Microsoft Word for iPad 1.0 - app

If you've been missing Microsoft's Office suite on the iPad, you don't have to worry anymore because the company has released Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for the iPad.

Instead of a quick port of the iPhone version, Office for iPad consists of a trio of apps designed specifically for use on the iPad.

It's important to know that to create and edit documents, an Office 365 subscription is required. The free versions can only view or present Office documents.

A high learning curve to learn all the options

Microsoft Word is an excellent suite on desktop. It's a powerful tool that still hasn't been defeated. The difference with Microsoft Word for iPad is that it replaces all functionality that was formerly used with a mouse with touch controls.

If you have previous experience with Microsoft Word, then using the app for iPad won't be a problem. All the major features are present like creating documents through different templates, writing text with a ton of different fonts, and editing documents stored on the iPad or OneDrive.

Touch-based control isn't precise

While it's easy to create documents and edit text, performing more advanced functions is more difficult. Typing text through the on-screen keyboard is okay, but there is a limit in typing speed unless you are very familiar typing with Apple's keyboard.

Manipulating images is more difficult because you have to prepare the document before adding them. If you want the image centered, you have to change alignment before adding it. Photos are imported from the Camera Roll. Once the image is placed, you can't change the alignment which is very annoying.

As a creation tool, it makes more sense for rough drafts rather than full documents. The editing options are present, but if you're dealing with images then it's better to wait until you have a mouse. Though the shared real-time editing available could be a great tool for collaboration.

Integration through OneDrive is great because it will save and sync all changes when you exit the document. But the necessity of the Office 365 subscription makes the app's real usability only available if you pay for it.

Only useful if you have Office 365

As a free app, Microsoft Word can only be used as a viewer. You can't edit or create any documents through the app.

With the subscription, the app is useful for quick edits for text. Photo manipulation is trickier, but can be learned if you spend a lot of time with the app. For a casual user, Microsoft Word for iPad isn't really useful next to Apple's Pages. But if you already have a Office 365 subscription, then this is the app to use.

Download Microsoft Word for iPad 1.0