Originally Posted by Tim SPRACKLEN

All of these apps will read 'native' Office format - including the .docx, .pptx, .xlsx format - and edit and export them in .doc, .xls, .ppt or PDF

With varying degrees of faithfulness. If you don't expect too much you should be ok.

I use Documents to Go and am pleased with it. I just am mindful of formatting issues, but so far so good. But I don't use anything fancy, just basic fonts and spacing, etc. But it works. I even now type documents in Docs to Go and then convert them to PDF and then can make notes on them. Pretty cool stuff.

Originally Posted by Tim SPRACKLEN

Originally Posted by NEWPORT

And allow them to be opened up and accessed and altered or changed later?

Yes I know I am mixing two religions here, but I am trying to convert all the way over, but I cannot do it unless I can work....and I need this to work!

Dear Newport,

Another possibility, to those already mentioned, are the Apple 'Office' apps - 'Pages' (Word compatible), 'Numbers' (Excel compatible) and 'Keynote' (PowerPoint compatible). All of these apps will read 'native' Office format - including the .docx, .pptx, .xlsx format - and edit and export them in .doc, .xls, .ppt or PDF format. Documents can be imported using email attachments (from where Pages, Numbers and Keynote can open them directly) or from the Apple 'MobileMe' server. If you have the latest OS, then you can print the document directly too. As other contributors have pointed out, these are 'stripped down' full-size apps, so there are some limitations in what they can do or display. Nevertheless, I've used them for some months now and they seem reliable given these restrictions.

You can find out more here

Apple - iPad - Create beautiful documents with a tap.

Apple - iPad - Innovative spreadsheets in just a few taps.

and here

Apple - iPad - Powerful presentations at your fingertips.

There's also extensive on-line help

Tim
Scotland

QFT

iWork (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) are currently the most compatible apps for opening, accessing, modifying, and transferring to and from Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).



I've been using these apps with ease. It's even easier to transfer and sync docs, spreadsheets, and presentations with MobileMe enabled.



Apple - iWork - Documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. The Mac way.

Apple - iWork - Open, save, and email Microsoft Office files.

Many thanks to all who contributed to this iWorks Suite use (Pages, Numbers, KeyNote). Since I am new on the Forum and just got my iPad (with the newest OS 4.2), can some one shed the light on how to print directly from Ipad a document from any of the above mentioned applications to the WiFi enabled network printer, without "hubbing" it through the PC or MAC computer. Would a separate Printer App be necessary to purchase/download ( and if so, which is recommended to be able to print any of the documents from the iWorks suite, PDFs and Webpages)? Or is the wireless printing capability of IPAD already enabled through this new OS 4.2?

Many thanks

You can't print directly from the iWorks apps at this time. Right now you have to export the document via iTunes, Email, iDisk, iWork.com, or a WebDAV client. They don't even support the Airprint. Probably because it isn't fully implemented yet. I'd expect it to show up in the next update, sometime around April or May, if the rumors pan out.

You can print from some other apps using Airprint, but you'll need a compatible printer. iOS: AirPrint 101

I've hear rumors that Epson is also producing a compatible printer now, or in the near future. I can't confirm that.

It is possible to get apps that will let your print via the Open With feature. You need one for the iPad and a host computer, PC or Mac. With that it is possible to save your file in on iDisk and then use the iDisk app to print. Or you can email the document to yourself and print from the Mail app.

I use Printer Pro, but there are a couple others that work just as well or better.

And that about exhausts my knowledge of printing wirelessly from the iPad. And speaking of exhaustion, maybe I should go to bed. I'm starting to run out of night.

You can print directly to a compatible printer from the iPad using iWork using AirPrint.

Here's a link on printing from iWork on iPad:

Pages for iPad: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Originally Posted by support.apple.com

Using AirPrint you can print your documents directly from your iPad to an AirPrint-compatible printer. To print, tap the Tools menu and select Print. See iOS AirPrint 101 for more details.

Originally Posted by support.apple.com

If you don’t have access to an AirPrint-enabled printer, Pages also makes it easy to create Pages ’09, Microsoft Word, and PDF files that can be sent via email, iWork.com, iDisk, WebDAV, or iTunes. These files can be printed from any computer that can open them.*

Originally Posted by xune

You can print directly to a compatible printer from the iPad using iWork using AirPrint.

Oops, missed that. Most of the input/output options are on the file selection page. I thought AirPrint was available, but couldn't find it. Forgot to check the options after the document was open.

Thanks for catching my bad.

Many thanks for all your answers. Greatly appreciated.

I know that my next question is different from what was discussed in this string and am not sure whether I am doing wrong by not opening another thread: can anyone recommend how to solve the problem with Flash since Adobe Flash is not supported by IPAD? Any app that someone could suggest that I can get from the App Store that would enable both opening web pages that require Flash plus watching the on-line videos that require Flash.

Many thanks again in advance to all of you, real experts and enthusiasts..

Try http://www.skyfire.com/

Many thanks for the input about SkyFire. Would this enable BOTH the reading from URLs that require Flash (such as reading some newspapers) AS WELL AS enable watching video stream from links that require Flash, or is it not solving (not applicable for) a video streaming? Wondering if you own this App and what is your personal experience in that regard. Your comment is extremely appreciated.