![]() ![]() Unlike the ribbon in Microsoft Word, the Pages format sidebar only shows contextual options based on what a user has selected. The sandbox of layout tools also make Pages much more creatively free and replaces many single use functions in Microsoft Word with simple intuitive ingenuity. When you combine the exceptional formatting tools with the great layout features you’re left with an app that makes better looking and properly formatted documents way faster and easier. ![]() The power of iWork stems from the ease of moving shapes, text, or images anywhere you want with advanced controls. We all know these Word users.īut any iWork app is special because it’s also a layout app. Or to use tab spaces instead of actual paragraphing. This leaves most users to manually format any text in their document instead of style their document. In Microsoft Word these concepts are flat out hidden or found in clumsy cluttered interfaces. The user interface also teaches key concepts like paragraphical formatting and styles, which are front and center. The formatting sidebar arranges these complex options in a manner that is effortless to discover and use. Line spacing, before paragraph line spacing, after paragraph line spacing, drop caps, columns, indents, hyphenation, tabs, rules, justification. It turns something that’s a nightmare on Microsoft Word into a trivial task. Pages has some of the easiest to use yet completely comprehensive text formatting tools. And, in fact, better than the other two competitors. Forget any preconceptions about word processors you have. More on that in another post.First, take a step back. Pages may work for you now, but until corporate America changes you may need Office at some point. However, at the moment Microsoft has a strong hold on the business world. But to be fair, for writing and word processing? Pages can be a great choice, especially on portable devices such as the iPad and Macbook Air. ![]() Office has excellent suites that are compatible with Mac, and if you find yourself in the business world, and moving toward a more professional writing career, this may be the answer for you. Conclusion: What do you need? This is a constant debate. If you like Pages there may be no issue with you using it as your primary writing software. There are other options, to be explored later. What I have found with compatibility is this: the more professional environments you find yourself in, the more you need the advanced features and compatibility of Word and other Office components. Again, as both an editor and an author, and someone who works with governments and businesses who are staunchly PC, I need those advanced features to translate. Track changes and comments do not translate between the two programs. The only places it loses on are the same advanced features where other software is not compatible. Is Pages compatible with Word? Yes! To a point. For the straight fiction writer, it will suit your needs well. A side note: if you are creating documents for presentation or research, Word leaps ahead with additional functionality, and better shapes and templates. The User Interface and menus are good, but the program is not overly cluttered, and the controls do not detract from its primary purpose: word processing. Adapting to the controls should be very easy, especially if you already use other Mac based programs. I tested it at a local Mac store, and was quickly impressed. It is easy to use: if you are a long time Word user you will be navigating effortlessly within minutes. Pages is very intuitive, and excellent software. You can price Pages and Office for Mac software here. This is another situation where it’s necce3ssary to evaluate what you need, and what you’ll actually use. If you buy each app from Apple you will spend nearly the same as an equivalent Office suite. Spreadsheet, Presentations, and other software similar to Office is offered in the Mac store, each at about $20. That being said, Pages is just a word processing app, like Word, but not part of a larger Office suite. ![]() But Mac has this great app, very affordable, and it’s a pretty damn good software. You‘ve looked at OpenOffice, and decided it’s not right for you. Through the process described in earlier posts, you’ve chosen Mac over PC, or perhaps you already have one. ![]()
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