[kanda]

I am about to make the switch to Apple, but I work exclusively in a Wintel world. I use MS Excel and MS Powerpoint applications on a daily basis.
Will I survive the change? Will I be able to exchange files with my MS Office cohorts? This is a terrible fear hanging over my head, but, I just can't take another minute of this PC world.
I was I loyal MAC guy until the early 90's when I had to comply with my company's PC usage and there just wasn't any hint of decent compatibility at that time.
I realize this question has probably been posed a 1000x, but I need some support before I make the plunge.
(I'm currently writing this on an old Pentium 2 with office 98).
Thanx.

[Puck8503]

First of all congratulations on coming back to us, and second of all... Yes, You'll be fine Mac will take good care of you. Allthough I havn't had that to ever try and switch (Mac user my entire life) Everything I've heard, seen and read as said that the switch should be easy. I will soon be joining a predominantly windows network when I get to college and have been reassured that it will be easy to see other comps, have other comps see me and transfer files... Don't be scared your getting a Mac!!!!!!

[mystery_stain]

There is no Access database. You can't Save As a file with more than 31 characters (though OS X allows longer ones), though it seems to preserve long file names if the file already had them, like if it came from Windows. But that's all I can think of. If you can handle those, you'll be OK, because otherwise, Mac/PC Office file exchange is seamless!
Even Microsoft says so. Have you seen the Microsoft Office ads where the tagline is "Mac and PC have never been more compatible."
Some reviewers, even PC ones, have said that Mac Office is a better product than Windows Office.
And lucky you, Microsoft just lowered the price of Mac office.

[shades]

Depending on how deep you go into Excel, there may be some issues. That is, if you exchange normal worksheets, using functions, formatting, etc. then no problem. However, if you write VBA code, there are differences between the Windows and Mac versions, due to the Object Model differences. That means there may be an occasional macro/VBA code that will work fine on the Windows side, but will produce errors on the Mac side (or the other way too). Thus, you will have to revise that particular code. If you are proficient with the Object Models, then that shouldn't be a major hurdle. If this is all new, then the best you can do is hope that most code that is used will not break when switching the Mac side (or vice versa).

[kanda]

First, let me thank those who have replied to this question.
Second, I am already feeling better about coming home to Apple. I understand that there is the minor potential of "bugs" between the Wintel and MAC, but, it appears to be an acceptable risk when compared to the long term satisfaction.
Lastly, it is quite wonderful to see/read forums like this...I can't wait to comfort others who need a little help in "coming home".
I will be visiting the Apple store this week to "seal the deal"
My regards to all...

[Lebensmude]

Don't forget to consider Keynote as an alternative to PowerPoint, especially since it is fully compatible with the latter. (Heck, I even opened up a Windows PowerPoint file I received with Keynote and it did a better job of displaying it than the PowerPoint app in Office X.)

[kanda]

Can Wintel users with Powerpoint, open and display presentations developed in Keynote?
Maybe it's worth me buying both Office v.X and Keynote...
This topic has been extremely helpful to me.
Regards....