SoftMaker Office 2006

The second part of SoftMaker's Office 2006 suite is PlanMaker 2006, their spreadsheet application.  From a new feature perspective there are fewer in PlanMaker than there are in TextMaker.  However do not let that fool you into thinking that there have not been any changes.  Aside the much needed and noticeable facelift the application has received, the performance of PlanMaker has substantially improved over previous versions.  Loading times are sharply down and working with large, complex spreadsheets does not impact performance as much.  PlanMaker, like the new TextMaker is completely Unicode compliant and has improved import and export filters for Excel spreadsheets.

What sets PlanMaker apart from any of its competitors is the plethora of features and customization that can be done within the application.  Every mathematical, formatting and operational function is included in the product with the only real add-on being the dictionary. Further, almost every aspect of the application can be customized to fit an individual need or preferences.  This includes the layout, where taskbars  are located and the functions on those toolbars.  To go over all of these features in this review would be a challenge so I will only go over some of the key features that set PlanMaker apart from its competitors.  I encourage readers to download a demonstration version of PlanMaker from the SoftMaker website to see all of the functions and features for themselves.

The default display of PlanMaker is very similar to that of Pocket Excel.  Rows and Columns are identified at the left-hand edge and top of the display and each cell is easily identifiable.  In the bottom left-hand side of the display is the menu key which allows access to the multitude of options and features PlanMaker.  From the menu, every feature of PlanMaker is reachable via a submenu.  The menu is easy to navigate and is intuitive in function.  The built-in help is excellent and well written and should be the first place to check for answers to questions.

Figure 10:  The Default Display of PlanMaker

As with most aspects of PlanMaker, the toolbars are customizable to fit the needs of every user.  The default toolbars offer the most common functions to users and for the majority of users will be sufficient.  To modify the toolbars, access them off of the Extras>Customize>Toolbars menu.  From here, users can select which toolbars to display and where to display them on the screen.  To change the functions that are on a toolbar, highlight the toolbar then tap the Edit button.  Adding and removing features now becomes as simple as drag-and-drop.  Simply tap and hold the function you want on the toolbar (tap it and release to read what the feature does) then drag it to the toolbar at the bottom of the display.  As with TextMaker, multiple toolbars can be displayed at the same time in PlanMaker. 

Figure 11:  Toolbars Can Be Customized To Your Needs

When using PlanMaker, or any spreadsheet application, it is often necessary to format cells for particular types of data or in their appearance.  In PlanMaker, this is done off of the Format > Cell… menu.  From this menu, every aspect of a cell can be formatted to the need at hand including number format, borders, shading, and alignment.  Further, cells can be formatted to hide the cell or the formula in that cell as well as being protected (assuming the sheet itself is protected) and unprintable. 

Figure 12:  Cell Formatting is A Snap in PlanMaker

Properties of the spreadsheet workbook itself can also be entered via the File>Properties menu.  This menu allows for summary information page and hyperlink colors to be defined as well as tab widths and visibility of comments to be defined.  Further calculation information can also be defined in this menu, such as iterations, rounding and automatic recalculations.

Figure 13:  File Properties Menu

Additionally, password protection for reading, writing or both can also be setup from this menu.  This is particularly important for spreadsheets that contain sensitive data and is a key feature missing from many of PlanMaker’s competitors.  Further, if users purchase the desktop/Pocket PC bundle of the application, this password protection is kept when transferred from one to the other via ActiveSync. This is a great feature over Excel Mobile which strips out the password protection feature when synchronizing between the desktop and your Windows Mobile device.   

Figure 14:  Password Protection Stays In Place During Synchronization

To insert a chart in PlanMaker is almost identical in nature to the picture insert.  With the spreadsheet open, highlight the data that you want to chart.  Next, tap the menu icon and go to Object > New Chart Frame…. This will present the default display again with a chart icon.  Tap the cell you want to place the chart in and the chart type screen is displayed.  Select the chart type then to data series (which will be pre-populated with the data you highlighted).  You can customize the data here as well as add different series as well. 

Figure 15:  Charts Can Be Put Into PlanMaker Files

While it must be said that the chart wizard in Microsoft Excel is a bit easier to use, the charts in PlanMaker are exceptional and highly customizable.

One of the issues many power users of Mobile Excel face when using the application is the limitations that it has with formulas. Many complex formulas the application simply cannot use and are either rendered null or eliminated from the files when synchronized between your device and desktop.  In PlanMaker, this issue essentially is eliminated.  PlanMaker has the ability to handle 320 different formula types which should cover the vast majority of users.  These formulas, like formatting, password protection and other aspects of your files, are seamlessly synchronized to your desktop.

All-in-all you are going to be hard pressed to find an office suite that matches the power, flexibility and functionality of SoftMaker's Office 2006.  Both TextMaker and PlanMaker stand well clear of their competition and bring out the muscle that is in so many Windows Mobile devices today.  Backup up this application is the great technical support of SoftMaker.  The email-based support is prompt and courteous with replies coming back within 24 hours in my sample support questions sent to them. 

SoftMaker's Office is available in a variety of packages to fit your needs.  You can purchase the Pocket PC only suite from the Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! store for $69.95 or you can purchase just TextMaker or PlanMaker for $49.95 each. 

If you want to purchase the Desktop and Pocket PC version of Office 2006 you will need to purchase it directly from SoftMaker.  You can get more information on their website. 

Clinton Fitch, MVP-Mobile Devices
Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com!