Sorry I bought Office 2013

They didn't take ALL of the functionality out, but the did do a bunch of messing around with the UI.

The stupid blue and white thingie is called the Backstage Pane (or "Pain", grin). This link tells how to make it "go away" so you can use the <CTL><O> shortcut to see the old open dialog

5 Tips to Customize “File Save” / “File Open” Page in Microsoft Office 2013 Applications

http://www.askvg.com/5-tips-to-customize-file-save-page-in-microsoft-office-applications/

If you are just seeing the Ribbon for the first time, you obviously just downgraded from 2003 (or earlier).  The functionality is still there, it's just been seriously moved around.

Yes, you can setup something roughly equivalent to a tool bar. It is called the "Quick Access Toolbar", or QAT for short. By default there should be a few buttons displayed in the upper left corner of the application window, just above the File tab.

One key point to remember is that although the 2013 ribbon has a very different color scheme, most, say 90%, of the layout is the same as 2007 and 2010 ribbons. So any tips you see for 2007 or 2010 will usually apply to 2013 also.

Here is a tip on customizing the QAT:

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/12337/create-a-customized-tab-on-the-office-2010-ribbon/

One of the customizations I do to the QAT is to add the "Open Recent File" command to it.

Here are a whole bunch of links that will help you get up to speed on the ribbon.

Learning the Ribbon Links

A key point to keep in mind is that from the point of view of the "Average User", Office 2007 and 2010 and 2013 are 99% identical. Tips specific to 2007 almost always are still valid in 2010 and 2013 apps so don't automatically ignore things that were created for 2007 or 2010.

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This next link is one of the best resources I’ve looked at for getting you into the right frame of mind.

Stop Clicking and Exploring Excel 2007 like a Newbie - http://www.scribd.com/doc/29093109/Stop-Clicking-Exploring-Excel-Ribbon-Like-Newbie

• applies to any Ribbonized app. This is an excellent booklet to get people into the right frame of mind to learn and use ANYribbonized app.

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2010 / 2007 Search Command Addon www.officelabs.com/projects/searchcommands/Pages/default.aspx

(http://www.markshuttleworth.com/archives/939/ - The Linux answer to the ribbon, supplement menus with it’s version of the “Search Command” addon everywhere)

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Office Watch Word/Excel Command Finder -

The Office watch command finders are really good tools, they actually provide a more focused result, but the path it describes is sometimes wrong. (They got all of the info from MS ...). They have also added some commands that are not on the “official” MS command list.

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http://office-watch.com/commandlist/Word_2010.aspx  Word 2010 Command Finder

http://office-watch.com/t/n.aspx?a=1558 - Word 2010 Command Finder Description

http://office-watch.com/t/n.aspx?a=1569&z=0 - 2010 Command Finder improvements

http://office-watch.com/commandlist/Word_2007.aspx  Word 2007 Command Finder

http://office-watch.com/commandlist/Excel_2007.aspx - Excel 2007 Command Finder

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You can add the link to OWW Command Finder tool to the Word QAT using this macro:

Public Sub command_finder()

' Ed Weber

' Call the Office Watch Command List applet

' Equivalent to the Search Tab addon

'

    ActiveDocument.FollowHyperlink _

    Address:=" ***http://office-watch.com/commandlist/Word\_2010.aspx***", _

    NewWindow:=True, AddHistory:=False

End Sub

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This is the macro you need for Excel

Private Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "ShellExecuteA" _

    (ByVal hwnd As Long, ByVal lpOperation As String, ByVal lpFile As String, ByVal _

    lpParameters As String, ByVal lpDirectory As String, ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long

Sub command_finder_2007()

' Launches a webpage.

'

    Dim strURL As String

    strURL = "http://office-watch.com/commandlist/Excel_2007.aspx"

     'Navigate to the address...

    On Error Resume Next

    ShellExecute 0&, vbNullString, strURL, vbNullString, vbNullString, 3 'SW_SHOWNORMAL

End Sub

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Map 2003 menu to 2010 Ribbon Silverlight applets and spreadsheets- https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/learn-where-menu-and-toolbar-commands-are-in-office-2010-and-related-products-HA101794130.aspx?CTT=3 – Another way of finding “lost” commands

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I just watched the video on this page:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jensenh/archive/2008/03/12/the-story-of-the-ribbon.aspx

It's just under 1.5 hours. I found it quite informative. It explains a lot of the (ir)rational behind the Ribbon design, including the name by the Manager in charge of it's development (not that I agree with it all...).  The slides download just don't tell the story.

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12 Steps to become awesome in Excel (and your work) in 2012 - http://chandoo.org/wp/2012/01/06/12-ways-to-learn-excel/ - although this tip is identified as being specific to Excel, it applies to any software (ruined by ribbonization or not), and life in general.

http://www.askvg.com/download-free-microsoft-office-2010-getting-started-screensaver-for-windows-7/

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Download a free screensaver from MS that presents short video tips. New tips constantly downloaded from a MS RSS feed.

Good site, lots of good tips. Their newsletter is worth signing up for.

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**Jensen Harris: An Office User Interface Blog** –

This one can be used to find answers to the inevitable question: "why did stupid MS do this, that or the other stupid thing in the stupid ribbon':

Original source:  http://pschmid.net/blog/2006/10/09/58 

alternate source http://blogs.msdn.com/b/jensenh/archive/2008/03/12/table-of-contents.aspx 

     This is an organized Table Of Contents to a large collection of links to MS Dev Team Blogs about the design and building of the 2007 ribbon. A LOT of reading, but interesting to understand the underlying (il)logic of the Ribbon

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Map 2003 menu to 2007 Ribbon Flash Applets, spreadsheets- https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/guides-to-the-ribbon-use-office-2003-menus-to-learn-the-office-2007-user-interface-HA010229584.aspx

http://www.worldstart.com/ms-office-2010-still-having-trouble-locating-things-on-the-ribbon/comment-page-1/#comment-26505

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2007/2010 Getting Started Tab addin Download

The optional “Get Started” addin also has a button to the “Interactive Word 2003 to Word 2007 Command Reference Guide”, but this button activates an internet link to the MS website.  Personally, I prefer using the downloaded flash applet.  Note: I have had problems trying to run the online version on FireFox, it worked fine in IE.

https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/download-help-to-get-started-with-office-2007-HA010214685.aspx?pid=CL100788241033

This download adds a Get Started tab to the end of the Word 2007 Ribbon. Commands on this tab give you easy access to free content on Office Online, such as training courses, video demos, and other Office Online content designed to help you learn Word 2007 quickly. An Office Online interactive command mapping tool, also available on the Get Started tab, shows you where to find Word 2003 buttons and commands are in Word 2007. Office Online Community discussions are also available directly from Word with this add-in.

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Ribbon Hero  - **http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/be-ribbon-hero-and-have-fun-doing-it-HA010390372.aspx****** A learning game that guides you through various Office features.

Ribbon Hero 2: Clippy’s Second Chance -**http://www.ribbonhero.com/news.html****** New version of the learning game.

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Office 2010 Getting Started resources downloadspage- Articles, interactive guides and guidance to help you be more productive with Office 2010 more quickly. - http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=17339

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2010 Migration Guides - https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/office-2010-migration-guides-HA101982272.aspx

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*3 ways to learn the Office 2010 ribbon* http://blogs.office.com/b/office-education/archive/2011/01/10/3-ways-to-learn-the-Office-2010-ribbon.aspx

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**10+ ways to help your users transition to Word 2007** http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=407

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1**0+ ways to train your users on Office 2007 for free** http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/msoffice/?p=144

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Word 2010 / 2007 Free Tutorial - http://www.wordtutorial.net/****

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Mini-glossary: Office 2007 terms you should know- http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6180692.html

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**10 new Office 2007 interface elements (and what most of them are really called)******http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/msoffice/?p=139

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Dictionary of Windows UI terms - http://www.askvg.com/complete-guide-for-windows-customization-terms-and-resources/****

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Word 2007 Cheat Sheet - Intro to Ribbon UI http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9010482/Word_2007_Cheat_Sheet   

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Excel 2010 cheat sheet – What’s New- http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9220441/Excel_2010_cheat_sheet?source=ctwirhr_excelcs_reg

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Explore what is new and different in Microsoft Word 2007 http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6153797.html?tag=content;leftCol

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A few things you'll miss when you upgrade to Office 2007 http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6161683.html?tag=content%3bleftCol 

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Changes in Office Word 2007 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc179199%28office.12%29.aspx  -This article lists the changes in Microsoft Office Word 2007 from Microsoft Office 2003.

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Word 2010 Beginners Guidebook - Good intro to Ribbon based Word $20, 236 pghttp://store.tips.net/T010905_Microsoft\_Word\_2010\_Beginners\_Guidebook_Table_of_Contents.html

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10 cool add-ins for Office 2007 and 2010: http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-cool-add-ins-for-office-2007-and-2010/2455   Everything, E-mail Follow-up, More Add-in, FreeFile Viewer, ASAP Util (excel), Proposal Pack Wizard, Visual Bee (PowerPoint), iSpring Pro (PowerPoint), Pop-Up Excel Calendar,  Excel Fuzzy Dup Finder.

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10 Quick Tips to Get the Most from Microsoft Office - http://www.howtogeek.com/98499/10-quick-tips-to-get-the-most-from-microsoft-office/

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Reveal Codes in Word - Is there life after “Reveal Codes”? - http://sbarnhill.mvps.org/WordFAQs/RevealCodes.htm .  This is an excellent article describing all of the native Word tools for discovering formatting.

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Formatting Problems? Install CrossEyes - http://www.levitjames.com/Products/CrossEyes.aspx****

This tool adds a pane that converts Word formatting into HTML/WordPefect like “codes”, displaying a WordPerfect like “Reveal Codes” pane. It is a great complement to MS’s inadequate attempt in the <SHF><F1> “Reveal Formatting” pane.

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Backup and Restore Your Office 2010 Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar Customizations - http://www.howtogeek.com/72670/how-to-backup-and-restore-your-office-2010-ribbon-and-quick-access-toolbar-customizations/

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Outlook http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook-help/make-the-switch-to-outlook-2010-RZ101809884.aspx

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Word http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/make-the-switch-to-word-2010-RZ101816356.aspx

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http://www.baycongroup.com/wlesson0.htm Free Tutorials to other apps too

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Excel http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/make-the-switch-to-excel-2010-RZ101809963.aspx

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PowerPoint http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint-help/make-the-switch-to-powerpoint-2010-RZ101791923.aspx

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http://www.editorium.com/editkit/TH_18.htm - Word Functions for Editors. A good list of Word features to learn as a starting point for new users.

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Blake Handler’s Ultimate lists - https://blakehandler.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/ultimate-lists-of-microsofts-free-office-windows-software-for-download/

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Free MS Customized ribbon with “Favorites” tab - https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/download-free-customized-ribbons-HA101885823.aspx

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Office Sounds addin - http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/confirmation.aspx?id=7015****

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Ribbon Creator 2007/2010/2013 - http://www.ribboncreator2010.de/en/?RibbonCreator_2010

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Menu Tab addins

http://www.addintools.com/english/menuword/default.htm - menu addin 2007 only, free trial

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http://toolbartoggle.com/ - I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks good. It allows drag and drop customization of the menu and toolbars.

http://www.ubit.ch/software/ubitmenu-languages/    (free fro private use or 0.65 Eur per user & per language!!!)

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http://news.office-watch.com/t/n.aspx?articleid=799&zoneid=12 – a review of UBitMenu

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http://software.techrepublic.com.com/abstract.aspx?docid=862867&promo=100511 – Classic Menu for Office 2007 ($30)

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http://www.addictivetips.com/microsoft-office/add-classic-menu-in-office-2010/

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http://pschmid.net/office2007/customize/

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http://download.cnet.com/Classic-Menu-for-Office-2007/3000-18483_4-10637184.html

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http://www.obutilities.com/classicmenu/ - a COM add-in that displays the classic menus and toolbars in Microsoft® Excel® ,Microsoft® Word and Microsoft® PowerPoint® (Office 2007 and 2010).

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http://www.indelibleink.com/WordMenu.html - Indelible Ink Word Menu addin

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http://software.techrepublic.com.com/abstract.aspx?docid=847883&promo=100511 – Ribbon Customizer for Office 2007 ($40)

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http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/CustomizeRibbon.htm Customizing the Office 2007 user interface. Info about 2 purchased addins, Ribbon Customizer™ and ToolbarToggle™ add-ins for Office 2007.  They also have limited functionality trial versions

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http://accmsoft.com/office-2007/classic-style-menus-toolbars/ - A powerful and easy-to-use add-in for showing the classic menus and toolbars of Microsoft Office 2003 on Ribbon of Microsoft Office 2007 and 2010.

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http://www.indelibleink.com/WordMenu.html - Free version of 2003 menu addin.  There are several different install options, quite cool.  Installed cleanly on my admin ID, but not in my user ID.  Installs a template in the C:\users\USERID\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Word\STARTUP folder.  WordMenus.dot is the 2003 menu alone.  WordMenu.dot is the 2003 menu with the standard toolbar.  WordMenusTB is the vertical orientated 2003 menu.  It looks like this

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http://software.techrepublic.com.com/abstract.aspx?docid=927295 - Saavvii for Microsoft Word 2000, free to try

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http://www.toolbartoggle.com/Contact.aspx - ToolbarToggle ($20) - 2 modes, full toggle replacement for Ribbon or Adds new tab to ribbon.  Allows customization of menu portion, adding macros using right click “customize togglebar” feature, not Word customize.  I haven’t tried it, but if it lives up to propaganda it looks best yet**. 5 day free trial.**

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Thank you for taking the time to respond. I am an experienced computer user, and I am willing and able to hunt around to learn how to use software. I spent 20 minutes trying to find the Find Replace command in Word, since it is not where I would have put it. I spent another 20 minutes trying to find the Options, since it is also not where I would have put it. I find Word to NOT be a friendly program any longer. This used to be an intuitive program, but now it is for computer programmers, not users. The Ribbon thingy is retarded, and it is cumbersome, and clutters up the desktop. The toolbar with dropdown menus was much more intelligent, and easier to navigate. If someone would create a program to install on top of Word 2013 to make it look like it did in 2003, it would be really helpful and intelligent!! The look of Word 2013 is horrid, and it looks much less professional than it did.

Yes, I made the mistake of upgrading from Office 2003 to Office 2013, and I am very sorry that I did. I am really sorry that Microsoft is as retarded as it is and thinks that they can foist **** on their customers and force them to like it. I am very unhappy, and will continue to be unhappy. I really should get my money back, because this is a huge step backward. Word now looks like the free software out there, and that is insulting all the free office suites that are available!!

Microsoft North American Retail Product Refund Guideline

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2804532 - Manage Office 365 / 2013 Billing Options

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https://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/productrefund/refund.mspx

NOTE:Print out this page and show it to the store!

Hit them in the bottom line by “voting with your feet”, ask for your money back.

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Product Key Card vs. “Traditional” Retail disk - PKC Return policy

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/products/office/Pages/office_2010_sell.aspx

“Media less” Installations: Product Key Cards PKC (2010) / OEM / MLK(2007):

·         For use on new, preloaded PCs only

·         1 license / 1 device / non-transferable

·         Activates preloaded Office or Downloaded installation files

·         Does not include media

Microsoft® Office 2010 Product Key Cards contains a 27 char “PIN” which you have to enter at a site to retrieve your 25 char product key. This key will activate Office on only one PC. No disc supplied. The PKC license is not transferable to another PC. Next week if your cat uses your computer as a litter box, you have to BUY A NEW PKC.

If you “regret” your PKC purchase you can return it.

<snip from the MS License Terms, Product Key Card section>

IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THE LICENSE TERMS, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE. INSTEAD, RETURN YOUR PRODUCT KEY CARD TO YOUR PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A REFUND OR CREDIT.

If you cannot obtain a refund there, contact Microsoft or the Microsoft affiliate serving your country for information about Microsoft’s refund policies. See www.microsoft.com/worldwide. In the United States and Canada, call (800) MICROSOFT or see www.microsoft.com/info/nareturns.htm.

</snip>

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Cancel / Return Online Order Support for both MS and Digital River

https://buy.trymicrosoftoffice.com/buyusa/contactus.aspx?r=PN_USD&culture=en-US&resID=TWMEjAoBAlgAAAWdLpMAAABC

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I'm not going to disagree with most of what you said.  I'll try to address some of your points from the MS point-of-view (as I understand it).

The Ribbon is designed to be easier for NEW users. Its design minimizes the experience of long time users.  It is designed to be "intuitive" for them, NOT for us. MS has statistics "proving" that the ribbon is "more user friendly" than the menu. For what statistics are worth ...  The Jensen Harris blog goes into the (ir)rationelle that went into the ribbon design process. It is a long read but explains some things.

The bottom links I gave you are some to addon tools that recreate the menu withing the ribbon environment.  They are not perfect, but pretty good. I have not seen mention of any specifically for 2013 so you'll have to look at the sites to see what they say (if you do find any for 2013, I'd like to hear about them).

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My son has been a beta tester for Microsoft, and he has told them his opinion on their changes, and every complaint he has issued has been ignored, and they have incorporated whatever they want.  He has told me that they do not listen to the public.  He and all the beta testers he knows have told them what they thought of the changes, and how the changes were not intuitive, or would not be welcomed.  And they are told that they are wrong and that the public wants the changes.  So, my opinion of Microsoft is not very high.  I know that whatever the public wants, Microsoft will do exactly the opposite.

I am going to give Office a couple days, and then make my decision.  I don't need to obsess over this.  If I am still of the opinion that this software is not worth what I paid for it, I will follow the links to get my money back. And then I will go to one of the free Office Suites that I have already tried.  One of them does what I want to do.  And, I will keep searching my house for my missing Office 2003 disc.

There is a "classic" add on you can buy. http://www.addintools.com/office2010/word/

Also, I think the secret to using Word 2013 is customizing your ribbon with the stuff you use the most. There's a handy list here, since I haven't figured out how to search the ribbon menu yet.

http://office-watch.com/commandlist/Word_2010.aspx