Apple iWork is an incredibly powerful (yet easy-to-use) suite of productivity applications used to get stuff done. Pages, Numbers and Keynote are the three applications that make up the iWork suite, and together, they allow you to create stunning documents and collaborate with others.
Like most software, you get out of it what you put into it. If you only understand the basics, you will only reap some of the benefits. The more you understand, the more you will find you can do. That's especially true with iWork for iOS (iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch). Because it's a non-traditional User Interface, performing some of the functions can be a little less intuitive. Today's TechTalk post gives you 5 tips on getting the most out of iWork for iOS (or as I like to call it, "iWork on the Go").
Inserting Tables, Charts, Shapes and Photos
Solid content is critical to the making of a great document, but adding objects in the form of tables, charts, shapes and photos can really make your documents stand out in a crowd. To insert an object, simply tap on the "+" button in the top right corner. From here, choose one of the four available categories, then choose the object you want to insert. Photos will be pulled from your device's built-in Photos app.
Selecting Multiple Objects
There are many situations where it makes sense to select multiple objects at once, whether you want to change the formatting of several text boxes at once or move a group of images together. To select multiple objects, tap and hold on the first object, then using another finger, tap on other objects that you want to have selected at the same time. Want to group the objects together? Choose "Group" from the pop-up contextual menu, immediately after selecting the objects.
Changing the Look and Feel of a Chart
Charts can be a great way to communicate a lot of data quickly, and iWork has some beautiful charts to choose from. Once you add a chart to your document, it's worth exploring the many ways that you can format the chart to match your style. To modify the look and feel of your chart, tap on the chart to select it, then tap on the formatting tool in the top right corner. Take time to explore the many options that are available.
Know Your Fonts
Unlike the Mac, there are only a limited number of fonts available for your iOS device. When syncing iWork documents between your Mac and iOS device, knowing what fonts are available ahead of time can save you time because when a font is used on your Mac that isn't available on your iPad or iPhone, the formatting of your document will be thrown off a little as your device compensates for the discrepancy. The website www.iosfonts.com can help you to know just what fonts are safe to use between devices.
Using Comments
Comments in iWork are like digital Sticky Notes. It's a great way to keep your thoughts organized as your build your Keynote slide deck or Numbers spreadsheet. Adding a new commend to your document is easy and worth using. When you highlight either text or an object, you can choose to create a new comment using the pop-up contextual menu. To remove a comment, simply tap on an existing comment and choose the "Delete" button.
Want to learn more about how to master iWork on your own?
CreativeLive has 4 great classes for walking you through this process, all taught by yours truly. For more information, go to www.iWorkForBusiness.com.
