Microsoft has implemented several new options in Office for iPad

Apr 30, 2014 06:27 GMT  ·  By

Office for iPad was launched exactly 33 days ago and Microsoft is already launching the first important update that enables Apple tablet users to print documents and use SmartGuides in PowerPoint.

Basically, the free version of Office for iPad is more or less just a document viewer because it does not include editing features, which are only available for paying customers who purchase an Office 365 subscription.

Starting today, Office for iPad users can also print documents even if they do not have an Office 365 subscription, which should clearly come in handy whenever you're trying to print a specific file on the go. Simply use the AirPrint printer connected to your iPad, as no other configuration settings are needed.

Microsoft says that this was one of the most-requested features in Office for iPad, as the majority of users who installed the productivity suite on their Apple tablets were looking into ways to print their documents without the need for deploying a different third-party tool.

“Your top request is here! You can now print Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations to an AirPrint printer. In Word for iPad, you can choose to print a document with or without markup. In Excel, print a selected range, a single worksheet or an entire spreadsheet. Of course, you can select the pages or slides you want to print,” Microsoft says.

At the same time, SmartGuies are now available in PowerPoint, giving you more control over the objects included in your presentation and helping you align them easier in a slide.

“SmartGuides in PowerPoint help you align pictures, shapes, and textboxes as you move them around on a slide. With very little effort, your presentations will look beautifully designed,” the company also noted.

Excel has also been improved with AutoFit, an option that enables iPad users to adjust the width of multiple rows or the height of several columns at the same time and thus make spreadsheets look better.

Of course, bug fixes and feature improvements are also part of the package, so all those who have previously installed Office for iPad are recommended to get the new version as soon as possible.

Office for iPad is offered free of charge to all those using an Apple tablet running iOS 7 or later, but for editing capabilities you'll have to purchase an Office 365 subscription that costs only a few bucks per month.