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New Interface

The Ribbon

Instead of displaying pull down menus and toolbars, the ribbon displays the commands in sets of tabs. The sets of the tabulated commands are organized by functionality and change depending on what a user is trying to do (i.e.; inserting tables, doing a page layout, etc.).

Microsoft Button

Above the ribbon located in the top left corner is the Microsoft Button. Also a part of the Office Fluent User Interface (UI) work environment, the Microsoft button allows a user to be able to access file/document functional operation commands by simply clicking on the Microsoft button (Open, Save, Print, Send, Close, etc.).  

Contextual Tabs

Office Fluent User Interface (UI) displays Contextual Tabs of commands only when a user clicks on objects of certain types with the intent to edit it (i.e.; a chart in Excel 2007). Displaying contextual tabs in this manner makes it quicker and easier for a user to find and use the commands needed for the editing procedure at hand.

Galleries

At the heart of the Office Fluent User Interface (UI) are the Galleries. Galleries are results-oriented processes that allow users to be able to quickly prepare and view a simple set of potential final presentation format options.  Rather than having to work through a series of dialog boxes with numerous options, with the use of this “Live Preview” feature users can quickly “pick and click” to achieve and view their desired results. For those users who prefer a greater degree of control over the results, the traditional dialog box interface processes remain available.

1. Click the Useful Tips menu choice for information about the new file type formats & ways to convert files.

2. Be sure to check the Resources page for additional software specific training materials.