Word or Pages, Excel or Numbers?

[ChristopherCoy]

Which do you prefer?

I think I'm starting to regret installing MS Office for Mac, but I haven't a clue how to use Pages or Numbers.

[Flea77]

I prefer the one that will do the job and exchange files effortlessly (that means it saves NATIVELY in the correct format, no remembering to save as) with the other people who need access to those files.

Allan

[srwatters]

I'm still using MS Office 2008 on my systems. I have to get to the Apple store to check out Office 2010.

But then again at work I'm stuck with Office 2003 so it doesn't really matter.

[texkam]

www.neooffice.org

[KenJulio]

If you're not sharing macros or using vba, why not openoffice? OpenOffice.org - The Free and Open Productivity Suite

It's free

[Some Idiot]

open office works pretty good, you can also use word and excel online now I think..... I like google docs myself

[KenJulio]

That's correct, I have full access to Word, Excel under my hotmail account.

[ChristopherCoy]

I bought MS Office for Mac when I bought my iMac, only because its what I was most familiar with as far as database and document creation goes. But every time I turn around MS has a new 500mb update for something or another that is always considered 'critical'.

[LanceHaynie]

I use both actually, each has it's pro's and con's. I use Numbers/iWork for anything that is personal, or that when I send to someone a PDF is acceptable. If I need to send the original I go with MS Office 2008 (unless I know they are a Mac user with iWork).

I personaly love the iWork suite! Numbers, Pages, & Keynote are simply amazing. When I do presentations @ work everyone is always really interested in how I did it. Everyone is so used to seeing MS PowerPoint and it's dull templates.

[thaddeussmith]

office 2010 in vmware here ...

[utdbear]

You want to ditch Office because they're sending you updates?

[ggeen]

I use both Office/Excel and iWork/Numbers. I found that at home I do not need 15,000 formulas and that the couple of hundred that Numbers has is satisfactory. Additionally, Numbers has some nice built in templates for printing invoices.

I also use numbers for keeping a ledger. Just simple and quick. Makes reconciling a breeze, too.

As for as compatibility, Numbers will take in Excel spreadsheets just fine. I know that it will spit out '97 formatted Excel spreadsheets too. I at time will trade files between my Mac, SunBlade, and my Dell laptop. As long as I am not using some advanced formula from Excel or StarOffice all is well.

[JohnT]

OpenOffice. I run it on my MBPro without issue. Easy to use.