Excel

[potty64]

EXCEL doesn't seem to be listed on my 'All Programmes'. I have Windows Vista - shouldn't EXCEL automatically be on it?

[MarkRae]

Excel is part of Microsoft Office. It's not part of Windows, though some box shifters include a trial version. Do you recall purchasing Excel, either on its own or as part of Office...?

[ChuckFickens]

NO.

Excel is part of office, which is a separate product.

You can either buy office.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Office-Home-Student-Users/dp/B003FO8956

Or use a free alternitive
http://www.openoffice.org/download/

[ChuckFickens]

or if you just want to look at excel sheets, there is a viewer...
http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=10

[potty64]

Hi Markrae, No I don't recall purchasing Excel of Microsoft Office tho I do recall using it a long time ago. Now I'm wondering if it was on the PC at a course I was on.

[potty64]

Thx for all yr assistance everyone! I shall pursue one of the options (not tonight tho' - getting tired after laughing at stupid jokes on FB!!)

[Maydup]

check in all programs for Microsoft Office and if its not there use chucks link to the free version. Its fine for domestic use.

[MarkRae]

Maidup, for the record, there is no free version of Microsoft Office. The link that CF provided is for OpenOffice, which is not a Microsoft product, though it is intended to be an ALTERNATIVE to Microsoft Office...

[Nibble]

Just make sure NOT to install Office 2013, as it's not supported on Vista, and is not compatible, see here

http://www.techspot.com/news/49468-microsoft-office-2013-drops-support-for-xp-vista.html

[MarkRae]

You might also consider this: http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/office365/online-software.aspx

[ChuckFickens]

^ thank you... was about to post the same as MR...

99% of the time open office is "the same" as excel, but there are a few things that don't transfer.

[Buenchico]

It would actually be illegal (under EU law) for Microsoft to bundle Excel with their Windows operating system. Microsoft has had to pay massive fines because it has automatically included Internet Explorer with Windows, to the detriment of organisations offering rival browsers.

If you simply need to open an Excel document which someone has sent to you (rather than to create a new spreadsheet of your own), download and install Excel Viewer:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=10

If you want a free spreadsheet program which is compatible with Excel, download and install OpenOffice:
http://www.openoffice.org/
(It includes Calc, which mirrors Excel in the way that it works).

Chris

[Buenchico]

Having just read the posts that weren't there when I started typing, I've decided that I really do need to learn to type faster!

Nibble correctly points out that the latest version of OpenOffice isn't compatible with Vista. Older versions are here:
http://www.oldapps.com/openoffice.php

[ChuckFickens]

Morning Chris :)

I'm waiting for the fallout about windows8 including what is essentially microsoft security essentials as a free AV product in windows8, I think we are going to see the same sort of ruling for that eventually.

[Nibble]

This gives you the final listings of compatible versions of MS Office which can be installed in your Vista PC.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932087

Sorry, Office 2013 & Office 365 are NOT compatible :(

[ChuckFickens]

Officce 365 is a web based app, it's not an office product.

[Nibble]

Chuck, I forsee an army of EU legislators rubbing their collective hands in glee, at the prospect of another EU-Microsoft court battle within the next 2-3 years.

[MarkRae]

^^ Obviously!

[Buenchico]

'Morning' at 0001, Chuck???
I thought that I was the ultimate pedant but that takes some beating!
;-)

Microsoft seem to be determined to confuse everyone (by renaming a good product, 'Microsoft Security Essentials', as 'Windows Defender' - which, in it's original version, was crap!). Given that they're already facing further European court action for 'accidentally' failing to include Mozilla Firefox in a list of alternative browsers for many months, they certainly seem to be walking along a legal tightrope!

[MarkRae]

True, though I'm absolutely loving Windows 8. It's great having what looks and feels like the same operating system on my mobile, tablet, laptop and desktop.

[Buenchico]

MarK:
Windows 8 seems to be targeted almost exclusively at personal users (who might value having quick access to, for example, social media websites from their desktop). Most business users (and many home users who couldn't care less about 'social media') would probably prefer to retain a 'Start' button!