A plugin for Internet Explorer to allow it display Microsoft Office Content
Microsoft Office 2003 Webcomponents is an active X plugin compatibile with Microsoft Windows 2000, XP and Vista and Internet Explorer 6 or later.
Office 2003 Web Components lastest release includes compatibility with Windows Sharepoint and the new Microsoft Office System 2007, Im not sure why microsoft didnt just released Office 2007 Web Components but at least we are happy to know that it wont have issues with the lastest office installment. The most misleading thing about this release is that even thought is compatible with office 2007, office latest installment cant create web content for IT, instead users are forced to use Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 Enterprise Edition (expensive) rather than Windows SharePoint Server (free).
Going back to Web components, I noticed that internet explorer performance in Vista or Xp is the same running it, thats very nice, therefore its highly recommended.
Pros
- Allows you to display pivot table and charts on a web without even have Office Installed
- Allows you to export data to Excel and Keep connections with the DB if the administrator desire it
Cons
- Not compatible with Mozilla or any other browser than IE
- Some security vulnerabilities patched already