The wait is finally over for the Microsoft Office App for iPad Air and Mini.

Office for iPad comes with three mobile apps, namely: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also has the latest and most updated OneNote. Office is beautifully designed with a ribbon-style interface making it easy to navigate on features and menus. A comprehensible design language is shared by each app, making it easy to apply anywhere. Dominant colors clearly define the interfaces of the apps so you can easily identify which app you need to use.

The Word app allows you to work with others and at the same time make comments or follow changes. The Excel app lets you update and review spreadsheets, as well as add charts or formulas. With PowerPoint, you can modify presentations and flash them on a huge screen wirelessly.

Microsoft Office for iPad is easy to set up and start. By signing in with your Microsoft ID and password in any of the apps, you can use all the apps and locally open documents stored in OneDrive or on your iPad. The best part is the "Open in..." feature on Apple, which gives users the choice of loading a document they receive in an email as long as it is supported.

Creating and editing documents is easier with a connected Bluetooth keyboard. It supports all the standard formatting keyboard shortcuts, such as: bold, underline, copy, cut and paste. However, it does not support saving through the keyboard shortcut (the software handles automatic saving). There is no lag time when typing, and it is quick and receptive.

There are some points that were neglected, though. Easy accessibility to an AirPlay button for connecting to a WiFi connected screen is missing, and printing documents, tables, etc. is not feasible from any of the Microsoft apps.

Other Perks

  • Microsoft Office is accessible in 29 languages in 135 markets
  • There is Cloud autosave and collaboration (no synchronized real-time)

The Pros

  • Can read any Office formats for free
  • Presentation mode of PowerPoint is free

The Cons

  • Microsoft Office is free, but you need to pay a subscription fee of $5 per month so you can create and edit documents.

Overall, Microsoft Office for iPad, Air and Mini allows you to be more productive.

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