OFF98: Running Multiple Versions of Office on the Same Computer

ID: Q200137

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition
Microsoft Office for the Macintosh, version 4.2.1

SUMMARY

It is possible to install and use Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition with a prior version of Microsoft Office on a single Macintosh computer. For example, you can install and use both Microsoft Office 98 Macintosh Edition and Microsoft Office for the Macintosh, version 4.2.1 on the same computer.

MORE INFORMATION

In order to successfully run multiple versions of Microsoft Office on your Macintosh computer, you must install each version of Office to its own Macintosh system in its own partition space. Use the following outline to guide you through this process:

Create Multiple Partitions

Set up your computer to use multiple partitions each with their own operating system. While the operating systems can all be the same version, they must be installed onto a unique partition on the hard disk. You will need one partition and operating system for each different version of Microsoft Office that you wish to install. For information on how to do this, consult your documentation on Apple Drive Setup.

To set which partition and operating system to use on startup, use the Startup Disk Control Panel. To use the Startup Disk Control Panel, follow these steps:

On the Apple menu, point to Control Panels, and click Startup Disk.

Click to select the partition you want to start from.

Install Office 98 Macintosh Edition to the First Partition

After you have installed the appropriate Macintosh OS to the first partition, install Microsoft Office 98. See the following article for more information on how to install Microsoft Office.

OFF98: How to Use the Microsoft Office Installer Program

Install Another Version of Office to the Second Partition

After you have installed the appropriate Macintosh OS to the second partition, install Microsoft Office 4.2.1 or other version. For more information on how to install Microsoft Office, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to Add/Remove a Single Office for Mac Program or Component

WARNING: Running Office 98 while in the second partition that has been designated for Office 4.2.1 will cause Office 98 to begin its first run installation process, effectively installing Office 98 onto the Office 4.2.1 partition. This will cause problems with both versions of Office. For more information about these problems, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

OFF98: Double-Clicking a File Starts Earlier Version Program

OFF98: Blank Icons Appear for Office Documents

Space Requirements

The following table lists the approximate disk space requirements for the different Operating Systems and versions of Office depending on the options chosen during the various installations.


      Mac OS     MB Reqired 
      ------     ----------
      7.5        ~25MB
      7.5.x      ~35MB
      7.6.x      ~70MB
      8.x        ~95MB


      Office    MB Reqired
      ------    ----------
      4.2.x      ~85MB
      98        ~100MB

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Additional query words: XL98 OFF98 coexist co-exist

Keywords : kbsetup kbdta xlmacsetup
Version : MACINTOSH:4.2.1,98
Platform : MACINTOSH
Issue type :