Is there a smooth transition between Word to Pages?

strawboss1 wrote:

I currently use Microsoft 365 mainly for Word, Excel, some Powerpoint. I think I would like to use Apple pages, Keynote and Numbers and drop the Microsoft 365. It seems a shame to have good software (Apple) that I don't use and continue to use Microsoft because I know the product and most people I deal with use Office. And it can get expensive

Concerns: 1) Will I be able to read and edit Word, Excell and Powerpoint documents with the Apple software.

Apple's applications are not clones of their Microsoft counterparts and will attempt to open and translate the Word content into Pages native (.pages) document format. The Microsoft document remains unopened and unchanged and one cannot edit this original MS Document. One must then export the .pages content to MS Word .docx which is also a translation. Apple does not guarantee this translation process for accuracy or success.

2) Will Microsoft users be able to able to read and perhaps edit my Apple documents.

No. Only Apple's applications can open their own document formats and sharing exported Microsoft document formats from Pages (remember translation) may not appear the same when opened in Microsoft software again.

3) Is the quality of the Apple suite on par with Microsoft.

No. Apple intentionally designed its Pages, Numbers, and Keynote software for pro/sumers and not for professionals who may require MS Office software for its advanced business features anb native document sharing functionality between work groups.

Provided you are currently on macOS Monterey, Ventura, or Sonoma, you can get Microsoft Office 2021 for Mac home and business (non-subscription) for around $30USD from StackSocial. I did, not only for macOS, but a copy for Windows 11 Pro too.

strawboss1 wrote:

Concerns: 1) Will I be able to read and edit Word, Excell and Powerpoint documents with the Apple software.

Yes. Apple's Pages, Numbers ad Keynote can open and edit Word, Excel and Powerpoint files. conversion may not be 100% at all times in cases where very specific MS features are used, but should work for the most part.

2) Will Microsoft users be able to able to read and perhaps edit my Apple documents.

No. You will need to export the Apple documents as Microsoft formats from the Apple apps. The apple Apps can do this from the File Menu directly.

3) Is the quality of the Apple suite on par with Microsoft.

For most things yes. For some things it may be better.

strawboss1 wrote:

most people I deal with use Office.

Then you will probably yourself a lot of time and trouble by using Office yourself and avoiding the glitches which often occur when the different formats are converted into each other. Users who find the cost of Office burdensome can try using the free LibreOffice clone instead.

Using StackSocial, I purchased Office 2021 for Mac Home and Business and Office Professional Plus 2021 for Windows 11 Pro — two licenses for around $34USD each. There are two entries in my Microsoft account for these purchases.

Even SoftMaker's Office 2024 for Mac is half expensive than the Microsoft pricing for a single-purchase price of Office 2021.