Microsoft unveils Office 2003 SP1

Microsoft has released the first service pack for Office 2003, offering major enhancements to OneNote 2003 and InfoPath 2003 and software which the company claims can reduce spam.

An improved Outlook builds on the junk email controls introduced in Outlook 2003, allowing users to filter spam by moving messages to the junk email folder based on the sender's country suffix or the character encoding of a message.

The service pack also features improved support for InfoPath developers using managed code, digital signatures and enhanced form-sharing via email.

Microsoft said that, with the provision of additional tools for using managed code and enhanced support for handling XML schemas, developers should find it easier to create InfoPath-based applications.

End user enhancements include additional handwriting support for Tablet PCs, and improved support for InfoPath email attachments and digital signatures.

The service pack is also designed to allow customers to insert Office documents directly into OneNote, import meeting details from Outlook 2003, create Outlook 2003 contacts and appointments, and publish pages to Word 2003.

Microsoft said that much of the new content had been developed in response to customer demand.

As part of the Office beta testing process, the firm has been gathering technical data and customer feedback through a combination of its error reporting tools, Office Online and the Customer Experience Improvement Programme.

Microsoft Office System SP1 is available to registered users on the Microsoft website here.