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IPAD: file transfer Word, Excel, PDF, to and from PC / Mac!

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jmdr69 Posted messages 19 Status Member -  
 Veritas -
Hello,

I am clueless regarding the IPAD.!
I would like to buy one (IPAD AIR) provided that I can use my client files (word Excel Pdf). I thought I could use a USB stick but .... no USB on the Ipad.! I was even told that at Apple, USB sticks are outdated! Anyway... I didn't insist ...!
I would like to use software or a personal wifi network setup.... but no messaging or Itunes or any other Cloud...!

Subsidy question but important, can I easily work with my files on the Ipad as apparently there is no word excel ...etc

Every time I asked for explanations on this type of file transfer word excel pdf, the answers have been very, very vague... not clear at all .... so:
Is there a specialist who can shed light on my situation?!!

Thank you a thousand times in advance
jmdr

<possible config>Windows Vista / Win 7 or Mac book air to Ipad ....

5 answers

  1.
    MoodZy Posted messages 1163 Status Member 857
     
    Hello,

    First of all, to transfer files to your iPad (or iPhone by the way), the easiest way is to use the cloud (wait before you jump on me, I've read your question). Let’s take an example, Dropbox (there are others like Google Drive, Box.Net...) as soon as it's installed on your computer and phone, you just need to copy the desired file into the Dropbox folder and (as long as the application is running on your computer) it will quickly be accessible on your phone/tablet.

    Now, if you don’t want to use that, there are other techniques (besides email) but they are a bit more cumbersome. In most cases, the alternative method is to use an app like (iFile: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ifile/id495655551 or similar) which will allow you to create a temporary web server that you can access from your computer (via Firefox/Chrome/Internet Explorer) if you are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. (There is also the option to send files via Bluetooth or through iTunes) Once on this page, you can upload your files to your tablet.

    Once your files are on your tablet, the complexity isn’t over, as Apple does not allow native editing of Word/Excel/PPT/... files (unlike Windows Phone for example). Fortunately, the above application lets you view the document (that’s already something) but you need another application to modify it.

    To edit a document, there are several options: Polaris Office, Quickoffice Pro HD, Smart Office 2, Office² HD, etc. Most of them allow you to access your documents directly on Dropbox or elsewhere (which is definitely much simpler). I’m not sure if they let you open documents from the iFile application.

    Additional notes: On iPhone there is an official Office application (https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/office-mobile-for-office-365/id541164041). This allows you to create/edit Word documents and save them (to the cloud) provided you have an Office 365 subscription, but it does not exist (yet) for the tablet.

    Basically, if you really don't want to use the cloud or emails, honestly it’s complicated to read Office documents on iPad. (Not to mention that the cloud is even simpler than USB keys...)

    --
    “There are two kinds of justice:
    You have the lawyer who knows the law well, and the lawyer who knows the judge well.”
    17
    1. Veritas
       
      The cloud is an obsolete version.
      It's only useful in certain cases, but in the other vast majority, it's a burden that's way too heavy to manage, organize, and share documents.

      When will Apple make a Finder on iPad!
      0
  2. jmdr69 Posted messages 19 Status Member 2
     
    MoodZy, a big thank you!! Super!
    Finally, a clear answer without ambiguity.
    How is it that the sellers at Apple are not able to provide this kind of information? The product specialists... what are the regular sellers looking for?
    So now the ball is in my court: I am getting an iPad with the above constraints if I do not use iCloud or iTunes...

    Thanks again and have a good evening.
    1
    1. MoodZy Posted messages 1163 Status Member 857
       
      For the cloud stuff, there are others than Apple's (iCloud), for example: Dropbox, Google Drive, Skydrive, Box.net, etc. which in my opinion work very well with applications that modify Office documents. (just to give an example: Office² HD works with Dropbox, Box.net, Microsoft SkyDrive, Huddle, ShareFile, and WebDAV servers (source: https://itunes.apple.com/be/app/office2-hd/id364361728?mt=8) which makes things much less cumbersome than the technique explained above, now it involves using a cloud...)

      Otherwise, Apple sellers are there to sell their products and not to give a bit more in-depth advice on their capabilities. Ultimately, practical advice is more (according to them) the job of friends/family who recommended the purchase of an iPad tablet.
      0
  3. jmdr69 Posted messages 19 Status Member 2
     
    ... thank you for this additional information ... and for defending the sellers!!
    I have nothing against them, of course, but I still think they should be able (or have a specialist per point of sale) to give accurate information on points that, it is true, do not concern the majority of users .... but .... upon searching the web (including how it works), I realized that there were quite a few questions on this subject, some of which arose for users after purchasing the tablet...!!
    Not very good for the image... I think if the answers were clear from the start, everyone would benefit ... it sincerely feels like there is something being hidden from you...... it's like politics; people are very informed and capable of reflection, hence the reactions of rejection ........
    Thank you Moodzy for your help
    I appreciate it
    0
    1. MoodZy Posted messages 1163 Status Member 857
       
      Thank you, I'm here for that ;-)

      I agree with the sellers (hence the "according to them" in parentheses) but on the other hand, Apple is not obligated to provide such explanations since Office belongs to Microsoft and not Apple (by the way, I'm sure they will advertise their iLife programs if you ask them for help).
      0
  4. jolyjump3r Posted messages 2055 Status Member 621
     
    Upon purchasing your iPad, you are entitled to Apple's official office suite, iWork.

    It is by far the best for work: KEYNOTE aka PowerPoint
    PAGES aka Word
    NUMBERS aka Excel.
    Some tutorials here:
    https://iblogsphere.wordpress.com/category/iwork-pages/

    For access to a computer, you can use applications like:

    FileBrowser
    https://iblogsphere.wordpress.com/2012/10/08/filebrowser-connectez-vous-a-un-ordinateur-ou-disque-a-distance/

    IFiles
    https://iblogsphere.wordpress.com/2014/05/11/ifiles-acces-a-distance-a-un-ordinateur/
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  6. Pierre-Antoine
     
    I know I'm a bit late, and that we've already answered your question, but I wanted to share with you the solution that works for me to import and read PDFs on my iPad: Beesy. It's a little-known all-in-one productivity app that is truly worth it. In addition to importing and reading PDF files on the iPad, Beesy even allows you to annotate comments and notes in the margins of the PDF, which is great!
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