One alternative to using the Microsoft Office software is the Office Suite 2007 (powered by OpenOffice). The software offers the power of MS office but at only small fraction the price; $12.97. Users of MS Office will find the transition from MS Office to Office Suite 2007 easy as some of the programs looks similar.
Best of all, the Office Suite 2007 is 100% compatible with MS Office; but don’t take my word for it, try it out for your self. Some users swear that they thought they were using a better version of Word & Excel with the Office Suite 2007. Hundreds of dollar program or less than $15 program with similar performance? It is an easy decision.