Try the 2007 Microsoft Office system online

There's been an amazing amount of interest in the 2007 Microsoft Office system beta, but many of you aren't able to download and install the beta software. This is where the online test-drive steps in. By using the test-drive you can try out all of the products in the 2007 release without having to worry about installation.

Plus, not only do you get to explore the familiar desktop programs (such as Excel, Word and Outlook), but server-based products such as SharePoint Services have also been set up as part of the test drive.

You've also been sending us lots of questions about the beta 2, so we've updated the Frequently Asked Questions page on the Preview site. If your question isn't there, just email us at atworkuk@microsoft.com and we'll do our best to get you an answer.

Enjoy the beta!
Chris

Suffering from information overload?

According to recent research, the average "office" worker has seen the volume of business-related email they receive increase by a factor of ten since 1997.

So if you've been thinking that work never used to be this busy, then you're probably right! As well as doing whatever you're paid to do, we all have to cope with an ever-increasing volume of information demanding our attention.

Trying to stay on top of it all is a fast route to meltdown, while ignoring it all and hoping that people will chase you for the important stuff won't exactly enhance your reputation or prospects!

Instead, follow these quick and effective tips for taking control of your inbox and conquer information overload.

And on a similar theme, you might like to read this article from the Guardian on all the interuptions we suffer at work (and how to solve them)...

5 time-saving Word tips
If you use Word in your daily work, a few simple tips will help save at least an hour of your time per week. Best of all, these tips are so easy to use that you can put them to work immediately.

Check out the new look Office
Haven't been able to download the new Beta? Watch the demo and see what all the fuss is about.

Spell-checking takes a giant leap forward
Read this post in the Office Pioneer blog and discover the improved spell-checking in the 2007 release.

More on email management

Don't miss two recent blog postings on grappling with the challenges of managing email and work. From Office Pioneer, Gill reports on how the new to-do bar (in the 2007 release) has helped her stay on top of work; while Allister has some words of wisdom on the often-overlooked productivity device that is the delete key!

Readers' Corner

In Excel, if you want to display text in a cell but retain a number format to allow for calculations then you can use a Custom Format.

Within the Format Cells option click the Number tab and select Custom from the Category list. In the Type box type the custom format that you wish to create using speech marks around text and normal number formatting codes. Some examples are:

0.0 "Metres"
0 "ft"
"Percentage rate of " 0%

Your spreadsheet will look neater with the labels next to the figures and as the text is just formatting you can still use the cell in calculations without getting the dreaded #value! error.

Thanks to Rowan Pye for this tip. Rowan, there's a copy of OneNote winging its way over to you now.

Don't forget if you want to participate in the Readers' Corner, email your Office hint, tip, idea or template to atworkuk@microsoft.com.

Save time with Excel formulas
Check out this beginner's guide to understanding and creating formulas in Excel.

Get to know OneNote

Beta Undercover Reporter

What's new in Word 2007?
This month the Beta Undercover Report explores Word and gets to grips with Live Preview, Styles, Galleries and more.

Get Windows Live Messenger

With the new Windows Live Messenger, everything you love about MSN Messenger just got better. Check out the new ways you can instantly connect and share with people on the world's most popular instant messaging network. All without leaving anything behind - including your identity.

Quick tip: Excel

When working in Excel, pressing Shift+F2 automatically creates a new comment.

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