Michal Ždanský The Office suite for iOS is among the most advanced software you can find on this platform. Microsoft really cared and created a practically full-fledged version of Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications. But with one catch: editing and creating documents required an Office 365 subscription, without which the applications functioned only as a document viewer. This does not apply from today. Microsoft completely changed its strategy and offered full functionality for both iPad and iPhone for free. I mean, almost.
It is also related to the new strategy recently closed partnership with Dropbox, which can act as an alternative storage (to OneDrive) for documents. Thanks to this, users can download Office for free and manage files on Dropbox without having to pay Microsoft a single penny. This is a 180-degree turn for the Redmond-based company and fits in perfectly with the vision of Satya Nadella, who is pushing for a much more open approach to other platforms, while previous CEO Steve Ballmer pushed primarily his own Windows platform.
However, Microsoft does not see this step as a change in strategy, but as an extension of the existing one. He points to web applications that also allow you to edit Office documents for free, although to a limited extent and not sharing the full range of features with the desktop software. According to a Microsoft spokesperson, online editing has only moved to mobile platforms: “We're bringing the same user experience we provide online to native apps on iOS and Android. We want to make sure users can be productive on all the devices they own.”
What Microsoft isn't talking about, however, is its struggle to keep Office relevant. The company faces competition on several fronts. Google Docs is still the most popular tool for editing documents among multiple people, and Apple also offers its office suite, on desktop, mobile devices and on the web. In addition, competitive solutions are offered for free and, although they do not have as many functions as Office, they are sufficient for the average user and make it very difficult for Microsoft to defend the monthly subscription for the Office 365 service as well as the one-time purchase of a package that comes out once every few years. The threat that users and eventually companies will do without Office is real, and by making editing functions available, Microsoft wants to win users back.
But all that glitters is not gold. Microsoft is far from giving away all of Office for free. First of all, editing features without a subscription are only available to regular users, not businesses. They cannot do without Office 365 for the full operation of Word, Excel and Powerpoint. The second catch is the fact that this is actually a freemium model. Some advanced but also key features are only available with a subscription. For example, in the free version of Word, you cannot change page orientation, use columns, or track changes. In Excel, you cannot customize the styles and layout of the pivot table or add your own colors to the shapes. However, this may not bother the vast majority of users in the end, and they can use great office software for free without any problems.
It will be interesting to see what model Microsoft chooses for the new Office for Mac, which they come out in next year. Apple also offers its iWork office suite for free for Mac, so there is high competition for Microsoft, although its tools will offer more advanced functions and, in particular, 365% compatibility with documents created on Windows, which is a huge problem with iWork. Microsoft has already revealed that it will offer some form of licensing for Word, Excel and PowerPoint on the Mac, and it's clear that subscribing to Office XNUMX will be one option. However, it is not yet clear whether Microsoft will also bet on a freemium model on the Mac, in which everyone will be able to use at least the basic functions for free.
a bit over-compliacated, otherwise like the whole of MS...
How to insert fixed spaces in Word? Or Word on iOS can't do it?
As far as I know, neither Word nor Pages can do fixed spaces on iOS. You can therefore forget about any more serious text writing on the iPad, and the iPad can therefore in no way replace a desktop computer or laptop - it can't even properly do such a task as writing text. And that's quite a shame for the money.
:) isn't it for more important writing...? That's right, that it's jokingly written, I'm quite relieved!
You smart guy, take a look at the format of this article, for example - a written work in this form would get you beaten over the head at school, and you would be laughed at by business partners with such a letter. Being able to write correctly formatted documents is the basis, and if it doesn't work on a device for 20 thousand, then something is probably wrong.
I would also like to add that Libre Office or Open Office is a big competitor to classic NB or Mac.
Yes, but it is completely incompatible, you need to use macros ;-).
But really, how many people at HOME need macros?
To that, I can only say that I don't need Office or the competition for free ;-).
So, when I have to use something, it's for work, and that's with the most special functions, and there's not much compatibility between versions even with MS, let alone Open Office, etc... :-(.
Well, at most for masochists :-) The GUI is really a textbook case, where not. (i.e. office 2011 apart from the new outlook and onenot is also terrible) Compatibility with office only with slightly more complicated formatting (I'm not talking about macros at all) very poor. I'm not talking about powerpoint at all.
Hi, I really don't like it when you write about SW and then there is no link to it in the article. Why that?
Do you think they need financial help, we give all kinds of loans to cooperating entities and individuals who need a loan with a minimum interest rate.
We are a dynamically developing company that provides financial assistance. services provided include; Xmas loan, refinance, home improvement, investment loan, car loans, debt consolidation, line of credit, business loans, personal loans, car loan, car loan.
If you are interested in our reliable rental service, contact us via e-mail for more information, as I will be happy to provide you with a reliable service.
Contact Name: Heinrich Jesse
Contact E-mail: jesseserv01@gmail.com