Office applications are essential for both day-to-day work and our personal use. In 2017, Apple iWork was launched for free to offer its customers an alternative to the Microsoft Office and Google Docs office giants.
At Rambox, we want you to work as efficiently as possible and increase your productivity. So that you can judge whether this computing solution fits all your needs, this week, we share with you our review of the iWork suite.
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What is Apple iWork?
iWork is a productivity suite designed exclusively for iOS and macOS operating system users, although it can work on other platforms through iCloud.
It consists of three apps (Pages, Numbers, and Keynote) that are free to anyone with an Apple ID.
Pages
Pages is a word-processing application.
In addition to basic processing functionality, Pages has more than 90 default, Apple-designed templates. In this way, Pages allows its users to create different documents, such as reports, invitations, or resumes, with a high level of design and quickly and easily. Along with the rest of Apple’s desktop applications, Pages integrates with the iLife suite.
The Pages application allows you to open and edit Microsoft Word and plain text documents.
Keynote
Keynote is an application used to create and play presentations.
Although similar and comparable to Microsoft PowerPoint, its features are different and provide unique features. It has many templates, transitions, and effects that allow you to make creative presentations with an impeccable design with little effort and help you to optimize your time.
Keynote presentations are saved as .key files by default, although it supports various file formats, such as .ppt.
Numbers
Numbers is a spreadsheet application added in 2007.
It allows users to organize data in tables, perform calculations through formulas, and create visual elements such as graphs or charts, using data inserted into spreadsheets. The main difference from its competitors is that it allows you to create multiple tables in a single document on a flexible canvas.
Like the rest of the iWork applications, Numbers has more than 30 default templates designed exclusively for finance, education, and business uses. In addition, the graphics pasted into all documents update as the data in their respective spreadsheets changes.
The primary differentiation of Apple’s desktop applications from its competitors is that iWork is focused on offering creative solutions. With its three tools, you can create documents, slides, and presentations that attract attention since it allows you to include effects, graphics, and animations.
What features does Apple iWork include?
Below is a list of all the features and functionalities included in Apple’s office suite:
Document Creation and Collaboration
- Creation of documents, spreadsheets, and slides.
- Convenient access to web apps, allowing users to collaborate and work on documents online.
- Seamless ability to open documents across multiple devices and platforms.
- Allows real-time collaboration between members of the same team.
- Easily share your work with other colleagues on iOS or macOS.
Customization and Templates
- Easily customize and configure the cell border style in your spreadsheets.
- Advanced tools for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Customize your creations to the maximum.
- Characterized by the ability to create cinema-quality animations.
- Documents have more than 90 templates.
- Spreadsheets have more than 30 templates.
- Offers 30 Apple-designed themes.
- Graphical and design tools are easy to use.
Creativity and multimedia
- Add creativity and dynamism by creating interactive graphics for your documents.
- You can create animations with the data you want.
- Easily and creatively create tables, charts, graphs, text, and images.
- Insert all the audiovisual elements: photos, music, and videos.
- You can use the Apple Pencil to annotate and draw.
- Features multi-touch gestures.
Productivity and Efficiency
- Speed up processes with function suggestions.
- Automatic highlighting of cells based on rules.
- Built-in help and sample formulas.
- View your data quickly and easily. You can preview your animations.
- Smart zoom and keyboard
- It has a simplified toolbar.
- The presenter screen is customizable.
Additional Features
- Features a slide navigator.
- Built-in iCloud for data storage and synchronization.
- Includes stand-alone interactive shows.
- Features a recorded narration tool.
- Allows exporting spreadsheets to CSV, PDF, and MS Excel.
Pros and cons of Apple iWork
Starting with the advantages offered by Apple iWork, unlike competitors like Microsoft, is entirely free and unlimited. For example, for Mac users, an active Office 365 subscription of $70 per year is required to edit or create new Microsoft Word documents.
Second, the iWork interface is more straightforward and cleaner. Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are potent tools with interfaces full of menus and options. Apple iWork provides a simpler interface, as most of us never get to use more than the basic functionality of these programs. For that reason, the iWork interface removes all unnecessary distractions, hiding many of the more advanced settings that are rarely used by the average user in the formatting sidebar. This creates a clean and comfortable environment that increases productivity.
iCloud and Handoff synchronization on other devices is also one of its strengths. In addition to keeping all your Pages, Numbers, and Keynote documents in iCloud, you can transfer files and documents between Apple devices without skipping beats (or even Save). This functionality is crucial when your work requires working with multiple devices.
The collaborative tools offered by Apple are also very interesting. They provide very similar features to Microsoft Office, so it’s hard to say which one is better. In both, you can send an invitation on the Share or Collaborate button, create an iCloud link or transfer it via AirDrop to your contacts. The recipient can then make real-time changes to the file. The only drawback is that you can’t collaborate from iWork to Office. Each person will need to be able to use their iWork apps.
Finally, Apple has done much work on the compatibility of its applications. Working with iWork allows you to export files to .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, and .pptx. .pdf, .csv, and .html. This way, you can save your files in the most convenient format for each recipient. There will still be missing characters and formatting inconsistencies in documents opened from Office, but they will not be a major problem.
Let’s move on to the disadvantages. The negative feature that stands out the most about iWork is that the clarity and cleanliness of its interface sacrifice certain advanced features. The program lacks features that could be key to developing your work efficiently, such as, for example, the appointment manager or advanced replacement.
On the other hand, both collaboration and sending native iWork files are only possible between Apple devices. For this reason, if your team consists of different operating systems other than iOS, working in Office may be more convenient. This way, you’ll avoid inconsistencies between formats, you’ll ensure that your team can always open files correctly, and you’ll be able to collaborate with them.
Finally, it should be noted that the Pages interface lacks mail merge or multi-chapter support.
Apple iWork Technical Specifications
Apple iWork is designed to support a wide range of devices, catering to the diverse needs of users. The suite is compatible with iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads, and macOS devices, including MacBooks, iMacs, and Mac Pros.
This cross-platform support ensures that iWork users can seamlessly transition between their mobile devices and desktop computers, enabling productivity on the go.
Regarding customer types, iWork is suitable for various user categories. It caters to individual users who require office productivity software for personal use, offering a user-friendly interface and a comprehensive set of features.
It also meets the needs of professionals, including freelancers, small business owners, and creative individuals who depend on efficient document creation, spreadsheet analysis, and compelling presentation design.
Additionally, iWork is a valuable tool for educational institutions, empowering students and educators alike with its collaborative features and intuitive design.
Apple provides extensive support for iWork, ensuring users can make the most of the suite’s capabilities. Official documentation, tutorials, and user guides are readily available on Apple’s website, offering step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting tips.
Users can also access customer support through various channels, such as online chat, email, or phone, to address any queries or technical issues they may encounter while using iWork.
Integration is a key strength of iWork, allowing users to connect their documents with other Apple applications and services seamlessly. Integration with iCloud enables automatic synchronization of iWork documents across devices, ensuring that the latest versions are accessible from any device with an internet connection.
How to work with Apple iWork in Rambox
Rambox allows you to unify as many applications as you want in the same place, making it the perfect tool to improve productivity when working with multiple applications.
If you want to add iWork applications to your taskbar to improve your concentration and productivity when working with Rambox, you will only have to follow three simple steps:
1. Click on the + icon in your applications panel.
2. In the slider, choose the “Apple” category.
3. Once you have entered this category, choose the options you wish to work within the Rambox App.
4. Click on the “+ add” button to add the application to your application panel.
You are now finished! You can now work with Pages, Keynote, and Numbers on the same desktop and in an organized way.
If the number of applications you have to work with overwhelms you, and you can’t optimize your time and resources, try Rambox for free. Just download it, configure it to your liking and start enjoying its features. No cards, no cheating, it’s that simple!
