Kingsoft Office 4.1

There are a number of office suites available for the Android platform, just as there are for iOS. Despite the diminutive size of the apps, many of these suites have surprisingly large price tags attached to them – but this is not something that can be said about Kingsoft Office. While the app was originally released as paid software, after gaining something of a following, the manufacturers decided that it was time to make the app available free of charge.

As you would expect from any office suite, Kingsoft Office includes a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation tool, all of which are compatible with popular desktop office programs – including the most recent versions of Microsoft Office files. As well as enabling you to create and edit documents, each of the apps also includes a reader mode that can be used to simply open existing files in full screen mode to make the best possible use of space.

Whether you are using the app on the smaller screen of a mobile phone, or a larger tablet device, the well-designed interface makes it easy to use, and even entering lengthy passages of text can be achieved in relative comfort. The app integrates neatly into the Android OS, and makes it easy to work with files that have been emailed to you. You can easily open files attachment, read through contents, make changes or adjustments as necessary and then save as a completely new file.

You have the option of saving files locally, but there is also support for cloud storage. There is also support for a number of somewhat more advanced options that you do not find in other Android office suites including support for encrypted files, the ability to work with documents that have headers, footers and comments, and the option of not only using an external keyboard for faster typing, but also laser pointers when playing back a presentation.

Although the app is available free of charge, there is little to distinguish this office suite from the paid-for competition; a valuable download.