Excel 2003 includes support for Extensible Markup Language (XML) and new features that make it easier to analyze and share information. Excel 2003 enables you to work more productively with others and includes tools that help you protect sensitive information. Enhancements to statistical functions make it easier to analyze complex data.
Harness the Power of XML
Read, analyze, and manipulate data in any Extensible Markup Language (XML) schema without reformatting. You can work with XML data sources using charts, tables, or graphs. Save spreadsheets in a native XML file format and custom schemas for easier, more advanced information creation, capture, exchange, and reuse.
Use Smart Documents to Reuse and Share Content
It's easier than ever to reuse existing content and share information. Smart documents enable you to create customized task panes which dynamically suggest actions or provide information depending on your actions. They can also interact with a variety of databases and other Office 2003 Editions programs—all without you leaving your workbook.
Customize Functionality with More Flexible Smart Tags
Apply smart tags to deliver a menu of context-sensitive options when and where you need them to complete tasks more quickly.
Take Advantage of Enhanced List Functionality
Specify a range of cells as a list and group and work with the related data independently of data outside the list.
Get Better Results with Statistical Function Improvements
If you work with statistics, enhancements in collinearity detection, calculations of sum of squared deviations, normal distributions, and continuous probability distribution functions enhance how you can work with data.
Collaborate with Document Workspaces
Save your worksheet to a Document Workspace to simplify the process of co-writing, editing, and reviewing spreadsheets with others in real time. When you open worksheets attached to a Document Workspace, the Shared Workspace task pane displays the online status of team members, associated tasks, links to related sites and files, and other information to help you work more effectively.
Help Control Spreadsheet Distribution
Use information rights management (IRM) functionality in Excel 2003 to help prevent recipients from forwarding, copying, or printing sensitive documents.
Edit Lists in Windows SharePoint Services
Integration with Windows SharePoint Services allows you to compose lists in Excel 2003 spreadsheets and transfer them to Windows SharePoint Services sites for easier editing. Edit the lists in Excel 2003 or on the Windows SharePoint Services site.