Documents to Go, the Microsoft Word editing and desktop sync application from DataViz, is now available in the app store. This multi-functional application allows you not only to view, create, and edit Word documents while on the go, but also keep several other file types readily available for view on your iPhone or iPod Touch.
Documents to Go allows you to access Word docs, text docs, HTML docs, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, Adobe PDF docs, Apple iWork ‘08 files, and many image file types, including .bmp, .jpg, .gif, and .png. Its greatest functionality is the ability to accurately and seamlessly create documents with many of the most common formatting options available at your fingertips. A scrollable toolbar containing formatting options sits atop the keyboard (or along the bottom of the screen when the keyboard is hidden). Tap on any icon to bring up more icons related to that grouping, or swipe your finger along the toolbar to see more formatting icons. At a touch, you can save, cut/copy/paste, select all, bold, italicize, underline, change font color, highlight, center or justify text, create bulleted or numbered lists, indent paragraphs, find & replace text, zoom, undo/redo, access word count info, or access file details. The iTunes description also includes embedded graphics, tables, table of contents, hyperlink support, and the ability to view comments, footnotes, and textboxes, though we have yet to note these features. Documents can be viewed and edited in either portrait or landscape. Utilizing InTact Technology, DataViz promises to preserve all of your original document formatting when editing and transferring documents between your iDevice and your computer.
The main menu allows you to quickly access both local files (files created on the iDevice and not synced with your computer) and desktop files (files synced and transferred from your computer), as well as access your 5 most recently viewed files. There is a free downloadable desktop application available from www.dataviz.com that offers 2-way syncing with your iDevice over Wi-Fi. Be sure to note the system requirements before purchasing the app to ensure full functionality with your files.
We found the application very simple to use, and all tested file types were clearly legible, even without the multi-level zoom functionality. We could only find a couple of minor complaints. We would like to see an explanation of the icons, as it is not always clear what each one does. Also, when we pressed the Edit button on the local documents screen, the Done button did not always display properly, leaving only the option to delete files and no way to cancel the edit selection without exiting the application. Some form of spellchecker and/or grammerchecker would also be appreciated. At any rate, we found Documents to Go to be a very impressive application.
A future update promises to incorporate both create and edit functionality for Excel spreadsheets, which we look forward to and greatly welcome. No word on whether Access databases will be supported in the future. Currently, DataViz is offering Documents to Go for $4.99, a terrific price for the value. The sale only lasts through June 30, so pick up this 5-Dimple stud today.
Note: This entire review was created and formatted using an iPod Touch with no influence from a desktop PC.
Documents To Go gets our AppSmile 5-Dimple rating:
