For years, Microsoft Works has been the only acceptable integrated package for the Mac. Version 2.0 should keep things that way. In addition to the four original modules (word processing, spreadsheet, database, and telecommunications), Microsoft has added color, an object-oriented draw mode that can even be used for page layout, a macro maker, and improvements to its word processor, spreadsheet, and database.
Works' word processor isn't a power user's model, but it's more than adequate for a memo or quick letter. Version 2.0's new features include color; decimal and center tabs; a spelling checker, which is a version of Spellswell, with a 60,000-word dictionary (you can also get an expanded dictionary with a 100,000-word dictionary for $14.95 directly from Working Software); the ability to search for and replace tabs and hard returns; and the ability to print three-up mailing labels in cooperation with the database. Also, Works now supports RTF (Microsoft’s Rich Text Format), so Works word-processing documents can be shared with numerous Mac word processors including WriteNow, Word, and Mind Write, as well as some programs in the DOS world.
But perhaps the most powerful and important addition to Works’ word processor (and spreadsheet) is the new draw layer. This object-oriented module is reasonably full featured, offers eight colors (black, white, red, green, blue, cyan, yellow, and magenta), and makes it possible for the user to do page layout without investing in a dedicated program. While the word processor itself can’t create multicolumn documents, the draw layer lets you create text objects in columns and paste text into them. More than that, it lets you link the text objects and keeps track of what text flows to and from which objects, allowing you to edit the text even after it has been placed and flowed. It works, in a limited way, very much like PageMaker. You can also use the more traditional tools to form rules, boxes, and graphics — creating quite a nice newsletter. While there's no limit to the number of columns that you can link, you can’t have more than 32K worth of text in linked columns.
Nonetheless, the draw layer is surprisingly powerful and probably sufficient for most casual uses. It offers all the usual functions you would expect in a stand-alone draw program, such as grouping, layering (send to front/back), polygon and arc tools, auto scrolling, and nudge arrows that will move a selected object one pixel in the indicated direction. About the only common tool that's missing is a rotate function.
But the draw layer can do more than just create graphics and simple page layouts. One of its most powerful functions is its ability to work with imported graphics, Excel charts in particular.
If you copy an Excel chart to the Clipboard and paste it into the Works draw layer, it will initially appear as a single object. That’s pretty standard. But if you select it and choose Ungroup, that single object becomes a collection of independent elements — each of which can be manipulated. So now if you want to highlight a single value along an axis, all you have to do is select it and apply whatever format you want. Excel's legends, which normally are pretty limited in their positioning, can now be disassembled, placed, and customized to your needs and tastes — in fact, you can even take a legend apart and scatter the pieces around. This feature alone is practically worth the price of admission.
Unfortunately, once you’ve done your manipulations, you can’t return the chart to Excel, so any changes you make to the related worksheet won't be reflected in an updated chart. Still, if you’ve ever wanted to be able to do this type of operation, Works 2.0 is a godsend.
And if you really want to jazz up your page layouts or charts, the draw layer lets you spread text along an arc or line. The process is pretty simple: Just type some text, copy it to the Clipboard, draw (or select) a line or arc, and choose Spread Text from the Format menu. The text will now flow along the indicated path. Instead of pasting the text as a single object. Works pastes each letter as an independent object. This makes it possible to optimize the effect by adjusting the spacing one letter at a time — the nudge arrows are particularly useful. And since each letter is an independent object, you can also add whatever formats you like.
Works' spreadsheet isn't as big or complicated as that of Excel (with which it can share data in SYLK or tab-delimited formats), but it is just as powerful in some ways.
Works contains far more functions than Multiplan but not as many as Excel — coming up short mostly in the use of named ranges and linked spreadsheets. Works also returns a 1 or 0 rather than Excel's TRUE or FALSE in logical values. In linguistic terms, Works speaks a different dialect than Microsoft's other spreadsheets, but not an entirely different language. Fixing any importation flaws shouldn't be too painful
Version 2.0 sports an expanded number of rows (16,382 versus 10,000 in version 1.X); the number of columns (256) remains the same. Also new in version 2.0 are date and time functions, the inclusion of cell notes, and accessibility to all cell attributes in a single dialog box that appears when you double-click on a cell. Works 2.0 also lets you freeze column and row titles in place and lets you place borders around selected cells. As with the word processor, the spreadsheet supports up to eight colors of text, but for some curious reason, the color option is not directly available in the Charting mode.
The cell note feature is especially nice. One of the most dangerous things about spreadsheets is the difficulty of documenting assumptions and formulas. Works not only lets you attach these Post-its but also puts a little black square in the upper-right corner of any documented cell — alerting you that you have something to say about the contents of that cell.
The spreadsheet's graphics are also fairly powerful While the gallery of chart styles is smaller than that of its big brother, Works gives you more control over what gets plotted and how it's presented. The spreadsheet's graphs can also be enhanced with the Draw facility. While Works charts are initially drawn in black and white, you can paste them into the draw layer, disassemble them, and add whatever colors you wish. This gives you access to the color options, although it would be nice to have the charts in color from the start.
The database has remained essentially unchanged from earlier versions, but there have been a few additions. For example, you now can paste most of the same calculations accessible in the spreadsheet into your database. You can also rename functions that add the contents of a field, on cither a page-by-page or global basis.
Still there are a few shortcomings to the database. Most critical is the inability to count the number of records that meet a selection's criteria automatically. Also, the database should be able to sort on more than one key at a time; the spreadsheet can, why not the database?
Another failing is the limited range of compatible formats. The database can import tab- and Return-delimited files, but that's it. If you ever have to deal with comma-delimited files, you'll have to convert them into an acceptable format first.
All macros are available from all applications and can be assigned Option-key equivalents. The trouble is, they can't be edited; if you make a mistake, you have to enter the whole thing from scratch.
At a list price of $295 (and a street price around $190), Works 2.0 is an excellent value. You get a worthwhile word processor, a reasonably powerful spreadsheet and database, a usable drawing package, and functional communications. Considering the amount of functionality Microsoft has added, it's remarkable that the price hasn't been raised. For users on a budget or offices needing broad-based functionality rather than specialized power, Works 2.0 could be the perfect solution.
Rosenbaum, Daniel J. (May 1989). Microsoft Works 2.0. MacUser. (pgs. 51, 58).
Microsoft Corporation
Applications
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microsoft_works.sit
Emulating this? It could probably run under: 
Mini vMac
