gives users something else to use besides Netscape (which I've always felt was bloatware since version 4), and that's worth something. All in all, it gets 4 out of 5. It misses the 5th star because of the price - for the featureset, it's a little expensive. But if you're an avid Office user (like me), it's worth it. (Remember, also, that there's an upgrade for existing Office users...)


Reasons to upgrade from Office 98   October 17, 2000
29 out of 31 found this review helpful

If you are a contented user of Office 98, there are not many reasons why you *should* upgrade to Office 2001. Functionalities and file formats are the same, for instance, so it's not an absolute must. Some reasons why you might consider upgrading:

* You are a upgrade queen and, like me, enjoy using the latest, niftiest software.

* You work in an office environment where other people use Office for Windows. For you, Entourage and the new calendar/appointment software will get you integrated with the Windows world even more--while retaining your Macness on your desk.

* You want an integrated calendar, address book, and task manager instead of what you've been using so far (Now, Palm Desktop, etc.).

One caveat: Office 2001 doesn't seem to play friendly with memory management. There seem to be conflicts with RAM Doubler 9 and/or Internet Explorer 5.5 (other users have reported these goings on too, which you can read more about on MacFixit's Web site). You may want to wait for Connectix and/or Microsoft to release their first fix-it patches for Office 2001 to ensure a smooth transition--particularly advisable if you make your living using Office on your Mac.

Otherwise, this upgrade isn't a "must." It is a fine upgrade, notably faster, quite a bit more attractive, lots of subtle but useful functionality enhancements. Entourage is spectacular, too. But if Office 98 meets your needs, you can feel confident about sticking with it for a while, too.


incremental improvements   October 3, 2000
21 out of 21 found this review helpful

Essentially an incremental update of Office, with some cosmetic improvements and a useful new automatic floating palette function. It's good that Microsoft has stopped simply porting the Windows version of Office to the Mac; however, if you are happy with Mac Office 98, you should look at the "new" features carefully to ensure upgrading is worth the hassle and the cost. Beware of the included Value Pack as well, it will slap several hundred Mb of flashy clip art and bloated document templates on your hard drive if you aren't careful.


Overpriced & Crash-prone   February 7, 2001
larimdaeht (san francisco)
19 out of 24 found this review helpful

I am surprised by the number of positive reviews for this version of Office. I have used Office 98 for 3 years, which had it's problems but was OK. This version doesn't provide many new features & certainly isn't worth the price upgrade. Moreover, the only new feature, Entourage, crashes your computer (if you are running OS 9) & simply doesn't work. Trying to hotsync w/ your Palm is not an easy matter if you can get it to work. Moreover, Microsoft still loads a bunch of extensions into your system folder which conflict with other Microsoft software, especially Outlook Explorer & Internet Express. It's been a nightmare just trying to things to work properly. I have tried all the fixes posted on troubleshooting sites, but still have yet to get Entourage to evenopen. To add insult to injury the Upgrade price is even more than I paid to buy the full Office '98 package w/ extras.