How do I get rid of ribbons and go back to old office menus?

Anonymous
2011-06-02T20:48:28+00:00

I have just purchased Office 2010. Sorry Microsoft but I hate it. Worst update of a familiar software product I have seen for a long time (and have worked in IT industry for 25 years) Why? Its the changes that have been made to the menus and the introduction of those dreadful ribbons. I can't find anything and waste ages looking for what should be the most obvious functions. Am seriously considering un-installing 2010 and going back to use older version.

Before I do that thought might ask if there was way of making 2010 suite look and feel like older versions without just binning it and starting again.

Many thanks

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2011-06-04T08:36:45+00:00

The contributors to this forum are not Microsoft employees, do not speak for Microsoft and have little to no influence over Microsoft's design process. The reasons for the change to the ribbon have been well documented since its introduction, with the pre-release versions of Word 2007, at least 5 years ago and the arguments for and against have been waged ad nauseam in this and other forums and are resurrected time and again by late adopters - which is why, reasonable or not, Hans can say for certain that there will be no return to the menu driven structure of earlier versions. First and foremost this was a business decision to stimulate sales.

Microsoft's response to the demand for more hands-on user configuration has been to add a ribbon editor to Office 2010. There will be no patch to make Word 2010 use the interface of Word 2003.

The idea of a third party add-in, which attempts, but ultimately fails, to recreate the menu structure of Word 2003 is a cul-de-sac that ultimately will inhibit your ability to adapt to the new menu ribbon driven system. Better to fine tune the ribbon to your own requirements.

When I was first exposed to the ribbon - in Word 2007 - I can confirm that I too was annoyed at the change, and I did not like the change from 2007 to 2010 either, but now I use the latter all the time and only ever refer to the others for reference in connection with user support.

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HansV 462.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2011-06-02T21:20:14+00:00

It is possible to return to the old interface, but I seriously recommend taking a bit of time to get used to the ribbon, for the following reasons:

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-10-01T21:00:22+00:00

    I hate the fact that we cannot customize the ribbon or make new ribbons. There needs to be more customization. Our organization spends millions on the software and I have tried my best to hold off on a purchase of newer versions until they make some changes to the ribbons or allow an option for the old interface. I was able to get them to hold off on the 2010 upgrades so far. I hope to hear better things from office coming soon. I find the lack of customization wastes work time which wastes money. We have specific tasks performed on the software that the ribbons interfere with. I hope it hits Microsoft in the pocketbooks and encourages them to change to please their customers.

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-06-04T07:34:52+00:00

    Many thanks for your replies. I have downloaded a little tag as suggested and can now see something that looks a little like previous menus which is a big help.

    I am interested in reply which tells me the following:-

    "The ribbon is not going away - on the contrary, other software producers are adopting it "too.

    "As will all new things, it seems confusing and intimidating at first, but if you try it, you'll find that it quickly becomes familiar."

    As I have said, I work in IT and am very used to dealing with new products and with learning to exploit new functionality. There is however another side to the idea of "new". Think for a second on respecting previous customers, backwards functionality and here is a novel idea, giving customers what they actually want and not what is dreamed up by software developers, salesmen and senior managers who "think" they know what customers want. It is also interesting to note what big blue chip companies might make of a product which isn't immediately intuitive and would require tools and courses to help maintain staff productivity. Be aware that out there in the real world you will find many examples of companies using old software they are comfortable with, many IT companies still have NT boxes on the floor, we have just been given Office 2003 at work and are pleased to have that update and the company standard browser is IE version 6.

    Although I have downloaded a little patch to let me see a menu which helps me do my work, I would actually much prefer if Microsoft would just simply offer customers a choice. Here are ribbons but customers are able to customise product and if they prefer menus then what is wrong with that? Aren't they still loyal customers who deserve respect?  Doesn't this sound more reasonable rather than "The ribbon is not going away - on the contrary, other software producers are adopting it too.".

    Again thanks for advice and the interesting points you raise.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-06-02T22:03:38+00:00

    You can create a tab on the ribbon that contains most of the familiar controls found on the previous menus:

    http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/Ribbon_Menu_Controls.htm

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