Microsoft Debuts Microsoft Office 4.2 for Macintosh and Power Macintosh

Best-of-Breed Applications Work Together as One

REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 2, 1994 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT) today introduced Microsoft(R) Office version 4.2 for Macintosh(R) and Power Macintosh(TM), the newest editions of the most popular suite of business productivity applications for users of Apple(R) Macintosh computers. Microsoft Office 4.2 for the Macintosh and Power Macintosh are scheduled to be widely available beginning in September.

Microsoft Office brings together new versions of the most popular business productivity software for the Macintosh -- Microsoft Excel 5.0, the Microsoft PowerPoint(R) presentation graphics program version 4.0, Microsoft Word version 6.0, and a workstation license for Microsoft Mail version 3.2. Microsoft Office offers unprecedented enhancements in ease of use, application integration and custom application development.

"Office 4.2 represents a major shift in the way that Macintosh users experience what used to be standalone business productivity applications," said Pete Higgins, senior vice president of the desktop applications division at Microsoft. "By building an entirely new suite of easy-to-use, full-featured applications that work together as one, we are bringing a new level of productivity to our Macintosh and cross-platform customers. Office 4.2 offers the next generation in best- of-breed applications for Macintosh owners."

"For 10 years, Microsoft has been committed to the Macintosh, growing to become our largest software developer," said Ian Diery, executive vice president and general manager of the personal computer division at Apple Computer, Inc. "Office 4.2 continues that commitment and tradition and extends it to embrace the new Power Macintosh. Millions of our mutual Macintosh users worldwide -- particularly those in corporate, government and education environments -- will benefit from these truly state-of-the-art solutions."

Microsoft's four major design goals for Office 4.2 move the products beyond previous standards for ease of use, application integration and customization, and cross-platform compatibility:

-- New IntelliSense(TM) technology makes the individual applications included in Office dramatically easier to use.
-- New OfficeLinks and related consistency features make it easier to use the applications together, allowing users to focus on their work rather than on the programs.
-- Office 4.2 gives users a choice of two solution-development environments -- greatly expanded support for AppleScript(TM) and the Microsoft Visual Basic(R) programming system, Applications Edition, the cross-platform development solution for Office.
-- The core code technology in the dual versions of Microsoft Office for Macintosh and Microsoft Office for the Windows(TM) operating system make Office the only cross-platform office suite solution for users of Macintosh and Windows.

All the applications included in Office 4.2 are the best-selling Macintosh-based applications in their categories. Microsoft first introduced Office for the Macintosh in 1988, providing Macintosh business customers an easy way to buy Microsoft productivity applications. Microsoft expects more than 50 percent of Microsoft Excel 5.0 and Word 6.0 sales to be attributed to sales of Microsoft Office over the next year.

IntelliSense Technology Promotes Ease of Use

Microsoft Office 4.2 for Macintosh raises the bar in measuring ease- of-use by incorporating new Microsoft IntelliSense technology that makes everyday tasks automatic and complex tasks easier. IntelliSense technology senses what users want to do and intelligently produces the desired result. The 100 most common tasks users perform with Microsoft Office can now be accomplished in one step. Examples of IntelliSense technology in the new Word 6.0 include AutoCorrect, which automatically corrects common user-specific typing and spelling errors, and AutoFormat, an innovative feature that automatically formats an entire Word document in one step.

Other examples include the Microsoft Excel 5.0 TipWizard(TM) assistant, designed to observe a user's actions and offer hints about how to complete work more quickly, as well as the AutoContent Wizard in PowerPoint 4.0, which helps users develop appropriate content making them more effective presenters.

Attention to Consistency Leverages Learning

A common user interface design has been developed to make it easy for people to use Microsoft Office 4.2 applications together. The many areas of consistency in Office 4.2 include the following:

-- Menu bars. Eight out of nine menu titles are identical.
-- Pull-down menus. Pull-down menus provide consistent grouping of commands where appropriate.
-- Toolbars and toolbar buttons. Two-thirds of the toolbar icons are the same and are located in the same position across Office applications.
-- Dialog boxes. Dialogs for common operations (e.g., Find File) share the same layout and similar capabilities, controls and command buttons.
-- Shortcut menus. Menus are identical where appropriate and all are context-sensitive, appearing with the click of the mouse button.
-- Microsoft Office Manager (MOM). MOM is a set of tools that makes it easy to use Office products together. MOM comes with a customizable toolbar for easy application launching and switching among Office applications.

Microsoft Office 4.2 applications also share many components, including Find File, the spelling checker, custom user dictionary, Microsoft Graph, equation editor, ClipArt Gallery, font effects, graphics filters, setup and text conversion filters. These shared components save disk space and leverage user learning.

Seamless Information Sharing With OfficeLinks and Rich OLE Support

Microsoft OfficeLinks offers a new level of integration that makes it easier for users to share information among applications and to accomplish common cross-application tasks. With OfficeLinks, users can focus on their work rather than on the tools they're using. The foundation for many OfficeLinks tools is rich support for OLE component software technology.

OLE component software technology, developed by Microsoft with the input of hundreds of cross-platform software developers, enables users to edit a spreadsheet chart (e.g., a component) within a word processing document without leaving the document, and then to drag-and-drop components from one application to another. Microsoft has built on OLE technology to address additional, specific, cross-application needs. For example, to insert a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet directly into a Word document or a PowerPoint presentation, a user simply clicks a Microsoft Excel worksheet button on the Word or PowerPoint toolbars.

Widespread industry support for OLE means users will reap the benefits of customized desktop solutions designed to meet their specific needs. Independent software vendors will offer specialized OLE-compatible applications that work seamlessly with Microsoft Office 4.2 for Macintosh.

Office Includes Support for Solutions Building

With Office 4.2 for Macintosh, Microsoft introduces Visual Basic, Applications Edition. Visual Basic for Applications provides full cross- platform application programmability -- the ability to create custom solutions with Microsoft Office and other applications that support OLE technology. Microsoft Office 4.2 for the Macintosh greatly expands on previous support for AppleScript, further enabling its use in Macintosh- based multiapplication custom solutions.

A Great Cross-Platform Solution for Users of Macintosh and Windows

Microsoft Office 4.2 is the only office suite solution to offer cross-platform compatibility, allowing users to easily share files, macros, graphics and other information between the Macintosh and Windows operating systems. The cross-platform compatibility of Office is based on core code consistency among the versions of Office for Macintosh, Power Macintosh, Microsoft Windows and the upcoming version for the Microsoft Windows NT(TM) operating system. Since these versions work alike, organizational training, transition and support costs are minimized.

"Today, cross-platform consistency is essential," said Russell Ito, independent consultant to the Macintosh industry. "Microsoft Office 4.2 gives Macintosh users a no-compromise solution: They can enjoy all the benefits of the Macintosh while still sharing their graphically rich documents with their colleagues who use Windows, without sacrificing anything."

Optimized for Macintosh and Power Macintosh

Microsoft Office 4.2 supports several technologies being introduced in System 7.5 including QuickDraw(TM) GX printing, which provides users with better printer controls; Apple PowerTalk(TM) technology for collaborative information sharing and AppleScript. Power Macintosh versions of the Office applications have been developed to take full advantage of the inherent speed of this new platform. Other core code optimizations include adaptations for the Macintosh user interface and a new QuickTime server component accessible by all Macintosh Office applications.

Microsoft FoxPro 2.6 for Macintosh and Power Macintosh

Microsoft FoxPro version 2.6 for Macintosh and Power Macintosh, the newest version of Microsoft's cross-platform, relational database management system (RDBMS) and Power Macintosh, was also announced today. FoxPro 2.6 for Macintosh, which is the first database to support the Power Macintosh natively, also includes wizard technology, making it familiar and accessible to Office users. Now the best-selling RDBMS for the Macintosh, FoxPro 2.6 is scheduled to be available separately in September at version upgrade prices to Office 4.2 customers. For details on FoxPro 2.6 for Macintosh and Power Macintosh, please refer to the separate press release.

Product Support Services

All users of Microsoft desktop applications have access to unlimited, no-charge support by a toll line, available Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time. Customers can also choose additional, fee-based support options, including Priority Support, which provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week support.

Pricing and Availability

Microsoft Office 4.2 for Macintosh is expected to be available for the U.S. estimated retail price of $499. Current users of Microsoft Office, Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint or Microsoft Works for the Macintosh can upgrade for $259 after using a $40 rebate coupon included in the package and valid until Dec. 31, 1994. (Prices may vary from store to store.) Microsoft Office 4.2 for the Macintosh is expected to be widely available to customers in the United States and Canada by early September and will ship with coupons qualifying all users for a free upgrade to Power Macintosh versions of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. The Power Macintosh versions are expected to ship with the 68K Macintosh disks in the same box in October, 1994. A CD-ROM edition is also expected to be available at that time.

Microsoft Office 4.2 for Macintosh is scheduled to be available in 13 languages.

System Requirements

Microsoft Office 4.2 for Macintosh requires System 7 and a Macintosh computer with a 68020 or higher processor or a Power Macintosh computer. Office 4.2 requires 8 MB of RAM. To ensure flexibility and to accommodate various hard disk space needs, users can choose from several installation options, including compact (minimum), typical, complete, custom or scripted. Sizes when installed range from 18 to 35 MB.

For a limited time, Microsoft will include at no charge a copy of Connectix Corporation's best-selling RAM Doubler(TM) memory enhancement product with Office 4.2 for Macintosh. This product is particularly effective in handling multiple applications in limited memory environments.

Microsoft is the largest manufacturer of software for the Macintosh platform.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

NOTE: Microsoft, PowerPoint, Visual Basic and FoxPro are registered trademarks and Windows, IntelliSense, TipWizard and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Macintosh and Apple are registered trademarks and Power Macintosh, AppleScript, QuickDraw and PowerTalk are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

RAM Doubler is a trademark of Connectix Corporation.

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/NOTE TO EDITORS: Windows NT is trademarked product name. Please do not abbreviate in any way. Support Services vary outside the United States and Canada. For more information on support in other locations, contact your local Microsoft subsidiary. Microsoft's support services are subject to Microsoft's then current prices, terms and conditions, which are subject to change./
/CONTACT: Press Only: Laura Peterson or Martha Isham of Waggener Edstrom, 206-637-9097/
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