Opening a Shared Pages Doc

Question

Level 2

331 points

Opening a Shared Pages Doc

I'm attempting to use the "collaboration" feature of Pages with my assistant. I create the doc and invite her to collaborate. She accepts the invite and follows the link, which opens the doc in iCloud on Safari.

Unfortunately, the web app version of Pages is lacking features and has somewhat different interface, so not only can she not do everything I need her to, but I can't even accurately describe how to do the things she can do.

I thought we sacrificed the features and elegant utility of Pages'09 specifically so documents and apps would be consistent across all platforms, but whatever, I guess.

Anyway, no problem- she should be able to open the doc in the Pages app on her Mac, right? Right?!?! But I can't for the life of me figure out how, and while Apple describes the sender's end of sharing repeatedly, they haven't bothered to explain at all how the recipient can deal with a shared file other than "follow the link".

Can anyone tell me how to share Pages & Numbers docs so two people can collaborate on them simultaneously, and ideally with version or change tracking?

Thanks.

24" iMac 2010

Posted on Aug 24, 2017 10:00 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,412 points

Aug 25, 2017 5:20 PM in response to enteecee

Once the collaborated document is opened by your assistant in Pages for iCloud, saved, and then closed, the document should be in the Pages folder on iCloud Drive. One must confirm that the Mac is signed into iCloud in the System Preferences : iCloud panel, and that under iCloud Drive : Options... Pages is selected.

With the collaborated document in the iCloud Drive : Pages folder, it should now be editable by Pages for Mac v6.2, by opening the file chooser, and selecting iCloud Drive : Pages folder from the Favorites panel.

I only have one machine here running macOS 10.12.6, and Pages v6.2, so I cannot test this. It is discussed in this Apple document. Apple now states that one needs Pages v6.2 for collaboration, as apparently, it was in beta since Pages v6.0.

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Answer 2

enteecee Author

Level 2

331 points

Aug 25, 2017 1:03 AM in response to VikingOSX

I have - several times. It's possible that I'm missing it, but I haven't found anything addressing the issue from the recipient's end. As far as I can see, it's all written for and about the sender.

Can you point me to where it explains how an invitee opens the shared doc on their own machine using the full app - not the web app on iCloud?

I'll be glad to feel like an unobservant dolt if it's there.

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Answer 3

Aug 25, 2017 7:54 AM in response to enteecee

I should think your assistant would be able to download the document to her computer (File > Save As... from the browser interface), so as to do the editing with the Mac OS version of the app. I wonder if the ability or permission to collaborate would transfer along with the document. Worth testing, probably.

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Answer 4

Aug 25, 2017 11:54 AM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks, Viking — that's an informative support doc. It seems to suggest that the shared document might open directly in the Pages app, if all the stars are properly aligned:

The document opens based on the following:

On a Mac: The document opens in Pages for Mac or in Pages for iCloud, depending on whether iCloud is set up on your Mac and you’re signed in; where you clicked the link (for example, in Mail on your Mac or on a webpage); and whether you have macOS 10.12 or later and Pages 6.2 or later installed on your computer.

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Answer 5

enteecee Author

Level 2

331 points

Aug 25, 2017 5:23 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks- I'll try that next week... I don't think she'd appreciate a call at 8:30 on Friday night.

I'll check back in to confirm whether it worked. I can see the logic, but it seems pretty hacky in execution. We'll see.

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Answer 6

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,412 points

Aug 24, 2017 6:43 PM in response to enteecee

Give this Apple article HT206181, About Collaboration for Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, a thorough read.

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Answer 7

enteecee Author

Level 2

331 points

Aug 25, 2017 7:53 AM in response to richard grant

I tested that and the collaboration link is indeed severed. Pages then treats each copy as separate documents, which does make sense.

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