Ribbon Size
Here is the first very important thing to know about the ribbon. What you see on the ribbon depends on the size of the window. The more pixels available, the more detail you see. Here is the Word ribbon with a width of 800.
And here is the Word ribbon as it appears with a 1440 horizontal window width.
Yep, I know it is hard to see it reduced that small... so here are some of the different groups from the Home tab, side by side:
| Window width: 800 | Window width: 1440 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Even when the buttons are all the same, the order is completely different. As you can imagine, this can make giving directions very difficult! If you are using a higher resolution, I would say click the Replace button in the Editing group of the Home tab. If you are using a lower resolution, I would have to say, click the Editing button on the Home tab and click Replace. I know it may not seem like much, but it is enough to confuse people. Now, when I am asked for help with 2007 products, I ask for the screen resolution before I give directions. :-) Bottom line, it will make the ribbon easier to use if you can stand a higher resolution for a little while. More of the buttons are displayed and/or clearly labeled. Ditto with working maximized. Wider is definitely better when it comes to Office 2007 windows.
By request, for those who don't want a higher rez, but want to see the detail for reference, download this Word document which contains screen captures of each of the Word ribbon tabs at 1440. (Other office apps coming soon!)
More stuff you should know about the ribbon.
