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PhilANZ

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#183756 29-Oct-2015 08:28
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I've yet to be convinced I need a tablet - but my wife not has an S2. I've realised it would be much easier (than printouts) to take a couple of small openoffice spreadsheets on that on my visits to the hospital. Had a quick look but quickly got confused and hoped someone might be able to explain what my options are and if there is any solution that offers advantages over others?

Thanks

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timmmay
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  #1415929 29-Oct-2015 09:15
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Google Sheets. Links with Google Drive so you can edit on your full sized computer and mostly view on the phone. You can of course edit on the phone if you like, but it's more difficult on the little touch keyboards.



gzt

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  #1415935 29-Oct-2015 09:19
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If you are using printouts I guess view only is ok.

Libre Office has a free viewer available for Android. That should be compatible.

For fun you could try them on Google Drive. The viewer there should be mostly compatible if the sheets are simple data only.

Dingbatt
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  #1415938 29-Oct-2015 09:22
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New Samsungs come with Excel, Word and Powerpoint don't they? If you are more familiar with Excel than Open Office that may be an advantage.




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Jaxson
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  #1415943 29-Oct-2015 09:29
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Google doc/drive, collaborative speadsheets etc

PhilANZ

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  #1415960 29-Oct-2015 09:36
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As usual I have omitted an important fact. We don't have internet access - just WIFI for downloading apps, etc. And I suppose I could revert to Excel - but I HATE it (not particularly fond of OpenOffice either because it's basically copied the worst features of Excel but at least it doesn't seem to change file formats as often) - and it has to be bought - I don't like to give any more money than necessary to MS.

timmmay
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  #1415964 29-Oct-2015 09:40
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If you can download apps using Wifi, where to the apps come from if you don't have Internet access? I'm confused. Your phone should have Internet access, you can use Google sheets directly on the phone. You can share the phone's internet connection with a computer that has WiFi.

gzt

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  #1415971 29-Oct-2015 09:48
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Yep. Try LibreOffice viewer.

Btw LibreOffice is long ahead of Open Office. You may want to look into moving that way.

 
 
 

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nathan
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  #1415974 29-Oct-2015 09:49
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Excel Mobile is free.  But you hate it so don't use it I guess.

PhilANZ

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  #1415983 29-Oct-2015 10:08
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Our phones don't have data on them - we don't have the money to spend on data. We use WIFI to download apps, and to test our websites on mobiles.

So we'll look at Libre Office and also mobile Excel.

Thanks for the help.

Jaxson
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  #1415992 29-Oct-2015 10:23
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PhilANZ: Our phones don't have data on them - we don't have the money to spend on data. We use WIFI to download apps, and to test our websites on mobiles.

So we'll look at Libre Office and also mobile Excel.

Thanks for the help.


Data is fairly cheap these days, so you might want to consider that long term.  What you're really asking for here is localised apps that can view a spreadsheet somehow transferred to the phone.

knoydart
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  #1416012 29-Oct-2015 10:26
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Not sure what version of Android an S2 runs but I've used WPS office on an S5. It views most excel features and allows basic editing / formatting if you want. It also integrates with some of the cloud based storage solutions so you can sync documents in real time. 

timmmay
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  #1416040 29-Oct-2015 11:21
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PhilANZ: Our phones don't have data on them - we don't have the money to spend on data. We use WIFI to download apps, and to test our websites on mobiles.

So we'll look at Libre Office and also mobile Excel.

Thanks for the help.


I'm still confused. Where do you get WiFi from? Public WiFi? If you have WiFi at home that's internet access.

PhilANZ

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  #1416056 29-Oct-2015 11:54
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I have WIFI at home - where I'll transfer the file - but I want to give the tablet (with two spreadsheets) to the specialist at the hospital where don't have access to WIFI.

timmmay
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  #1416075 29-Oct-2015 12:39
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Ah ok. With Google Sheets/Docs on your phone you just tap and hold on it when you're at home, choose "make available offline", and it will work whether you have coverage or not. Changes on each device will sync between them, so if you mark it as available offline, update it on the computer, when your phone has an internet connection it will update the spreadsheet. If you change it on two devices without a sync in between not sure what will happen, it may work well or it may get ugly.

PhilANZ

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  #1416090 29-Oct-2015 13:05
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Well that's good to know - still haven't adapted to stuff being on-line - my web host tries to move me on but I still use POP rather than IMAP for my email accounts.

I used to be more up with the play but a stroke and other health challenges (largely ended by my wife giving me a kidney last year) have meant I've basically been in hibernation for the last decade. It was hard enough having to give up OS/2 and use only Windoze (finally made tolerable with W7). Phones and tablets have been a battle for me - although finally have a phone with good reception (we live 2km from the CBD of a 122k "city" but under a hill) AND it's easier to use for a klutz like me.

Thanks for your time - every little bit of info helps.

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