Mac Mojo: The Office for Mac Team Blog

Today we have the first in a series of behind-the-scenes looks at Office for Mac 2011. And who better to show the new tools and features than the people who created them. We want to introduce Eric Schuchman, Program Manager, PowerPoint; Ryan Panchadasaram, Program Manager, Outlook for Mac; Amy Wang, Developer, Outlook for Mac; and no stranger to Mac Mojo - Han-Yi Shaw, User Experience Manager. The team has a short video (above) and here is a quick look at the new feature they discuss:

•    Starting off with the new Template Gallery in Office 2011, this feature allows you to quickly and easily pick a template from the built-in designs to the thousands of templates online – giving you a head start to create great looking, professional documents.

•    Core features in Outlook for Mac like the Conversation View help you sort emails easily to keep track of what you need to do. Additionally, the new file-based database is faster and provides more stability with Time Machine support.

•    Tying all of the new features together is the Office for Mac ribbon, designed as an evolution of the Office 2008 Elements Gallery while also utilizing the classic Mac menu and Standard Toolbar giving you the best of both worlds. We have put the most commonly used controls at your fingertips making it easier for you to find what you need. You can even minimize the ribbon and the Toolbar for more screen space or for the more advanced users who rely on keyboard shortcuts.

Check back in with Mac Mojo or on Facebook as we begin to reveal more sneak peeks at Office 2011. Office 2011 will be available the last quarter of the calendar year.

Looking forward to sharing more updates as the summer goes on!

Posted by: Mac Mojo Team in Office for Mac 2011
Tags: outlook, ribbon, conversation view, Office for Mac 2011

36 Comments

Comments | Who's Blogging This

scotty321

Jul 28, 2010

2:55pm

Screw Mcirosoft

After 26 years of screwing over Mac users, Microsoft is finally try to give a half-assed effort at Office for Mac? Go screw yourselves.

[Kawika]

Kawika

Jul 28, 2010

3:56pm

Scotty321, chill. Microsoft, thanks.

scotty321, no need to be rude. The MacBU has been making software for more than a quarter century. Some of it great. Some of it less so. Either way, you don't just turn around a ship this big on a dime. Our entire office is on 2008. Sure, there are problems. Personally, I'm looking forward to replacing Entourage with Outlook for the staff and being able to use a Time Capsule again.

A link to the Facebook page would be helpful, however, as would be some links to the latest screenshots.

Meanwhile, thanks for supporting the platform.

[Washu]

Washu

Jul 28, 2010

3:56pm

Outlook

I so can't wait for Outlook!!! This will really make things easier with other staff using Outlook on Windows.

[harmlessrobot]

harmlessrobot

Jul 28, 2010

4:11pm

Ribbon

Please tell me that you have removed the floating palette in favor of the full ribbon interface of the windows version. It never really played well with multiple desktop spaces. Also, it would be great if we could use tabbed document management within each application, instead of individual overlapped windows.

[KirkMcPike]

KirkMcPike

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

Office 2011

I'm very much looking forward to Office 2011. My entire life basically flows through Microsoft Entourage, though, so the only part of the transition that worries me is Outlook. I've seen the mail, calendar, tasks, notes and contacts... does that mean I'm going to lose my Project Center functionality? That's a real shame.

Still, this next release looks like a step in the right direction. I've used every version of Office since 4.0. Folks don't realize how much better things have gotten since the Mac Business Unit took over development of Office back in 1997. The '98, 2001 and 2004 releases were top notch, though v.X and 2008 were slight stumbles. 2011 looks like it will set things right. What's the release date?

[moonlightmonkey]

moonlightmonkey

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

Where is Resource Calendaring?

As a Mac SysAdmin in a Exchange environment, I have been waiting for years for resource calendaring to make an appearance in Entourage/Outlook...

Looks like I'm still waiting...

C'mon Microsoft! When will Mac users get *full* Exchange support?

[theclayman]

theclayman

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

Excited to see this new release!

Outlook is obviously very much anticipated.

[fred27]

fred27

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

Excel file compatibility and VBA

Hello

What is the status of VBA for Office 2011? Will there be file compatibility between Excel Mac and Windows with Office 2011 for the Mac? Will my Excel 2004 VBA Excel files be upgradable to 2011?

These are all very serious questions for the success of Office 2011 on the Mac and Mac Excel in particular.

I'm sure that all the interface and ease of use features will be nice but if Excel doesn't have VBA I can't use it.

Thanks

Bill Parks

[giladwas]

giladwas

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

What about the basics?

Like right-to-left language support? How long do we have to wait for that? How hard is it add this feature to the software?

[kaf]

kaf

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

I need to test office 2011

Please contact me by kaf@live.cn

I think i will help office for mac sell more.

Thanks.

kaf

[pfl4]

pfl4

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

PowerPoint font issues and more...

Will 2011 support T1, otf's(all flavors) ttf's with less or dare I say, no pain as compared to the never-implemented, at least not in our office, 2008? How about real color-management support for those of us in the design/branding/advertising world...you know, where accurate color can win or lose a client? Do you have a comparative 2008 vs 2011 white paper so we can be informed customers and know what we're getting in our upgrade? I know you guys are trying and I applaud your efforts, really I do. I had the pleasure of touring your lab in Redmond several years back and if you are still under the same restraints my hearts go out to you. Don't give up! We Mac users are counting on your dedication to the platform!

[rokit5]

rokit5

Jul 30, 2010

9:23am

2011 Outlook

I would be interested if 2011 Outlook can sync not only to IPhones, but to palms, HTC's, Blackberrys, etc.

Prior to converting to MAC, the most critical usage of PC-Outlook for myself ,was the ability to sync my smartphone with outlook.

There has not been a consistent third party conduit for MAC calendar (ICal, Entourage) directly to my phone, with the exception of GMail. I am not interested in using a cloud calendar.

[deangles]

deangles

Jul 30, 2010

9:23am

more iPhone integration

Actually, Entourage's contacts and events sync fine with Apple's Address Book and iCal on my iPhone. (All my email accounts were were recognized when I set up the phone.) However, I rely on the Entourage tasks and notes. I'm not interested in buying another app for notes and task. Will Outlook for Mac be able to sync notes and tasks to my iPhone? The preview of Outlook looks good so far.

[frodo2007]

frodo2007

Jul 30, 2010

9:23am

What about Pivot?

MacBU, please give some information about the Pivot functionality in Office 2011. I hope it will be on par with Office 2010 for PC (incl. Pivot-Charts etc.) ...

[gaylewri]

gaylewri

Aug 02, 2010

3:55pm

Sounds great!!

This sounds like a great thing is coming!!!!

[pmacedosouza]

pmacedosouza

Aug 02, 2010

3:55pm

Offiice for Mac 2011 OneNote

What about OneNote ? This what I miss the most after I left windows.

[Seachran]

Seachran

Aug 02, 2010

3:56pm

Outlook for Mac & MobileMe

Hi,

Just wondering if Outlook for Mac will sync with MobileMe seamlessly?

Thanks,

Clinton.

[jameskp]

jameskp

Jul 28, 2010

2:55pm

re iPhone integration

I have not seen much about how Office 2011 will work with the iPhone. I like the idea of having my contacts, calendar and email in one program, so switching to Office is a no-brainer. However, if I am going to switch my contacts, calendar and email to Office, it's got to easily sync with my iPhone. Right now, no version of Office for Mac seems to accomplish this. I am hoping that changes with 2011. I am eager to see.

paulism

Jul 28, 2010

2:55pm

Facebook

Where are you guy on Facebook. Did a search and couldn't find it

[dayhoff]

dayhoff

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

Too late.

Sorry to be negative, but the Outlook ship has sailed. I think Mac users have long since moved on to MacMail and Thunderbird.

I can't wait for a Facebook button either, I really love making Facebook part of everything I do. How else will I know my friend put 12 cookies in his mouth while I am working.

[Michaels, Rich]

Rich Michaels

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

Ribbon Customization

Will we be able to add ribbon customizations as we can with the Windows version? And if so, how will it be accomplished?

Thanks, I'm really looking forward to your response and to the product itself.

[thewinchester]

thewinchester

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

Scotty321 has a valid point

@Kawika: While you might not agree with the tone used in his comments, he makes a valid point.

MS has for too long ignored the needs of its Mac customers, lumbering them with also-ran quality products or leaving them waiting too long.

I think the core of the 'go screw yourselves' thinking is that MS has a lot of making up to do to achieve the notion that they care enough about their customers to do right,
which seems to be one of the core messages in today's video.

I look forward to seeing how MS intends to rebuild the lost loyalty of its Mac customers, it'll be a hard but valuable road ahead if they do.

@harmlessrobot: Yes, the floating palette is gone (Or if you live in Australia, it's dead, buried and cremated).

@paulism: Office:Mac team on Facebook is located at http://www.facebook.com/#!/officeformac?ref=ts

[lordjeremias]

lordjeremias

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

Equations as pictures - buggy as hell

(this was for the "what document were you proud to write" post bellow but somehow it didn't make it to the comments)

I would be really proud to write my phd thesis, or a couple of articles or even just my phd presentation document in Word 2008 for mac if the equations didn't converted arbitrarily to pictures, the app didn't start giving me saving errors and if i actually could use equation editor.

When will you correct the Equation as pictures bug that seems to plague Microsoft Word every time i use it to write a serious document? it's everywhere in the support forums! can i at least expect to use word productively in a scientific environment?

and now, on to start learning latex based text editors due to the lack of competition...

[wideEyedPupil]

wideEyedPupil

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

Re: Office for Mac 2011 Behind-the-Scenes: Conversations, Templates and more!

well that told me nothing

[DenverAve]

DenverAve

Jul 29, 2010

1:45pm

RE: iPhone Integration

Really right? Not just iPhone, there's a big thing called iPad

[Hailfire753]

Hailfire753

Jul 29, 2010

2:17pm

Great Video!

Looking forward to seeing the improvements from your focus on speed and efficiency!

[LMP]

LMP

Jul 30, 2010

9:23am

Office of Mac 2011 New Video

Just saw the new video on 2011 Office for Mac. What a major disappointment. It showed a bunch of features I am not too interested in. For example - more Powerpoint templates, ok I guess but not a big deal (this was the lead off of the video, how odd to have razzle dazze versus substance.) We also got with Office calendar etc. So what. I guess its needed but not by me, I already have the Mac calendar and it syncs with Mobile Me. If the new Office one can't do that, not worth anything to me.

Microsoft, here's what I want. Stable versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint that work like the Windows versions. 2008 doesn't deliver so well. Thats it. Thats all I want. If you can't deliver that then don't waste your time on all the other crap.

[aaronosb]

aaronosb

Jul 30, 2010

9:23am

Office 2011 Video

Not really much information is given on the video. Good looking personnel however!
I'm a bit anxious over the change from Entourage to Outlook for Mac Users. I've not had good experiences with Outlook prior to this. I have always really liked Entourage and hate to lose it. It's a great tool. Why does Microsoft want to get rid of a good thing? This may be the deciding point for me to upgrade or not.SO I Hope the transition from Entourage to OUtlook will be easy and worth it. And that everything will migrate well.

[astegmaier]

astegmaier

Jul 30, 2010

9:23am

sharepoint contacts list integration with Outlook for Mac

Will Outlook for Mac 2011 have the ability to connect and syncronize to a Sharepoint contacts list through stssync in the same manner as outlook for Windows? I didn't notice it in the latest Beta 5, but perhaps it will be added in the future.

Thanks,
Andrew

[JImU]

JImU

Jul 30, 2010

9:23am

super

I cant not wait for it, its going to be super good

[Ninjahippies]

Ninjahippies

Jul 30, 2010

9:23am

Entourage/Outlook Database?

Hi - I'm a sysadmin taking care of Macs in a corporate Exchange environment - and the Entourage database has been the hardest thing for me to manage.

Would you please tell us more about the Outlook database improvements that were mentioned in the video? Will Outlook for Mac support the standard .mbox format or allow exporting to a standard format? Will Outlook for Mac allow easy importing of .pcf (Outlook for Windows) and .rge (Entourage archive) ?

The improvements made to Entourage for Mac: Web Services Edition have eased my workload burden significantly. I don't know what you guys did but fixing the calendar syncing issues with Exchange in EWS was phenomenal and you decreased my workload a ton!

Now I'm hoping that Outlook for Mac will allow the same EWS stability with a more cross-platform friendly import/export of mailbox data.

Please tell us more about the database improvements and compatibility features!!!

Thanks!
"Ninjahippies"

[moman]

moman

Aug 02, 2010

3:55pm

ToDO Bar in Outlook

Any chance we'll see the ToDo bar in Outlook?

[jermcg]

jermcg

Aug 02, 2010

3:55pm

Excel dates on the Mac and the PC

The fact that they work differently on the Mac vs. the PC never made since to me and causes really problems. I create a spreadsheet on my Mac and give it to a client with a PC and his dates change by 4 years. Please tell me the new version fixes this old problem.

[Ree, Nana]

Nana Ree

Aug 03, 2010

10:30am

Calendar in Office for Mac 2011

I work in a large office scheduling meetings constantly with several people. During my Outlook days I was able to be a delegate and pull up several calendars in order to see a date/time available. Since moving into the Mac world and trying Virtual Machine as well as Entourage I have had to keep a PC on my desk in order to complete calendar tasks.

It has been frustrating since 75% of the staff are PC users and the remaining are Mac users. Will the new Office for Mac 2011 address some of these issues? We are hoping that the new update will alleviate a LOT of frustration and we are looking forward to the changes. Thank you.

[Capehart, Bill]

Bill Capehart

Aug 03, 2010

11:35am

Calendar for people between timezones... and no Toolbox/Palette?!?!

As someone who works between two very different timezones (GMT -6, +1, and +10), I miss Outlook's side-by-side times for different timezones on the left of the windows outlook "dayplanner" view. Will that also be in the new Mac Outlook.

Also I thought that the "floating" "toolbox/palette" was being retained. Given that our screens are getting wider (and in relation to that "shorter"), the ribbon is an not-so-good Idea in that it takes up too much vertical real estate. At least on a wide monitor or macbook screen, I can put the palette to the side. Taking out the potential for a floating palette is almost as an idea as Mac taking out the third button on their new mousie.

(And do please change the new icons... yick. The 2008's were so-so but these are almost as unimaginative and bad as the Windows Office icons.)

[SpencerJames]

SpencerJames

Aug 04, 2010

10:37am

Free update from 2008

That's awesome! Way to be a team-player here! = )

That's going to be awesome for selling old 2008 and getting 2011 going!

Good call!