Microsoft Word, Excel software

[Nana2Callie]

What is the best price and version to buy of the software? Thanks

 

[caitlinS9]

See if your work (assuming you work), or your spouses work, or someone close to you's work is affiliated with the Microsoft Home Use Program. We can get full Microsoft Office for $10, normally the most recent version. You are allowed to install it on up to 2 devices & you can purchase each new version that comes out.

 

[TnTWalter]

We have OpenOffice at home. It's free and you can open Word/Excel in it and vice versa.

 

[scrapquitler]

What is the best price and version to buy of the software? Thanks

Download Open Office Suite. It has all the equivalent parts of Office and it is FREE.

 

[Ranger111]

Actually, if you were going the freeware route, I would go LibreOffice, which is very much like OpenOffice, but is updated much more often.....but....

First, if Excel is very important to you, you may have some issues with the freeware versions...Close, but no cigar as they say.

And, despite lots of work and some very, very good effort, there are times that things come out a bit "different" shall we say, if you try to make either OpenOffice and LibreOffice "play nice" with MS programs. For the most part, no real issue, but at times....and it always seems the worst time....

For the most part, not a big deal, except when it becomes a big deal...and as much as I do not like to steer any $$$ toward Microsoft, for "not so tech savvy" people who "just want to get on the computer and do it," MS is the best choice (man it hurts to say that).

But, by all means, you could try LibreOffice or OpenOffice and see how it works for you. You may love it -- but again -- if you are a real Excel monkey, hmmm...

There are several ways to save big $$$ on MS Office, but you sorta need to "know" how and that is something you pretty much have to figure out yourself -- at least I am not going to push you any direction...

However, the suggestion above about a work discount is a good easy way -- also some community colleges and universities have agreements with MS for discount software for students and/or faculty and staff, but not as many as ten years ago -- apparently, at this time, if you qualify, the software is FREE.

So, give the freeware suites a shot. There is a good chance they will work well for you. If not, you can always push some $$$ toward MS>

 

[disneylove69]

Do you have a college ID or know a college student? I got mine for $119 for the student version.

 

[Ranger111]

Actually, you can get MS Home/Student nowadays without being a student (that was not always the case) -- note that it is for HOME and student. And, for around a C-note, not too bad -- EXCEPT -- it does not have all that Office Pro has.... a notable absent player is MS Publisher....So, if you can live without the complete suite, it's an option and no student ID needed.

 

[RmeDad]

What is the best price and version to buy of the software? Thanks

What platform? Windows, Android etc...

 

[Ranger111]

RmeDad makes a valid point. If the OP is still reading this, without knowing how you are using and what you are using it for, no one can really make a recommendation as to what version.

I use MS Office Pro 2010 on my home computer, but that may be more than you need. I am suspecting, from your question, that you are not going to be doing much with it other than a few "letters" and the remote possibility of a household budget spreadsheet.

If that is the case, I would really not put out the $$$ for MS OFFICE -- or if you really want to, get one of the older versions, 2007 or 2010 should meet your needs and they are cheaper.

Here is a link to the official MS comparison site for Office 2013 products. You can get the actual product at a reduced price from what you see on the site below. There is also a link that leads you to see if anyone you know qualifies for the college version, which apparently, now, they are GIVING away (they change that program all the time).

Good luck. If you want more help, add more details about how/where you will use the program. http://products.office.com/en-us/buy/compare-microsoft-office-products

 

[Nana2Callie]

I'm using this on Windows 8 and yes a few letters and spreadsheets for tracking certain budgets and expenses.

 

[cmrdgrs]

I haven't had to purchase a full suite of Office for a while. I have always shied away from using a "student" version of the software, because I am not a student and it just felt wrong to do this, but if they have lifted that restriction - go for it! The last couple of versions of Office I purchased I picked up on eBay. Full, licensed versions, that can be used on up to three devices without violating the agreement. I bought two versions one for myself and DH and we used our versions on our desktops and laptops. No issues.

 

[Ranger111]

I'm using this on Windows 8 and yes a few letters and spreadsheets for tracking certain budgets and expenses.

So, I would recommend, that you go for MS Office 2007 Home and Student -- or above, meaning the fancier versions such as 2007 Ultimate or 2007 Pro.

My office still uses 2007 with no issues.

You'd pay between $70-$80 from rock solid vendors such as individual Web sites or a number of EBay sellers. Even Amazon.

And, no you do not need student id for the HOME and student version.

If you go for 2010 or above, you'd pay over $100.

Of course, the free suites mentioned above would meet your needs (most likely) also

 

[crazelion]

google docs is good too

 

[CyndiLooWho]

I've got two copies of the home and student version of Office 2007, each with licenses for 3 computers (we have 5 working computers at home). This handles absolutely everything my boys need for HS and I use it for scouts and PTA stuff. It works just fine with things the hubby emails me from his office (Office 2010) and with the Office 365 we use at my work. It's harder to find now, but I think I paid $70 for the last copy about 18 months ago.