Scott Bassett Reviews MS Office on iPad

There are many apps that let you open and edit Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) files on an iPad.  I use Documents to Go Premium mostly because I have been using a version of this app since I carried a Palm OS device in the 90's, but there are several other choices.  As handy as they are, these apps do not provide the entire Office feature set.  For example, I often use PowerPoint files with embedded audio or video or complex transitions when I teach at CLE seminars or law schools.  For the most part, those advanced features are lost when I open a PowerPoint file in one of the many iPad apps that allow you to open, create, and edit basic Office files.  Also, key features in Word such as the all-important Tracked Changes don't work with most iPad apps that claim MS Office file compatibility.  What if you want (need?) to use your iPad as full-featured tool to create and edit Office files?

You could wait for Microsoft to develop an iPad app that preserves these advanced features.  There are rumors that Microsoft is working on a version of Office that will run on the iPad.  But I doubt that a native iPad Office app, even from Microsoft itself, will be able to preserve all of the advance features of the Office suite running on a PC.  If you want to try a full version of Office on your iPad now, there at least two apps (and a third option) to consider.

No matter your choice of apps, using an external Bluetooth keyboard makes creating and editing Word files and responding to email much easier. If you don't mind adding bulk to your iPad in favor of the convenience of having a keyboard with you at all times, consider a keyboard case (aka folio) such as those made by Logitech, Belkin, Targus, or Zagg. My personal preference is a standalone Bluetooth keyboard you carry only when you need it.  A standalone keyboard avoids spoiling the slim profile and relatively light weight of the iPad the majority of the time that an external keyboard is not required  The most popular standalone keyboard is Apple's own wireless keyboard, but there are alternatives from Logitech, Targus, and Genius.  

Read more of Scott's review on his Affinity Blog here.

Comments

[Deborah Bennett Berecz]

Thanks Scott and Jeanne. You could always convert completely to Mac, use Keynote, and then you don't have to worry about PowerPoint losses! I am transferring a PowerPoint presentation to Apple's Keynote program and am looking forward to being able to run it on my iPad. But my office is all Mac so of course this makes sense for me. I can't wait until some of the legal accounting programs begin to make programs for Mac!