After only a few weeks of being able to use the preview version of Microsoft Office Mobile for Android, Microsoft has released the final version. The very short feedback session probably convinced the Redmond giant that Office for Android is ready for the mainstream.
If you have a tablet with a screen larger than seven inches and use KitKat 4.4 with an ARM processor and 1 gigabyte of RAM, you can download it for free from the Google Play Store. Then, as long as you have a Microsoft account, you can begin using all the features of the software right away.
Once downloaded and logged in, you have access to Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The mobile and desktop versions are very similar. I found myself instantly comfortable with the typical Office characteristics and controls and after a few minutes of exploring, I was already creating, editing and saving documents with ease.
Microsoft Office Mobile looks the part but how does it perform? On my tablet, the apps performed very well indeed. They load quickly, the interface is clean and simple and if you can use the desktop version of Office or have an Office 365 subscription you’ll feel right at home.
Word is very similar to what you’re probably used to. The ribbon menu is simplified to reflect the capabilities of the app. The colour, font options, size and major editing commands are all present and everything works as you would expect. To access more menu commands, you use the edit icon – this brings up a panel with more options should you need them.
Excel has the familiar interface. I was concerned about the accuracy of the touch interface given how small cells can be but I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. As for PowerPoint, the mobile version doesn’t disappoint. There are the usual templates and themes to create slideshows as well as the most common editing options. You can even draw freehand if your fingers are steady enough on a small screen.
Microsoft Office Mobile is a great productivity app for those who want to be productive while on the move. The ability to use multiple cloud storage services to save work is a bonus, as is the smoothness of each app. While there are a few small rendering issues with very small screens, Microsoft Office Mobile offers a very credible user experience.
Jesmond Darmanin is a technology enthusiast who has his own blog at www.itnewsblog.com.