[AnnaC]

In hopes of landing a computer job in the near future that requires Excel knowledge I signed up for basic, intermediate and advanced Excel classes at a local community college. Unfortunately when I attended my first class I realized the software (Office 2008) was for PC. Going back home to try to implement what I had just learned on my Mac (office 2004) was so frustrating.
I thought by upgrading to the new office 2008 suite for Mac it would solve my problems and perhaps the interface was just as easy as the PC version. Well... it wasn't.

I do have a PC along with a Mac so the classes weren't totally wasted but when I get this job I need to thoroughly know how to use Excel on a Mac so now I need to find Mac classes on Office 2008 so I can master the applications.

My only alternative right now is to take some one on one classes at the Apple store but if anyone has any other suggestions please advise.

Thank you in advance,
Anna

[albloom]

Anna, 2007 is the latest version of Office for the PC.

I suspect what you were seeing was more the differences between
operating systems than differences between Office apps.

You should have stuck it out past the first class in Beginning Office.
You'd have got past the OS-intensive stuff and found that, yes, MS
Office is pretty much MS Office.

Besides, if the job of your dreams requires Excel, it'd probably be
on a Windows machine.

[AnnaC]

Thanks for your reply. I did stick it out in basic excel and plan to finish taking the intermediate & advanced classes even though they're for PC (office 2007). I was a PC user for many years and switched to a Mac only 2 years ago (which I love).
I have an understanding of the differences between the operating systems but I want to be proficient using a Mac. The interfaces of both Office applications are completely different but I'm sure I'll be able to customize the Mac version to my liking. That's why my original post asks for suggestions regarding classes specifically for Mac.

The job I am applying for requires use of a Mac.

[albloom]

Thanks for the clarification, Anna.

I've taken several Office classes via the local CC, of varying levels of difficulty,
and I've had no problem transferring new knowledge from classroom PCs to my
home and office Macs. But then I was well familiar with Mac OS's.

To get up on the Mac, I suspect you need to look at some nearby college web
sites and see how Mac-friendly each is. There will probably be a section on
freshman computer requirements. If it says "Mac," that'd be a good place to
look for classes. College tuition is likely pricier than CC tuition, but that's
the way of it.

[dougster]

-Hi,

You might check for a MUG (Mac User Group) in your area. http://www.apple.com/usergroups/

Our's is at the local JC due to the demand, but others can be at somebody's house. I've meant folks that have helped each other one-on-one for the fun of it. Its worth a try...