Word 12 (beta 1)

Word 12 documents rely on a thick ribbon of functions clustered at the top of each window, placing the major features within reach without demanding so many mouse clicks. The ribbon's main tabs include File, Write, Insert, Page Layout, References, Mailings, Review, Developer and Picture Tools. The new Write tab includes edit, font choice, paragraph alignment, proofing tools and so on. We applaud the live previews of fonts and other formatting changes, as well as the business-friendly ability to convert text bullet points and numbered lists into flowcharts and other diagrams. You can save info-graphics to the galleries for later use and apply multiple changes across the Office 12 suite -- handy, say, if your company just updated its logo. Word also gets the skills to crop graphics, alter brightness and even convert pictures into sepia tones -- sparing you from opening another program for quick picture edits. And we like Microsoft's Document Inspector, which helps manage the hidden metadata within Word files; hopefully, this will spare users the embarrassment of sending unwanted details to outside parties. Work produced within Word 12 will be backwards compatible with version 2000 and can easily be converted to PDF and CPS formats.

There will be a significant learning curve involved, and experienced Word users will have to adjust to the new interface. Unlike the out-of-view function menus of the past, Word 12's ribbon of features hogs screen space and RAM. You can't hide from this thick banner; instead, its constant shifting of available tools automatically responds to your work and creates a potential visual distraction. And while the ribbon places familiar functions within easy reach, we found the adjustment initially disconcerting. For example, to add a text box, we wondered whether to click the Insert tab, Page Layout or Picture Tools. Click an embedded image within a document, and Word 12 displays the Picture Tools options and greys out unrelated functions. Such attempts at anticipating your needs could frustrate newcomers fast -- especially for those who mostly want to type text and ignore the omnipresent tool galleries. And while the Document Inspector is a step in the right direction, it remains to be seen whether the metadata defaults protect the privacy of less knowledgeable users.

Now that the curtain is up on the surface changes to Word 12, we're curious to see how beta testers respond. Will the program make word processing more efficient, or will the learning curve frustrate users during the first few weeks of adjustment? Microsoft's second beta release of Office 12 (expected next spring) will concentrate on Word's plans to better serve enterprises and streamline workgroup workflow. Check out our Word 12 (beta 1) image gallery for a host of pictures.