This article explains how to set up Microsoft Office for iPad so that you can use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on your tablet.

What to Know

  • Download the Microsoft Office 365 app, or download individual applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).From the Home screen, choose Recommended files or tap the plus (+) sign.On the Home screen, tap Actions icon to scan and convert documents to PDFs.

How to Install Microsoft Office for iPad

Download Microsoft Office as a single entity, but you also have the option to download individual applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and more as separate programs. Here’s how to install the Office all-in-one application on iPad.

  • In the App Store, search for Microsoft Office and download the Microsoft Office 365 app. Tap Get to download and install the app.
  • Once it’s finished downloading and installing, tap Open.
  • You’ll be prompted to log into your Microsoft account (if you don’t have one, create one) and you may have to grant some permissions to the Office app. Be sure to read those so you know what you’re granting.

How to Use Microsoft Office for iPad

The Microsoft Office app offers a few benefits to iPad users:

In the App Store, search for Microsoft Office and download the Microsoft Office 365 app. Tap Get to download and install the app.

Once it’s finished downloading and installing, tap Open.

You’ll be prompted to log into your Microsoft account (if you don’t have one, create one) and you may have to grant some permissions to the Office app. Be sure to read those so you know what you’re granting.

  • It takes up less space than the three stand-alone apps that are covered in the Office app.There are a few additional features you probably won’t find in the stand-alone apps.Diction straight to Microsoft Office from the iPad Voice Recorder is possible.

Assuming you intend to use the all-in-one Microsoft Office app on your iPad (rather than the individual programs), there are a few things you need to know to use them.

The Microsoft Office Home Screen

From the Home screen, you have the option to choose Recommended files, which are files you have opened recently, or tap the New icon (the plus sign) in the lower center of the screen to choose the type of new document you would like to create.

The options are:

  • Notes: Let’s you type a new note (Sticky Note), which you can then save or share with others.Lens: Opens the camera to scan (or take a picture) of a document, photo, or whiteboard which you can then save as a Word document, PDF file, or image and share it with others.Documents: Opens a screen that allows you to choose from Scan text, Blank document, or Create from template for Word, Excel, or Powerpoint.

There is also an Actions icon on the Home screen. This is where you’ll find options such as Transfer Files, Image To Text, and Image To Table. The latter two options allow you to scan an image or document and convert any text in that scan to electronic text.

Another very useful feature of the Office app is the ability to work with PDF files. Sign or scan PDFs, and convert documents to PDFs using the Actions menu.

Working With Documents, Spreadsheets, and Presentations

Once you choose to open or create a new document, spreadsheet, or presentation, you’ll find that you have many of the same options you would have if you were using the stand-alone versions of these apps.

Documents

When working with documents you’ll find your formatting menus as you would expect. And the menu slides to the right or left to reveal additional options. There is also a large microphone icon that floats on the right side of the document. Tap it to dictate what you want to write rather than trying to type using the onscreen keyboard.

Spreadsheets

In spreadsheets, you’ll move around a workbook or sheet as you would using Microsoft Excel. Also type your data using the onscreen or wireless keyboard. And you’ll find context menus when you select a column or row.

The Apple keyboard and mouse will work with all these apps if they are available to you. If not, you can accomplish anything you want to do using finger gestures and the onscreen keyboard.

You also have access to shorting, formatting, and formula tools, just as you would in the individual Microsoft Excel app.

Presentations

Working with Presentation in the Office app for iOS is very similar to working with PowerPoint. You can choose to work from scratch or create a presentation from a template. And you have access to the same formatting tools that are available in the stand-alone PowerPoint app. You’re able to add Notes and Comments, and even automate your presentation.

The Top Menu in Microsoft Office on the iPad

There’s one last menu you should become familiar with. It’s the menu that appears at the top of each of the apps—Documents, Spreadsheets, and Presentation. This menu is mostly standard across all three apps. You’ll find options there for:

  • Undo: Let’s you undo the actions you’ve taken on the document.Text formatting: Opens a broad range of text formatting options including fonts, size, formats, spacing, and alignment.Search: Performs a Search or Search and Replace function.Share: Allows you to invite others to collaborate on the document using a link sent through email or messaging.More: This menu contains options for saving, printing, exporting, and history.

On a document, you’ll also find that you have a Mobile View option. This lets you see how your document will appear on a mobile device. And on a presentation, tap the pen icon to activate Ink annotations.

  • Can I get Microsoft Office for free on my iPad?
  • If you don’t have a registered subscription, you have the option to sign up for a free trial of Microsoft Office. After the trial, however, you must pay to continue using Office.
  • How do I copy Microsoft Office files to my iPad?
  • To copy Microsoft Office files to your iPad, go to the OneDrive website and drag your documents to OneDrive. When you open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on the iPad, your files will be waiting for you.

If you don’t have a registered subscription, you have the option to sign up for a free trial of Microsoft Office. After the trial, however, you must pay to continue using Office.

To copy Microsoft Office files to your iPad, go to the OneDrive website and drag your documents to OneDrive. When you open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on the iPad, your files will be waiting for you.

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