Every new version has its pros and cons, and Office 2013 is no different. For the most part, you’ll find the desktop version similar to Office 2010. However, there are some new features, and they come at a cost. Office 2013 does have a casualty list. Here are 10 items you may have trouble finding – and a few that no longer exist.

1: Exit

Exit is no longer available in Backstage view (File tab or Office button). This command closed all open files at once. You can add Exit to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) or right-click the application icon on the Windows Taskbar and choose Close All Windows to close all open files.

2: New from existing

In older versions, you could use an existing document to create a new one. You could then modify and update the new document without changing the original. This option was accessed through the New option on the File tab (Office button and File menu).

In Office 2013 applications, you need to use the Recent section (on the File tab) instead. You can choose Open A Copy on the shortcut menu, but this route gives access only to open documents. Or you can use Windows Explorer to locate a document and choose New instead of Open. You won’t be working from inside Office, but the result will be the same.

3: Clip Organizer and Picture Manager

Clip Organizer provided a quick user interface to online content. The Insert Media dialog box replaces the Clip Organizer in Office 2013. You’ll use this new feature to insert content from online clip art collections and other online sources. Picture Manager is also gone, replaced by Windows Photo Gallery.

4: Excel’s Save As Workspace

You can no longer save Excel’s current layout as a workspace using Save Workspace. It’s completely gone, so you can’t add it to the Quick Access Toolbar either. You can still open a workspace file (*.xlw), at least for now.

5: Word’s Review option

One of Word’s review options, Original: Show Markup is gone from the drop-down in the Tracking group. That view is still available, so if you miss it, add it to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT).

6: Outlook’s ToDo Bar

Outlook 2013 has removed the ToDo bar, replacing it with the new Pinned Peeks feature. The new feature isn’t as comprehensive as the ToDo bar:

  • You can see only the selected day’s appointments.
  • You can view only one navigation calendar at a time.
  • You can’t drag messages to create appointments on a specific date.

7: Outlook Activities

Outlook 2013’s Contact form doesn’t let you enter a contact’s activities, as you could in older versions. You access the field via the Activities option in the show group while entering new contact data. Using this feature, you can view multiple items associated with a contact. Outlook Social Connection, which you can find in the People pane, replaces Activities.

8: Outlook Journal

The Journal window is gone and there’s nothing to replace it. If you used it, you’re just out of luck.

9: Access PivotCharts and PivotTables

Access 2013 no longer supports PivotCharts and PivotTables — the feature’s gone. Microsoft believes Excel’s charting component is superior to anything Access has to offer (it’s true) and recommends that you use Excel’s PivotChart and PivotTable capabilities. If you want those features in Access 2013, you’ll have no choice. Access 2013 still supports legacy charts using MSGraph and charts created by the Chart Wizard.

10: Upsizing Wizard

Access developers will miss this feature. The Upsizing Wizard helps you upgrade an Access database to a new or existing SQL Server database. This feature is gone from Access 2013.

Other elusive or missing features?

Have any of your favorite tools or options disappeared – or been relocated — in Office 2013? Share your experiences with fellow TechRepublic members.

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