This was specifically done to allow for greater data and information usability across all applications, a feature than had only been partially supported in the varying application versions in the past (Boeri, 2007). Microsoft apparently put a massive amount of effort into improving Excel, and the 2007 edition reflects much greater flexibility in graphing, table alignment, formatting and calculation options (Adams, 2006). There are also fewer constraints in Excel 2007 for completing tables and greater focus on graphical ease of use (Zarowin, 2008). Microsoft has also struggled to keep pace with the level of innovation that the Internet has brought to personal productivity applications. In the design of Outlook 2007 the integration of better scheduling and RSS feeds has been accomplished (Dyszel, 2007). Despite all of these advantages, the design of Microsoft Office 2007 is so in-depth in terms of functionality and navigational cues to users it can easily overwhelm with its focus on prompting users to adopt its advanced features (Oppenheim, 2007). Ironically the Favorite Files option is gone across all applications and Page Preview has been replaced with Percentage Viewing options. With the design objective of bringing more usability to the suite of applications it is also ironic the Ribbon is not customizable through XML or special programming as well (Mendelson, 2007). All Microsoft Office 2007 applications also save in multiple file structures as well, further complicating the organization of the data structures (Boeri, 2007). There are additional drawbacks in each of the Microsoft Office Suite applications that further confuse users...

The design objective of ensuring a higher level of usability was attained in this suite of personal productivity applications. Critics contend that too many usability options were included (Oppenheim, 2007) yet the advances made in areas of weakness in previous editions (Johnston, 2008) makes this edition worth considering. The bottom line is that Microsoft did accomplish the goal of greater usability.
References

Adams, B. (2008). Discover the Power of Excel 2007. Journal of Accountancy, 205(2), 60-62,64,66,10.

Robert Boeri. (2007, July). Microsoft Office Professional 2007, 30(6), 22-24.

Cong, Y., & Du, H.. (2008). Web Syndication Using RSS. Journal of Accountancy, 205(6), 48-50,52,12

Bill Dyszel. (2007, June). Microsoft Office the Way of the E-Mail Ninja; Learn the way of the E-Mail Ninja to maximize your Outlook 2007 usage. PC Magazine, 26(13), 103.

Fontana, J.. (2009, September). No alternative to Microsoft Office? IBM begs to differ. Network World, 26(28), 11.

Johnston, S.. (2008, May). BUGS & FIXES. PC World, 26(5), 54.

Barbara Krasnoff. (2006, June). Office Gets Radical Redesign, InformationWeek,

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Edward Mendelson. (2007, August). Microsoft Office Top Office Problems, Solved; You can solve your Microsoft Office Ribbon problems with third party add-ins. PC Magazine, 26(16),…