A Budget Office-style Offering
Buy Now...
Although Microsoft Office is an excellent product (I use it myself), not everybody needs all the power and functionality that it brings to the party. There are a good number that would prefer something a little less demanding as regards disk space and required resources. Never the one to miss out on a marketing opportunity, Microsoft has come up with an alternative aimed at those whose needs might not be so demanding. This is Microsoft Works, currently standing at version 8, which combines word processing, spreadsheet, database and image editing features with a calendar throw in for good measure.
Works gives you the choice of using a front end launcher or accessing the individual applications from the Start Menu. The launcher is based on a calendar with a side bar listing the other applications. The calendar displayed will be for the default user and will show appointments that have been set up previously. When you need to add further items or make alterations then you will need to launch the main calendar module. You can create calendars for different people however I was only able to view these from within the main calendar module and not the launcher. Calendars can be viewed using daily, weekly or monthly layouts. You can search for specific items; send a calendar to the printer for hard copy; plus import and export data. All the entries in your current address book will be automatically added to the calendar as a Contacts section.
As you would expect from Microsoft, with its all-singing, all-dancing Word offering, the word processor included with this package provides enough features to keep the majority of users happy. It can open and save files in a wide variety of formats. By default the program will opt for its own WPS format which creates files of approximately half the size of Word documents. You have full control over text formatting with the ability to insert page and column breaks; date and time; data from your address book; plus add database fields. Hyperlinks, tables, spreadsheet data, word art and pictures can all be inserted into a document either using the tool bar or appropriate menu option. Spell checking makes use of the standard Microsoft dictionary while a series of Wizards are supplied to help the novice user get started.
As with the word processor, the spreadsheet application defaults to its own file format but can handle Excel, Lotus 123 and text file formats. Its familiar rows and columns layout lets you enter data with cells being formatted as defined by the user. You can insert / delete rows and columns; insert page breaks; plus add from the numerous supplied functions which are categorised under different headings or create your own. A range of chart styles can be used to produce a pictorial view of data with options to add grid line, a border and switch between 2D and 3D views.
The database application does not have the power or functionality of either the word processor or spreadsheet. It comes with a limited selection of templates for creating inventories, lists and recipe entries. There is an option to develop a database from scratch using the provided wizard as you select from field types with user-defined names and properties. By default a new database will be in list format but this can be changed to a form view with some customisation options. A report can be created for printing out details. While hardly up there in the power stakes, it can perform basic tasks.
The final element consists of a copy of Microsoft Digital Image 10. This product allows you to carry out a range of basic editing, fixing and touching up of images. You can add text, shapes and special effects to images plus superimpose one image on top of another. As with the database, Digital Image Pro pales in comparison to standalone applications and the first two elements of this package but should be adequate for the needs of many home users.
If all you need is a good word processor and spreadsheet plus basic database functionality then Works 8 is the product for you. At under £35 you will be getting a bargain plus the image editing and calendar facilities.
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