Microsoft Access 2007
• Database Templates – let you build complete applications for tracking contacts, tasks events, students, and other types of data. They can be used as is, or enhanced to fit exactly what you need. They contain predefined tables, forms reports, and queries so that they are immediately useful out of the box.
• More intuitive object creation tools – provide an environment for easily creating forms and reports that display sorted, filtered, and grouped information.
• New Data types and controls – let you create multi-valued fields for the handling of complex data in a single field. An Attachment field lets you store all types of documents and binary files in your database with out unnecessary growth in database size. Memo fields now store rich text and support revision history. A new calendar control allows for the picking of dates.
• Improved design and analysis tools – include an enhanced field list pane, enhanced sorting and filtering tools, totals and alternating background colors in datasheets, and enhanced security.
Visual Studio Tools For Office (VSTO)
While this is not part of Office 2007: Professional Edition, it is what is used to interact with these products from within Visual Studio 2008. Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 Release has brought VSTO into the IDE and it now also supports the development of InfoPath, Visio, and PowerPoint applications in addition to Word, Excel, and Outlook that were supported in prior versions. This makes the release of Office 2007: Professional Edition even more powerful for Windows application and Web Developers.
What this also means is that you can not only manipulate the native documents programmatically, something that could be done using VBA in prior version, but you can dynamically extract the data from these sources. They change to display in ways never before accomplished without a lot of pain, sweat, and tears on the part of the developer. Tied to Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Windows Workflow Foundation (WWF), and Windows Communications Foundation (WCF), a developer using this platform can truly integrate a workplace like never before.
As I alluded to before, back in the old days (5-10 years ago) when you needed to generate interaction with Microsoft Word or Excel, you had to jump through some hoops to get it done. It was always through some external interface and if everything wasn't just right, it was plain hard to debug the problems.
Article comments
1 - Edwin Bartow
Just wanted to mention one other option for anybody struggling with the new Ribbon interface. Office 20007 is a great product! ToolbarToggle is an inexpensive add-in utility which brings back the Office 2003 Toolbars and Menus into Office 2007. ToolbarToggle can be used with the Ribbon or replace the Ribbon - as well as they support full customization with Macros. Would love to get your feedback when you have a chance.