November 29, 2017 at 14:35ONLYOFFICE Documents for iOS: how the application has changed over the year
We are slowly starting to take stock of this work year, and perhaps we will start with our ONLYOFFICE Documents iOS app . This year it has seriously changed in terms of functionality. It became more independent, thanks to the added ability to work locally, without connecting to the ONLYOFFICE portal. I got together and adapted to iOS 11 and IPhone X. Let's talk
about everything in order.
Here are the features our app had at the start of the reporting period:
Here is what we wanted to do:
By the first big release of 2017, we had rewritten the document management module from scratch, changing Objective-C to Swift. In our opinion, Swift is faster and safer when writing code. In addition, it is actively developed and supported by the community.
We did not regret that we decided on a change: we were able to get rid of outdated code and some of the limitations that the application architecture imposed on adding new functionality, and most importantly, increase the stability of the application.
Initially, ONLYOFFICE Documents was conceived as an additional tool for those users who have the need to work on devices. These are situations familiar to many when you urgently need to fix something in an important document, and only an iPhone is at hand. At best, a tablet.
Over time, they began to realize the existence of demand for an alternative office suite for iOS. We have good functionality, excellent compatibility with Microsoft formats that are in demand all over the world - in general, our application is suitable for all parameters. Or not?
The failure rate was quite high, since to work with the application it was required to have a registered ONLYOFFICE portal. We tried to simplify the life of users as much as possible - to create a portal in a couple of clicks, the more you can use our free solution for storing documents - personal.onlyoffice.com . However, for users, all this turned out to be rather serious obstacles.
To solve this issue, we added the ability to work locally, on the device, without connecting to the corporate portal and not having it at all. Thus, our application has become a completely independent stand-alone office suite for iOS. In addition, this greatly simplifies work in a situation where there is no Internet (sad, of course, but this still happens in 2017).
In addition to editing documents, other local actions appeared - exporting documents, printing, creating folders, etc.
But on the way to the self-sufficiency of the application, we do not forget to download functionality for portal users. The main thing that I wanted to add for them was co-editing. It is it that makes working with online editors so effective.
Now the application is available for co-editing in quick mode. You can share the document with colleagues and simultaneously edit it in real time. In this case, you can work in the application, and your colleague in the web version. Or vice versa. Never mind!
As for building functionality in general, we added the long-awaited ability to edit chart data and fixed errors in working with charts in the table editor.
A new version of Apple’s mobile OS was released in September. In it, the approach to some standard operations was changed, so we needed to adapt the application, which should look good on both the new and previous versions of the system.
In version 2.1, we added compatibility with Slide Over. Now on iPads, you can drag and drop files between applications that are open in Split View mode. For editing documents, this is just a gift - for example, you can add a picture to your text by simply dragging it into the editor window.
In version 2.2, it became possible to work with local files through the new system application “Files”. And support for iPhone X.
This is exactly the direction in which we plan to develop ONLYOFFICE. Accordingly, the mobile application is changing: in addition to the already existing two-factor authentication, we have added the SSO function. Recall that it can be configured using the services of Shibboleth, OneLogin or AD FS.
If you want to learn more about SSO, read the article in our Help Center .
The application also has the ability to work with text documents and spreadsheets that are password protected. This works for both portal documents and documents stored on your device.
It appeared in the latest version. Now you can (and we can) switch between accounts and not enter a password each time. This is very convenient if you have several portals, which, by the way, is a common situation in our company. In addition to our corporate portal, almost everyone has personal for personal purposes (sometimes even more than one) and a couple more test portals for experiments.
In general, the thing is necessary. Here's how it works:
Yes, and by the way, we have detailed and updated documentation on application functionality in the Help Center . The application itself can be downloaded from the App Store , it is free. And your feedback will help us make it better, so we are waiting for your comments, suggestions and wishes.
PS Soon there will be even more editing opportunities on mobile, because now we are working on a presentation editor!
about everything in order.
What can the application do?
Here are the features our app had at the start of the reporting period:
- Editing text documents and spreadsheets;
- View presentations and PDF;
- Convenient toolbar with everything you need for formatting;
- Management of documents stored on ONLYOFFICE portal;
- Export of documents and the ability to print them directly from the application;
- Interface in Russian, English, German and Spanish.
Here is what we wanted to do:
- Improve application stability;
- Reduce installation failures;
- Improving safety is a very important area for ONLYOFFICE as a whole;
- Adapt the app to work with the latest Apple.
Change of language and increase stability
By the first big release of 2017, we had rewritten the document management module from scratch, changing Objective-C to Swift. In our opinion, Swift is faster and safer when writing code. In addition, it is actively developed and supported by the community.
We did not regret that we decided on a change: we were able to get rid of outdated code and some of the limitations that the application architecture imposed on adding new functionality, and most importantly, increase the stability of the application.
Self-sufficiency and local work
Initially, ONLYOFFICE Documents was conceived as an additional tool for those users who have the need to work on devices. These are situations familiar to many when you urgently need to fix something in an important document, and only an iPhone is at hand. At best, a tablet.
Over time, they began to realize the existence of demand for an alternative office suite for iOS. We have good functionality, excellent compatibility with Microsoft formats that are in demand all over the world - in general, our application is suitable for all parameters. Or not?
The failure rate was quite high, since to work with the application it was required to have a registered ONLYOFFICE portal. We tried to simplify the life of users as much as possible - to create a portal in a couple of clicks, the more you can use our free solution for storing documents - personal.onlyoffice.com . However, for users, all this turned out to be rather serious obstacles.
To solve this issue, we added the ability to work locally, on the device, without connecting to the corporate portal and not having it at all. Thus, our application has become a completely independent stand-alone office suite for iOS. In addition, this greatly simplifies work in a situation where there is no Internet (sad, of course, but this still happens in 2017).
In addition to editing documents, other local actions appeared - exporting documents, printing, creating folders, etc.
Collaborative editing appeared in the application
But on the way to the self-sufficiency of the application, we do not forget to download functionality for portal users. The main thing that I wanted to add for them was co-editing. It is it that makes working with online editors so effective.
Now the application is available for co-editing in quick mode. You can share the document with colleagues and simultaneously edit it in real time. In this case, you can work in the application, and your colleague in the web version. Or vice versa. Never mind!
As for building functionality in general, we added the long-awaited ability to edit chart data and fixed errors in working with charts in the table editor.
Support for new iOS 11 features
A new version of Apple’s mobile OS was released in September. In it, the approach to some standard operations was changed, so we needed to adapt the application, which should look good on both the new and previous versions of the system.
In version 2.1, we added compatibility with Slide Over. Now on iPads, you can drag and drop files between applications that are open in Split View mode. For editing documents, this is just a gift - for example, you can add a picture to your text by simply dragging it into the editor window.
In version 2.2, it became possible to work with local files through the new system application “Files”. And support for iPhone X.
Security
This is exactly the direction in which we plan to develop ONLYOFFICE. Accordingly, the mobile application is changing: in addition to the already existing two-factor authentication, we have added the SSO function. Recall that it can be configured using the services of Shibboleth, OneLogin or AD FS.
If you want to learn more about SSO, read the article in our Help Center .
The application also has the ability to work with text documents and spreadsheets that are password protected. This works for both portal documents and documents stored on your device.
Switch between multiple accounts
It appeared in the latest version. Now you can (and we can) switch between accounts and not enter a password each time. This is very convenient if you have several portals, which, by the way, is a common situation in our company. In addition to our corporate portal, almost everyone has personal for personal purposes (sometimes even more than one) and a couple more test portals for experiments.
In general, the thing is necessary. Here's how it works:
Yes, and by the way, we have detailed and updated documentation on application functionality in the Help Center . The application itself can be downloaded from the App Store , it is free. And your feedback will help us make it better, so we are waiting for your comments, suggestions and wishes.
PS Soon there will be even more editing opportunities on mobile, because now we are working on a presentation editor!