Hi! So, I've been a lifelong supporter of PC's but recently made the switch to a Mac. I'm happy I made the change but am still getting used to a few things. Who knew it would bug me so much that there are no "home" or "end" keys to quickly take me to the beginning or ending of my text line or that I'd no longer be able to delete forwards. That aside, I'm looking for input on word processing using the Mac. I have a zillion documents I've created over the years using Microsoft Word on my PC that I'm struggling to access. Currently, I'm using Google Docs to convert my documents but it is not doing a very good job. Nothing looks like it should and Google Docs is very limited on what I am able to create. I create a lot of graphs and incorporate a lot of word art and graphics/pictures into my documents. Does anyone use Microsoft Word for Mac? If so, what do you think of it? Any info on how it compares to the PC version would be helpful. Also, if you have recommendations for other word processing programs, I'd appreciate it!
Thanks in advance! :)
K N. - thank you so much for explaining how to delete forward!!! I'm jumping up and down with joy! It's the little things in life. :) Glad to hear Microsoft Office has worked well for most and thank you for the other options too! Taking a class at the Apple Store is a great suggestion that I had never thought of. I appreciate everyone's help!
I use MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) on my Mac and have no issues. They're pretty much the same as the versions I use on my office PC laptop. Worth the money if you ask me…
We have the Microsoft Word program for our Mac and I like it. I don't do a ton of work on it, but the stuff I do I find it easy to use and haven't had any problems.
We actually had the Mac store convert all our old documents (the whole hard drive) for us. We just dropped it off for a few hours and they did everything. Now it is stored on our new hard drive under "PC" or some such thing so we can find it easily if we're looking for it. It was free when we bought the computer, so I would check into that.
I use Open Office on my Mac because I couldn't justify ponying up the bucks for Office when most of my work is for volunteer positions :)
Go to an Apple store.... and TAKE a class.
It is free.
The Mac is a whole different thing.
Apples and oranges.
You cannot compare it to a PC.
I you still think in a "PC" manner and mindframe, then you won't "get" the Mac.
That happened to my Mom. Who is a computer analyst.
It took her time to adjust to her Mac.
Because, she was still thinking in a "PC" way.
And a Mac is not a PC.
So it won't work in a PC manner.
A Mac is SOOOOOOOOO much easier.
REALLY, take a class at your local Apple store.
They teach people things all the time, even basic stuff.
My Mom goes there all the time.
You can have "Office" on a Mac.
In the meantime, I would highly suggest, you backup all your stuff on the computer. Until it is totally transitioned. And also put things on a thumb drive so it is portable.
The Apple store, via a class, can help you with that.
I used to have a PC long ago.
I now have a Mac.
I won't go back.
I have Microsoft on my Mac.
No problem.
We have word for Mac because both of us have PCs at work. It works well, but I don't think it is as user friendly. I get frustrated because I don't have the right-click shortcuts and the tool bar is organized differently. It takes some getting used to.
I had to buy MS Office for the Mac. I tried, but couldn't stand to use the cheaper Apple versions of Word and Excel. Welcome to the world of Apple. I love my Mac, but the thing that annoys me the most is that you cannot print selected highlighted text.
And I use the MS Skydrive with all of my Office documents. It's great to be able to do cloud computing between my laptop and PC using Office software. Good luck!
LOVE my Mac!
I've used both Word & Pages and much prefer Word. I find it simpler than the PC version I've seen, though adjusting to any new software takes time.
A couple of things:
to forward delete, hold the "fn" key (lower left on your keyboard) and then hit the "delete" key at the same time.
for "right clicks", tap the trackpad with two fingers, slightly separated.
Have fun with it -- and, yes, take the class.
You went MAC? Run....... LOL.
We did a PC after years with a (buggy) Mac.
A MAC should be awesome, if it worked and didn't freeze up or simply break down all the time. I had to throw it out after a few years!
If you have a lot of documents that were created with MS Word, then purchase the Mac version as well. Your copy will still be there but you will most likely need to re-rag your copy and change your font if it is not one that is compatible with a Mac. But it shouldn't be too much of a hassle to do depending on what it is you created. I personally don't use Microsoft but before I had my kids, I worked as a graphic artist and I would get much of the copy and write-ups I needed to use in projects I had in Word documents that were initially created from a PC version. So I would have to open the docs and do a copy and paste into the program I was using.
Congrats to the Apple switch! I personally HATE PC's. Would never use them, think they are confusing, etc. You are gonna love your little Mac!
i've got the office package for my mac (word, excel and powerpoint) and they work pretty well. my issue is that my little mini is overwhelmed and needs to be replaced. i'm pretty bummed- for what the little guy cost, i sure expected to get more than 3 years out of him.
not sure i'll do mac again. i can't believe i'm saying it!
khairete
S.
