Pages is the worst Application known to man

[Spacetime Anomaly]

I actually like Pages and use it often. My only problem is that the file format is locked down, so I have to export to another format if I want any kind of compatability. Not a major issue, but not a draw either. Sometimes I think it might be easier to just bite the bullet and purchase a standalone version of Office.

Numbers suffers from the same problem. It's fun to use but the compatability sucks.

 

[sananda]

I'm getting used to the new version, but a year on from making the move on my laptop (2018 MacBook Air, the old version) I still prefer '09, which I still have on my desktop (Early 2009 Mac Mini, running El Capitan, thus cannot run the latest iterations of MacOS and some apps).

I have this Mac mini and my problem with Pages is that documents made in 7.3 and newer do not open on it (it's on Pages 5.6.2) even though the com.apple.iWork.Pages.plist for Pages 7.3 (and all subsequent versions) say under "OSXSharingInfo" the minimum application version required is Pages 5.6.

 

[Micky Do]

I have this Mac mini and my problem with Pages is that documents made in 7.3 and newer do not open on it (it's on Pages 5.6.2) even though the com.apple.iWork.Pages.plist for Pages 7.3 (and all subsequent versions) say under "OSXSharingInfo" the minimum application version required is Pages 5.6.

I have come to like the newer version of Pages, installed on my MacBook Air.

But I prefer using the larger display hooked up to my 2009 Mac Mini. I seldom use the Air at present; I just don’t like using the poky little display of a laptop.

And yes, I do find it annoying, and wrong, that the newer versions of Pages are not backwardly compatible with older versions. Seems we are being punished for using “obsolete” Macs that cannot be updated to the latest OS, and with that the most recent version of Mac Apps.

Problem will be solved for me when I upgrade from the 12 year-old Mini to the M1 iMac sooner or later, but it should not have to be that way.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I prefer Pages to Word.

 

[Madhatter32]

I too felt a little put off using Pages and Numbers when I first came from Microsoft Office. Now I am totally acclimated and comfortable using both programs. I think people have to get used to it but the functionality, for the most part, is very good. I think you need to have an open mind and be willing to traverse the learning curve a little but you will most likely be happy with it in the end.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Hopefully people can still navigate other options in this space.

I could absolutely see Modern Apple nuking the whole iWork thing.

It's really a vestige from a different time and direction for the company.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Hopefully people can still navigate other options in this space.

I could absolutely see Modern Apple nuking the whole iWork thing.

It's really a vestige from a different time and direction for the company.

I hope Apple doesn't nuke those apps.

 

[sracer]

I hope Apple doesn't nuke those apps.

Me too. But if Apple were to do that, it will simply make it easier and speedier for me to complete my departure from Appleland. I heavily rely on the iWork suite. If I'm forced to go to LibreOffice/MS Office then I'll use them on platforms that run those apps better... which is not Mac OS.

 

[317342]

No sooner would we see iWork desktop apps for Windows rather than outright discontinuing it/them.

 

[turbineseaplane]

No sooner would we see iWork desktop apps for Windows rather than outright discontinuing it/them.

?

Apple are definitely not making anything for Windows at this point.

They are barely making any desktop software at all anymore - even for macOS - that isn't default system installed stuff w/ server backends (Photos, Notes, Messages, Music)

 

[0128672]

?

Apple are definitely not making anything for Windows at this point.

They are barely making any desktop software at all anymore - even for macOS - that isn't default system installed stuff w/ server backends (Photos, Notes, Messages, Music)

Apple does update iCloud for Windows. As for Pages, iMovie, Numbers, Keynote, Garageband, regular updates are released. There was one last week, and one a couple days ago for iMovie.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Apple does update iCloud for Windows.

Yes - that's part of the server backend thing I mentioned.

It will be interesting to see how much longer they carry iCloud on Windows forward (assuming they end up fully moving away from Bootcamp). I hope it's a LONG time (as I use it daily)

For all those other apps, I was specifically only talking about iWork (Pages/Numbers/Keynote)

All I'm saying is that the current Apple could nuke that suite (iWork) and I wouldn't be surprised a bit.

I'm not predicting it will happen or anything -- just that I wouldn't be even remotely surprised if they did at some point given how their focus keeps moving.

Word processing, Spreadsheets and Presentations are all categories where they could very easily say "let third parties handle it" at some point. It would be very on brand for current/modern Apple.

 

[chscag]

As long as I do not need to maintain compatibility with others, I will continue to use Pages. In my opinion, there is not another word processor/layout program for free that is as good as Pages.

I've spent loads of my $$ over the years buying MS Office (Windows, and Mac) and while it may be the de facto standard, it still is bloated and strictly controlled by MS which now is pushing their subscription model.

 

[turbineseaplane]

MS Office (Windows, and Mac) and while it may be the de facto standard, it still is bloated and strictly controlled by MS which now is pushing their subscription model.

I'm sure glad Apple isn't showing any signs of doing things like that now and/or moving forward!

Luckily they aren't trying to expand services and grow subscription revenues!
/s

 

[Huw Price]

Press Alt on the File menu and you'll have an option for Save As.

Many thanks for this tip. I've had the same problem & looked for a workaround.

 

[400]

Sort of stopped using Office, no longer need it and licence will be an issue at some point soon and finding Pages very good for home use. My iMac is crashing a lot at the mo, (awaiting new one) and one document was part edited, thought I had lost the lot but seems it must be beaming itself to iCloud as auto backup on the fly? (mentioned here I think) Reopened, all the new edits were there.
Usually find I get all antsy when something doesn't work with Apple, go off searching and find the answer is so simple I am kicking myself.

Edit. Just tried that Alt option mentioned earlier, there we go, amazing. Dint realise how many versions of that document there were.
Edit. Oh hang on, was that already there? heck, shows how much notice I take.

 

[Dc2006ster]

Many thanks for this tip. I've had the same problem & looked for a workaround.

Check post #14 on page 1. Jan Robinson shows how to make Save As... part of the File Menu without having to use the Alt key.

 

[tomekwsrod]

Is there anything like that to highlight text in a chosen color ie. yellow? I often use this feature and clicking through all the menus is so tedious.

 

[Thirio2]

I do use Pages and Numbers on my Mac, and this is the first time I heard about how to find save as. I still use MS Office products when I need to do something more than just basic spreadsheet functions. Office is more robust than Works and more intuitive to use. At least they don’t hide the save as function. I guess you get what you pay for.

 

[Solve4X]

I just lost a days worth of work because of this utter crap and I can't get it back.

I too stay away from Pages. In addition, I use Dropbox to ensure that crashes and software failure cannot cause me to lose work. In this case, if your document had been in Dropbox, you could have simply viewed the Version History and restored the last usable version. This is definitely worth paying for.

Although I have heard that iCloud Drive/Sync is getting more reliable, I simply do not trust Apple to get syncing right. They have failed to do so in the past. Even when it works, there is no signaling or notifications to confirm that it is working. And, in my limited use of it, syncing has not been reliable at all.

 

[R.T.J.]

Strongly disagree. A user choosing not to learn how to use an application does not make the application bad. I love Pages and it's been my go-to word processing & graphic design app for a decade. The Instant Alpha implementation is genius. I made virtually everything on this site with Pages and it never let me down.

LOL looks like crap.

 

[Airch]

I’m coming into this blind but to me using pages, numbers, google docs, is like cutting a normal steak with a fork. Why? The whole-ish universe uses a knife, or in this case Office. I’m all for using the best solutions. To me Macs are great and MacOS is still pretty great but that doesn’t mean everything is great because it’s apple. Productivity/business titles…..Microsoft all day everyday.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I’m coming into this blind but to me using pages, numbers, google docs, is like cutting a normal steak with a fork. Why? The whole-ish universe uses a knife, or in this case Office. I’m all for using the best solutions. To me Macs are great and MacOS is still pretty great but that doesn’t mean everything is great because it’s apple. Productivity/business titles…..Microsoft all day everyday.

There is nothing wrong with cutting a very tender and juicy steak with a fork.

If Apple Office apps work for someone like me, why pay a sub for Microsoft? When I get sent Excel files from the corporate trouser types, I can still view it in Numbers.

 

[AZhappyjack]

There is nothing wrong with cutting a very tender and juicy steak with a fork.

If Apple Office apps work for someone like me, why pay a sub for Microsoft? When I get sent Excel files from the corporate trouser types, I can still view it in Numbers.

Indeed. One can play a complete round of golf with only a putter, given sufficient time. But I agree, use the tool that best fits your needs - and cost can be money, effort, learning curve or, at times, convenience.

 

[chscag]

To me Macs are great and MacOS is still pretty great but that doesn’t mean everything is great because it’s apple. Productivity/business titles…..Microsoft all day everyday.

No one said it was, however, as noted if you do not need to maintain compatibility with other users, Pages is a great choice. If you and others prefer MS Office, that's okay. I also use MS Office where it's needed. I even have a copy of MS Office for Windows.