Lifelong Windows user - new to Mac - Help!!!

[Donnat]

Hi. After an entire computer-life spent on Windows, I finally made the switch to Mac!!! I did not want to upgrade to Windows11. I’ve been using IOS for years and Macos is ok. However, I like MS356 and do not want to use the Apple counterparts, that is causing me some heartburn.

I primarily use Outlook, Word, Excel, PPT. Of course, MACOS is not the same as Windows — seems almost EVERYTHING is different. Strange. What was simple, intuitive is now hard! I know it will take some time. For example, I cannot figure out how to customize the Ribbon in Outlook, right click doesn’t work. Can’t find it in Outlook settings. It’s greyed out when I go to Preferences on Word!!! Which makes me think, it’s not customizable…?? (and BTW way, it loaded with the New Outlook, but I reverted back to Legacy due to some issues with new). So my Qs:

• Can I customize the ribbon?
• I can’t find how to ESCAPE out of an email, when I click “esc” on my keyboard, it just gives me a ‘donk’ sound!!! I’m afraid to experiment and hit keys bc bad things happen.
• Can anyone answer my questions, help me with the transition? Suggest a good tutorial for Outlook/Windows to Mac in general?

thank you! Donna

 

[Diane Poremsky]

I cannot figure out how to customize the Ribbon in Outlook,

Currently not customizable. `I believe it is coming to New Outlook, but not sure when.

. It’s greyed out when I go to Preferences on Word!!!

Word's ribbon is customizable. Is Office activated?

I can’t find how to ESCAPE out of an email, when I click “esc” on my keyboard, it just gives me a ‘donk’ sound!!! I’m afraid to experiment and hit keys bc bad things happen.

I always just hit the red ball. But you can assign keyboard shortcuts to an app or all apps -

Apple icon menu > System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts.
Click +
In the Application selector, choose Microsoft Outlook. app. (You could leave it on all apps.)
For the Menu Title, type Close.
In the box on the right, click a modified key + ESC. I used Control + ESC

I'm not aware of any good tutorials - when I was learning it, I googled a lot.


My biggest problem was muscle memory - I use Ctrl+A, C, V and X a lot. My fingers are used to the position on the keyboard... but on the mac, it's the command key... which is beside spacebar. For a short period I tried remapping the keys so control was command and command was control, but it made it harder to learn how to do other things. (I didn't want to try changing the keycaps or putting stickers on them).

I stopped using my windows laptop and found it easier to retrain my fingers - now it's hard to go back the windows laptop - my fingers want to use alt+ for the shortcuts. <g>. (Using my windows desktop with a big keyboard is not a problem - the laptop keyboards are too similar.).

 

[Donnat]

Word's ribbon is customizable. Is Office activated?

Yes it is. But I will check it again and post back if I can’t get it to work.

But you can assign keyboard shortcuts to an app or all apps -

thanks, I will try this

My biggest problem was muscle memory

Yes!!!!! I think this is my biggest problem in switching but, I totally agree that retraining your fingers (and your brain!) is the best path forward. ; ) I know it’ll take some time.

 

[Donnat]

I checked Word again and I was mistaken on the customize ribbon feature being greyed out - it‘s not. I added the keyboard shortcut for Outlook and will use that for any other shortcuts I think may be helpful, but, like you said, remapping made it harder to learn other things, so I will try not to use it too often. And I will use the internet to learn/find out how to do things, which I have been doing to learn/help with Windows to Mac transition. thanks Diane