James_C
macrumors 68030
There already is, it is called the open document format and is supported in all of the MS Office Apps. Unfortunately not many people use it.
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Why do some continue using Microsoft Office on Mac?
- Thread starter Benz63amg
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There already is, it is called the open document format and is supported in all of the MS Office Apps. Unfortunately not many people use it.
MacBH928
macrumors G3
I heard but I also heard its not used because its lacking in features or reliability something like that. Apple suite does not open it. I tried.
Didn't we have this talk already in this post me and you? I feel like Groundhog Day
Because it's universal, and many businesses and educational institutions use the Microsoft Office suite. In fact, my college offers a free Microsoft Office 365 subscription to students, and I found it pretty handy, especially the OneDrive feature for storing copies of my documents for schoolwork and such. Plus, said college also offered classes in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and they are typically a requirement for most degrees. Going for an Associate's in Computer Information: User Support, I had to take those, along with a business data entry course that utilized Microsoft Access. Most of these classes, in the computer labs we took them I could start the files in the Windows versions on their Dell PCs, and finish up the files and any other homework on the Mac version of Office on my Mac Mini! When following the assignment instructions in a textbook or whatever, it was usually easy to follow along in the Mac versions, though sometimes I'd need to look something up to see how the Mac equivalent would work. (Though for the class using Microsoft Access I'd use the Dell PC I set up in my room alongside my Mini for running Windows programs to do so, along with there being a few features in the other apps that required me to use the Windows versions too; there are advantages to me being a cross-platform user!)
Also, me and my family have used Office for such a long time, since we're primarily a Windows family (and even though I'm the only Mac user in the family I still like to use Windows for certain purposes), and I like the aforementioned universal appeal of Microsoft Office. Since I graduated, I subscribed to one of the more affordable Office 365 plans, one that pretty much lets me only use Word, Excel and PowerPoint, because I find those to be the only Word apps I'll really need to use in my life (and even then, it's mostly just Word that I use!)
Also, me and my family have used Office for such a long time, since we're primarily a Windows family (and even though I'm the only Mac user in the family I still like to use Windows for certain purposes), and I like the aforementioned universal appeal of Microsoft Office. Since I graduated, I subscribed to one of the more affordable Office 365 plans, one that pretty much lets me only use Word, Excel and PowerPoint, because I find those to be the only Word apps I'll really need to use in my life (and even then, it's mostly just Word that I use!)
DJLC
macrumors 6502a
Show me an alternative that can mail merge from a spreadsheet, and I'll gladly switch over! I occasionally need to make things like certificates, mailing labels, letters, etc. in bulk as a mail merge from a spreadsheet. Pages used to do it, but not in many years. The Google Suite just plain can't — sure, you can cobble together things with add-ons, but it's nowhere near as simple as it is in Word / Excel. Literally the only feature I've yet to see successfully reproduced in any modern alternative.
Pages, Numbers, etc are complete rubbish. If I used anything else apart from Microsoft Office I'd just stick to Google Docs, which has amazing collaboration tools and can be used in any computer and any OS.
I tried Numbers once, it didn't have basic things such as graphs with several data sources. And Pages cannot do cross referencing of captions, doesn't have a proper citation tool, etc.
I tried Numbers once, it didn't have basic things such as graphs with several data sources. And Pages cannot do cross referencing of captions, doesn't have a proper citation tool, etc.
Mousse
macrumors 601
The only reason I keep using Office is because of Excel. I like to eliminate human error as much as possible in a spreadsheet; that means as little data entry as necessary. I have created a lot of spreadsheets heavily laden with macros and formulas. Redoing all that AND bug hunting afterwards? Ain't happening. I ain't going through another Lotus 1-2-3 to Excel transition again if I can help it.
I use Microsoft Office because my work uses it, I don't have to pay for it, and it's massively better than the current incarnation of Apple's suite.
I grew up on ClarisWorks/AppleWorks and later used iWork. Pages and Numbers were never all that great, but they used to be much better than they are now before Apple kneecapped them to iOS levels like they've done with so much else.
I grew up on ClarisWorks/AppleWorks and later used iWork. Pages and Numbers were never all that great, but they used to be much better than they are now before Apple kneecapped them to iOS levels like they've done with so much else.
The-Real-Deal82
macrumors P6
MacBH928
macrumors G3
I have recently been using Pages and Numbers lightly and found it to do most of the things I want and even better than Word. Formatting a page to your liking seems better but I have not used MS Word for a very long time. GUI is easier to use and understand.
For free and free icloud storage and the integration, there is very little for the common folk to pay for MS Office.
For free and free icloud storage and the integration, there is very little for the common folk to pay for MS Office.
AZhappyjack
Suspended
Perhaps... but Numbers is a horrid "replacement" for Excel. Period. End of Discussion.
Madhatter32
macrumors 68000
panzer06
Contributor
Definitely not usable with complex formulas and pivot tables. Also, it's a no-go if you must share files with Excel users. For all but the most basic sheets, we found Numbers to be insufficient.
Madhatter32
macrumors 68000
It's not a problem for most people doing complex calculations/analysis. But sure, for analyzing large sets of database-like spreadsheets, a pivot table is very helpful. That is why Excel is a useful corporate tool. But for individuals users, even those who do complex professional work, that is not the use case. But if you work in a large organization that compiles and manages lots of data, then I can see why you think Excel is better -- and you would be correct. But to say its a "horrid" replacement (like the prior post I responded to) is silly. If you don't need to use pivot tables, then Numbers suffices for 90% of spreadsheet users.
AZhappyjack
Suspended
In the world of software tools, Numbers is simply a toy. Just my opinion.
It isn't clear to me whether people realize that Numbers actually has pivot tables.
panzer06
Contributor
Agreed for the most part. Our company is 80% Windows, and while Mac users dabble with Numbers, it's just not feasible for the exact reasons you mention. The back and forth between the two programs just isn't as consistent as using Excel across the organization.
For personal use, I know many people who use it just fine.
monokakata
macrumors 68020
I'll chime in about Pages. I do book design using Adobe InDesign. Several weeks ago an author sent a manuscript that she had exported from Pages as allegedly a Word doc. It was unusable -- InDesign couldn't import it properly. Finally I asked for the Pages file and exported from it into an RTF file. Then I imported the RTF file into Word, and InDesign was able to import that Word file. Some formatting was lost, and reworking it was tedious.
During the rest of the production phase, I always need to exchange Word docs with the author, in which we discuss changes/correction -- the file goes back and forth, being saved with a new name each time. Again, Pages was hopeless with exporting the Word doc, so we just shifted to exchanging Pages docs...what a mess.
I'm sure Pages is well-suited to someone working alone. But for collaborative work, especially if it involves other industry-standard formats, it's just useless.
During the rest of the production phase, I always need to exchange Word docs with the author, in which we discuss changes/correction -- the file goes back and forth, being saved with a new name each time. Again, Pages was hopeless with exporting the Word doc, so we just shifted to exchanging Pages docs...what a mess.
I'm sure Pages is well-suited to someone working alone. But for collaborative work, especially if it involves other industry-standard formats, it's just useless.
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MacBH928
macrumors G3
It has pivot tables. Its obviously not for corporate use though. I don't think that was the aim ever. plus isn't it better to have it in a DB instead of a spreadsheet if you want to use something like pivot tables?
Speaking of which, do corporates really use excel for huge data set? including pivot tables? Like do banks have all their customer info in a one excel sheet?
I always imagined they have a more sophisticated software from Oracle or something. if Numbers is not good enough for corporate use, what are Apple using?!
yeah back and forth between the two apps does not work, I do not think any B&F between any two apps work (unless its markdown). Its not for corporate use very obviously
when dealing with a file you should always use the same app to work on it
phrehdd
Contributor
Simple reason for me - I have university courses. They like docx files. I could probably do it in Pages or LibreOffice but alas, some templates provided to students don't work well with Pages and others.
I don't have any preference for a WP or spreadsheet as I don't use fancy macros etc.
I don't have any preference for a WP or spreadsheet as I don't use fancy macros etc.
The-Real-Deal82
macrumors P6
Office 365 is used on multiple platforms because there is nothing better than it currently on the market. The pandemic was the absolute making of Microsoft Teams for example, and Microsoft developed their suite fast and effectively. Until another company comes along and delivers something better, it will be the first choice in business and leisure for the foreseeable future.
monokakata
macrumors 68020
I'll be sure to tell my publisher clients that I'll be handing them a book designed using Pages instead of InDesign. They'll love hearing that! I'll be telling them they won't be getting the PDF/X-1a:2001 file they require, either.
I really don't know what you're going on about. I had to import the material given to me in a Pages file into an industry-standard app that can neither import from Pages nor from a Word doc exported by pages. And you're trying to give me a hard time for having found a work-around?
Pinkyyy 💜🍎
macrumors 6502
I switched from Windows to Mac about 3 months ago and was pretty used to MS Office apps. But since you have to pay for them on Mac, I decided to try the iWork apps (I know the MS Office apps are technically not free, but you can use them for free on Windows if they're pre-installed).
And well, for the most part they're just good enough for me, they're free, simple and can do most things the MS Office apps can do. But there are a quite few things I didn't like about them. Sometimes when I try to open a PowerPoint file in Keynote for example, the font becomes messed up for some reason, and the same thing happens too when I try to convert Keynote files to pptx. files.
So I think they're just not a perfect choice if you're working with Windows users, or in another case if your work uses MS Office apps, you'll just have to use them. So basically the iWork apps are just a free alternative for the MS Office apps if you don't wanna pay for them, kinda like LibreOffice.
And well, for the most part they're just good enough for me, they're free, simple and can do most things the MS Office apps can do. But there are a quite few things I didn't like about them. Sometimes when I try to open a PowerPoint file in Keynote for example, the font becomes messed up for some reason, and the same thing happens too when I try to convert Keynote files to pptx. files.
So I think they're just not a perfect choice if you're working with Windows users, or in another case if your work uses MS Office apps, you'll just have to use them. So basically the iWork apps are just a free alternative for the MS Office apps if you don't wanna pay for them, kinda like LibreOffice.
Euroamerican
macrumors 6502a
If I had to use/create spreadsheets and documents these days for work, I'd probably try to stick with the web versions of Microsoft Office. I want to avoid an MS 365 (formerly Office 365) subscription at all costs. I don't want to give MS any more of my money. Done with that...
On my Mac these days, I use Pages for casual document work, correspondence, etc.
I thought about getting certified in Apple Pages and Numbers support, but I have lost my taste for that in the same way I lost my taste for Apple Server. De-contenting Pages and Numbers through "upgrades" the way they did Apple Server really was the deal breaker.
On my Mac these days, I use Pages for casual document work, correspondence, etc.
I thought about getting certified in Apple Pages and Numbers support, but I have lost my taste for that in the same way I lost my taste for Apple Server. De-contenting Pages and Numbers through "upgrades" the way they did Apple Server really was the deal breaker.
I switched from PC to Mac in 2012. Prior to that, we had been Office-only users. After switching to Mac, I decided to try the Apple Suite and found them to be simpler and more intuitive than office.
I do presentations and had found that outlining a talk in MS Word was a confusing mess. Much simpler in Pages. Styles are easier to create and use. In our publishing business, we use Pages for all our word processing. For us, it imports and exports to Word seamlessly. However, for placing in InDesign, we don't import the files, we simply Select All, Copy, and paste into a text box. We do all our formatting in InDesign.
I have always found Keynote to be preferable to PowerPoint. Again, simpler and more intuitive.
We also use Numbers, but not for anything heavy. I export a spreadsheet with addresses to Excel every issue for our mailing house to import. No complaints from them. However, I would expect to use Excel if we were crunching big datasets.
I do presentations and had found that outlining a talk in MS Word was a confusing mess. Much simpler in Pages. Styles are easier to create and use. In our publishing business, we use Pages for all our word processing. For us, it imports and exports to Word seamlessly. However, for placing in InDesign, we don't import the files, we simply Select All, Copy, and paste into a text box. We do all our formatting in InDesign.
I have always found Keynote to be preferable to PowerPoint. Again, simpler and more intuitive.
We also use Numbers, but not for anything heavy. I export a spreadsheet with addresses to Excel every issue for our mailing house to import. No complaints from them. However, I would expect to use Excel if we were crunching big datasets.
MacMan2013
macrumors regular
My Macbook has Office for Mac 2011, which I still use because it works fine. But in general I've always found some aspects of Microsoft programs slow and clunky, the faster and more natural way of carrying out tasks on a Mac is one of the things that won me over. I've put Pages on my IPad which should work fine for my needs (the dictation works pretty well also) and I doubt I'd pay for Office on any new devices.