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Thu, Aug 14, 2008 13:22 EDT
RIM BlackBerry Tip: Create New Word, Excel, PowerPoint Files in Documents to Go for FREE
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Posted by: Al Sacco in Soapbox Topic: ApplicationsBlog: Mobile WorkHorse
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While experimenting with the Standard Edition of Documents to Go that came along with BlackBerry handheld operating system (OS) v4.5, I discovered a way to create new Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files on my BlackBerry—even though this functionality is supposed to be restricted to the Premium Edition of the software.
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Documents to Go from DataViz is an application that lets users of various smartphones—not just BlackBerrys—view, create and edit documents in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats, though much of the program's full functionality is available only to Premium Edition users.
Business users have long complained about the inability to create and edit documents via BlackBerry. Many other high-end smartphones from companies like Palm have come with software that can create and edit such files for years. But RIM finally addressed the complaints in v4.5 of its BlackBerry OS, which isn't officially available yet, though beta versions for various device models have been bouncing around the Web for months.
The new OS comes with the Standard Edition of Documents to Go, which can be used to edit Word and PowerPoint files, though it doesn't "officially" allow for document creation, advanced character and paragraph formatting, word count, table/list editing or creation in Word, and more.
We can't help you with all that other stuff unless you want to pay the $70 DataViz is charging per license—not yet at least—but Word-file creation is probably the Documents-to-Go feature folks would use most, and we can assist you there.
Trying to create new files in Documents to Go Standard Edition the official way—by clicking your BlackBerry Menu key and selecting New while within the program—will only get you a dialogue box asking if you want to upgrade to the Premium Edition. However, creating new Word or PowerPoint files "unofficially" really couldn't be easier.
Slideshow to Go
Simply send a Word or PowerPoint file to the e-mail address associated with your device—or transfer one to your media card using RIM's Desktop Manager software—and save it. Next, open Documents to Go on your BlackBerry, choose whether you want to open Word to Go or Slideshow to Go, navigate to the file location and open it. From there you should erase all the contents of the document, rename it and save it as something like "New_PowerPoint_Template."
Then whenever you want to create a new file all you need to do is open the blank template, create your file, save it as a new name and you're good to go.
For more on how to upgrade your OS to v4.5 and get Documents to Go Standard Edition, check out CrackBerry.com's BlackBerry OS Upgrade Tutorial.
AS
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Thu, Aug 14, 2008 16:13 EDT
After tinkering some more with Documents to Go, I noticed that if you upgrade the software the method described above will also work to create new Excel spreadsheets.
To upgrade, simply open Documents to Go, click on either Word to Go or Slideshow to Go and then hit your BlackBerry Menu key. You should see an option that says "Check for Updates." Click the option, follow the directions and you're all set. New Word, PowerPoint and Excel files via BlackBerry!
AS
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Fri, Aug 15, 2008 12:00 EDT
Posted by: Anonymous
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This is awesome. I had never thought of doing this. There is still one flaw in this as far as the Slides go. You can still not insert new slides. So the "template" you "Save As" must have the maximum slides you think you may need in the future, cause you cannot add slides to a presentation in the standard version, you can only delete slides. Just know that ahead of time and you will save
You do not have flash or javascript support.
Fri, Aug 15, 2008 14:54 EDT
Hello Anonymous,
That's a good point. I made up 15 blank slides within the slideshow template I created, and because that has been enough for my purposes, I hadn't even tried to create a new slide. You are correct, though, you can only add slides in the Premium Edition of Documents to Go.
Still, you can create as many blank slides in your template as you think you'll need so this shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Thanks for the helpful comment.
AS
You do not have flash or javascript support.
Fri, Aug 15, 2008 16:05 EDT
Posted by: Anonymous
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Good article and good tip! I wonder whether (and how) they'll guard against this in the next release.
Note, though, that 4.5 *is* available. Go to www.blackberry.com, navigate through to the device downloads, and select an appropriate carrier for your device. For example, Orange UK has a released 4.5 build for the 8320, even though TMO doesn't yet. Those builds may not be sanctioned by every carrier, but they'll let you use foreign devices on their networks, and this isn't really any different. BlackBerryForums.com has info on which builds are available for which devices from which carriers.
WW
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Fri, Aug 15, 2008 18:01 EDT
Hi WW,
You're correct, BlackBerry OS 4.5 is indeed available through some carriers. However, it's not officially available from any U.S. carriers, at least that I know of--though it should be soon. I should've been clearer on that, and I appreciate the clarification.
It's also worth noting that though you can install OS 4.5 from Orange U.K. on a BlackBerry Curve 8320 from T-Mobile U.S.A., the software will be far from perfect for that device. There's a reason T-Mobile hasn't officially released 4.5 to its customers: It's still buggy and not quite ready for its BlackBerrys.
I'm currently running OS 4.5.0.75 from Orange on my T-Mobile Curve, and I can attest to this fact. Between memory leaks and apps that don't work quite right, the new build's almost more trouble than it's worth...almost.
Anyway, thanks for the comment.
AS
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About this Blog
Al Sacco writes about (and drools over) anything and everything mobile or wireless as it applies to the global workforce--with a focus on BlackBerry smartphones.
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Follow this blog on Twitter: @MobileWorkHorse.
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