Why should I upgrade Microsoft Office 97?

Question

I have Microsoft Office 97, is there any reason why I should upgrade to a newer version. Or is it still okay and practical to still be using Office 97.

I use Windows XP.

Answer 1

lol because its very old old old version and all new version of m Microsoft office has different types and may not work with Ur office

Answer 2

Like the first post says, it definitely matters when it comes to sharing and reading other people's documents. Most out there have Office XP or Office 2003, both of which can't be read by your version.

In addition to sharing and reading, there's the features. There's so much more in the newer versions of Office such as Grammar check, HTML (web site) recognition, better help, etc. Also like the other guy told you, the support from Microsoft is long expired on Office 97. Office, Windows, and other Microsoft products have a "product lifecycle" that is usually 5-7 years, though it is sometimes extended.

Answer 3

Unless someone is sending you files you cannot open, or you wish you had some features available in newer versions that you do not have, then there's no good reason to upgrade unless you get it for free somehow (like included with a new system).
I still use Office 2000 on my home PC and it works fine. One thing you should look out for is using the old version of Outlook for Internet email. It's probably very vulnerable to all kinds of exploits. If you just use Yahoo email, GMail, Thunderbird, or even a new version of Outlook Express and a good spam filter (like SpamPal) instead you should be OK.
One more thing to consider is OpenOffice. It's open source, free, and compatible with all the latest Office file formats. If you want to upgrade but don't want to spend the money give OpenOffice a try (www.openoffice.org).

Answer 4

The current versions of Office are backwards compatable, the main problem is that support and updates for your version will be phased out as the newer versions keep rolling out. There are a few new bells and whistles on Office XP and above that are not found on yours. Barring any security flaws, you should be able to run Office 97 for a while yet, but eventually you'll have to upgrade. Thats how Microsft keeps their customer base.

Answer 5

With the other versions of Office available you may not be able to read documents created in newer versions of the software. I am not sure of the support life cycle for Office 97 so that could be another factor. If you have issues with it Microsoft may no longer support it if problems do arise.

Answer 6

Office 97 is pretty much ancient now. The latest version to be released is Office 2007. But I think the basics are still all the same, so if you are satisfied, then stay with it.

Answer 7

it is okay to stick with the older version. but you may have trouble opening the file from your older version in someone else's computer who is using newer version.furthermore, it is too old. at least get a newer version, say, the one after 97.

Answer 8

I agree with the other poster about compatibility, but a very cost effective upgrade (free) would be to OpenOffice (that is not a typo). It will allow you to create files that MS Office can open, and you will be able to open files created by MS Office.

You can get it here: http://www.openoffice.org/

Good Luck,

pakratts

Answer 9

You could use open office instead, it is free and compatible to all microsoft office products as far as I know.

Answer 10

man if you are going to up grade Microsoft office 97 go to openoffice.org download. you can save your notes ,sheet and slide shows to micro ,corel and other platforms far as op sys it is for micro, mac and Linux check it out ho its free