Office 2003 XML for Power Users

* Edit standard XML files with all the tools of Word and Excel (like formulas and the spell checker)

* Take existing Word or Excel documents, transform all or part of them into XML, and "plug" them into business processes.

* Mine the data in an Office document, using custom macros or applications―on any platform.

* Create rich Word or Excel documents programmatically, without even needing to have Office installed.

* Create smart documents that have built-in user guidance and validation rules to prevent errors.

Matthew MacDonald is an author,educator, and MCSD developer who has a passion for emerging technologies. He isthe author of more than a dozen books about .NET programming. In a dimly-remembered past life, he studied English literature and theoretical physics.