What Is MS Word 2003?
- Microsoft Word is a full-featured word processing program created by Microsoft and first released for Windows in 1995. Since then the program has seen many changes. In 2003, Microsoft released the 11th official version of Microsoft Word for use on Windows 2000 and Windows XP systems. Word is always bundled with other software such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. The specific programs packaged with Word 2003 depend on which version of Office you purchase, but all versions contain Microsoft Word.
- While CNet.com claims Word 2003 is almost the same as its predecessor (Word XP), there were updates to this version. For instance, the new "Reading" layout allows you to open documents with fewer toolbars than in normal documents. This is in an attempt to make documents easier to read, but it doesn't include any additional functions. In contrast, the new research task pane integrates a research library that allows you to search reference materials, websites, Encarta, dictionaries and thesauruses, all from within Word 2003.
- According to CNet.com, the main changes in Word 2003 have to do with the XML file format. Word 2003 offers the ability to save, edit and view XML documents. XML, which stands for Extensible Markup Language, is a coding language similar to HTML that is used to create and edit web documents. While this feature may be useful for web developers, the average person doesn't have much of a use for the added XML support, making this upgrade more applicable for business applications.
- There are six different office suites that were released by Microsoft in 2007. Basic, Student and Teacher, Standard, Small Business, Professional and Professional Enterprise. Each suite offers more programs than the last, with the price increasing considerably from the Basic to the Professional Enterprise level. While different websites offer different prices, you can expect to pay between $30 to $200, depending on where you shop and which suite you purchase.
- Since 2003, Microsoft has released two new major versions of Word. 2007 saw the release of Microsoft Word 2007, which featured many new updates and features. This version was released with Windows Vista in mind but works on the XP operating system as well. As of April 2010, Microsoft just released the Beta version of Office 2010. Included in the suite is Word 2010, which features the ability to add visual effects to text, create diagrams and even edit photos from within Word without using external software.