iOS Tutorial: Get to grips with Pages on the iPad

Pages is not like most word processors – it combines the most used features in an interface that includes very few icons. Getting to know the app is easy, but it helps to understand where the main functions reside to get you started, and doing so will open up the power within. Despite the sparse interface it is packed with formatting options and some tricks that make previously tiresome manoeuvres a thing of the past. For example, you can move an embedded image around an article and the words will automatically reposition themselves around it and the included templates are completely customisable. Not all specific needs are catered for, such as word count, but Apple has done a good job of defining the most used functions that people need, and being able to share your creations without touching a desktop is another advantage. You can even decide which format to save these documents in. In this step-by-step guide we will be showing you how to get started with Pages and get creating straight away. As we stated earlier, this is not a standard word processor, but it may well become the one you use more than any other.

1: Grab the app
Search for ‘Pages’ in iTunes and purchase and install as normal. £5.99
may seem expensive for an iTunes app, but it is in fact very good value
for a word processor with so many features.

2: Have a look around
Pages is so obviously visual in the way it is designed that you could just
have a wander around the icons and start typing, but the best place to
start is the pre-loaded user manual.

3: Create your first document
In the first screen tap the ‘+’ at the bottom and then tap ‘New document’.
This will bring up a screen with a choice of templates. You can choose
anything from a blank page through to a party invite.

4: Test the options
Type a few words and then check the formatting options at the top. Select
words by tapping and holding then use the icons to format the text. Click
on the ‘i’ for further options such as text colour.

5: Delve deeper
Other options include a document setup wizard and a quick tap of the
picture icon lets you insert an image. Drag an image anywhere in the
document and the text will automatically reposition around it.

6: Share your work
You never need to save your work because Pages does it automatically
whenever a change is made, but you can export your document to PDF,
Pages or Word format and send by email.