Microsoft Corp. next week will release an update of Office 2007 beta 1, including a more built-out version of Office's new
user interface as well as several fixes for bugs reported by beta testers.
In the new user interface, seen at http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/uioverview.mspx, Microsoft swaps its old menu and toolbar for a set of Command Tabs that display different tools as users perform different
tasks. Microsoft said Thursday the change will make it easier for users to access more of the software's advanced features.
Meanwhile, the software maker is gearing up to launch Office 2007 beta 2 by mid-year.
Office 2007, formerly code-named "Office 12," is set to launch by the end of the year, along with the Windows Vista operating
system.