Microsoft Offering Low-Cost Peeks at New Office Suite

In an unprecedented move, Microsoft(MSFT Quote) is offering a million customers a low-cost trial of the latest version of its new Office software suite before it becomes available in stores.

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Mister Softee has been wringing its hands lately over the tightening PC market and slumping information technology spending -- and devising ways to boost sales of its new Office XP software and other products. Office, the popular PC program that offers e-mail, word- processing and spreadsheet applications, is the company's largest revenue magnet.

Microsoft will ask prospective Office XP users to pay $9.95 for shipping and handling for a trial kit that they can order through the company's website, Microsoft.com. Once installed, it runs for 30 days.

Enticing customers to upgrade to Office XP will be challenging, analysts say, because earlier versions are so widely used, so that the new version must be significantly better to make it worthwhile to switch. The new version offers features like "smart tags" that recognize words and link users to related information.

"We think seeing is believing, and we're confident our customers will find this is the best version of Office yet," said Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president of Office at Microsoft.