Creating a table means navigating through a tedious interface where you have to set the number for each of the rows and columns.įormatting the table is equally tedious. The speed with which this task was performed in Office 2007 only highlights the clunkiness of the dated interface used by OpenOffice. Immediately after that the ribbon switches to the selection of styles available to format your table, with the table updating with a live preview as you hover the mouse over each style. A neat grid pops up to let you draw out the number of rows and columns you want your table to start off with. Creating a table in Office 2007 is as simple as clicking on Insert, then selecting the Table button. This is a great example of where the ribbon interface really shines. The simple task of creating and formatting a table is used as the basis for this comparison. There are no images or video demos, and no integration with up to date online help data. While you can search it easily enough, the results are very limited when compared to the richness of the Office 2007 help system.
OpenOffice comes with a basic, text-based help system. The help doesn’t just come in the form of text instructions – there are also images and even video demos to show you exactly how things are done. Office 2007 provides a rich, online-integrated help system that searches both the local help information as well as the Office Online website to find the answers and instructions you are looking for. A good help file is essential for those who need quick, clear answers that help them get the job done. Common functions are not presented more prominently than less common functions, and at the high resolution users run on today’s large screens it makes finding the correct button a very difficult (and squinty) exercise.įrom time to time I will get stuck on something new, or just forget how something is done. The OpenOffice interface is bland in comparison, seemingly stuck in the dated “rows of buttons” style. The ribbon also scales very well to large screens, which are very common these days. The ribbon also dynamically expands and contracts as the application window is resized, keeping as many useful functions visible as possible rather than just dropping the ones furthest to the right. Buttons and menus are more visible than before, particularly the common functions which are emphasised with larger buttons than less common functions. This interface is a massive improvement to ease of use for the end user. Office 2007 introduced the innovative “ribbon” interface to replace the previous “squinting at rows of buttons” interface. The speed with which common tasks can be performed.The quality of the help files and assistance when you get stuck.The five points I used to compare the two are: I compared Microsoft Office 2007 to OpenOffice to find out which is the better office suite.
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