How to Use Word & Excel on an iPhone
The Internet connectivity and touch-screen ease of the iPhone has made it a popular business communications tool. The iPhone also enables users to access Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel files through a few different means. The ability to view and manipulate Microsoft Word files and Excel spreadsheets on the iPhone can save time, increase productivity and implement on-the-go collaboration for businesses and students alike.
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Things You'll Need
- iPhone
- iPhone USB connector cable
- iTunes
- Credit card enabled Apple Store account
- Licensed versions of Microsoft Word and Excel
- Microsoft Word or Excel files
- Ethernet or wireless Internet connection
Instructions
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Ensure your iPhone software is current. Verify that you are using the latest version of iTunes. Double click on the iTunes icon on your computer desktop to launch iTunes. Select the "Devices" from the left navigation menu in iTunes and click on the name of your iPhone. Connect your iPhone to your desktop or laptop computer using the USB cable provided with your iPhone purchase. Click on the ensuing Summary tab and check the "Check for Update." iTunes will prompt you to update your software if necessary.
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2
Send the desired Microsoft Word or Excel files to yourself as an email attachment. Touch the "Mail" icon on your iPhone to begin your e-mail download. Find the email message with your Microsoft Excel or Word file attached and tap it to open the e-mail. Scroll to the bottom of the email by dragging your finger in a downward motion, where your file will be displayed.
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3
Get a larger view of the Microsoft Excel or Word file by turning your iPhone to a horizontal orientation for wider view. Pinch your first and second fingers together at the center of your iPhone display and separate them to enlarge your view.
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Edit your Microsoft Excel or Word files by accessing iTunes App Store. Purchase any Excel or Word editing applications you like from the iTunes App Store. Click "iTunes Store" on the left navigation bar in iTunes and select "App Store." Type "Excel" or "Microsoft Word" in the search field and hit your Enter key to return results for appropriate iPhone applications. Purchase the applications you desire and connect your iPhone to install the applications for use.
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Purchase and use web-based applications (also known as "Web Apps"). Select a web-based application from the Apple website such as Mariner Calc for Excel editing alone or Quickoffice for Word and Excel editing (see Resources below).
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Tap the Safari shortcut on your iPhone to access the website for the web application you have chosen. Type in the URL of your web application and log in to the website in question. Click the plus-sign at the bottom of your Safari browser and tap "Add Bookmark" for quick access to your saved files in the future.
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Tips & Warnings
If you wish to edit your Microsoft Excel or Word files, you will need to purchase or use a free web application, as the iPhone does not support Word or Excel editing directly. You do not need a web application in order to merely view Word or Excel files, as the iPhone supports Microsoft file viewing.
