Microsoft Word is one of the best apps for creating and editing documents. Subsequently, changes might be needed in these documents either to eliminate errors or to improve the organization and structure of the text. With your Android devices, you can edit these documents anytime and anywhere without needing a laptop or desktop. So, What apps can enable you to edit any Word document on your Android devices? Find out below.
Part 1: 5 Best Android Apps: Editing Word Documents
When editing Word documents on your Android device, the right apps can help you streamline your work and boost efficiency.
Here are some of the best apps for editing Word documents on Android.
1. WPS Writer
Main features:
WPS Writer is one of the best Android apps for editing Word documents. It is an efficient text tool that can be used to create and modify text documents to look professional and personal.
Some key features of WPS Writer include Word processing, spreadsheet administration, presentation design, PDF converter, cloud file-sharing, and many more.
Additionally, WPS Writer offers over 10,000 business report templates, resume templates, and email templates. Also, Unlike Microsoft Office, WPS Office costs less and comes in a premium version.
Pricing:
WPS Writer is a free desktop or mobile application and a paid cloud-based option for anyone who creates a WPS account or signs in with a WPS-supported external account (like Google or Facebook).
Ads appear within the free package, but I rarely noticed them in my experience with WPS Writer. Also, the free package only allows full access to some features.
You’ll have to upgrade to one or the other of the two paid tiers to enjoy the application and remove all ads entirely.
Template Premium Package ($5.99 per month) - Allows access to a library of premium document templates.
WPS Premium ($18.99 for 6 months) - 50GB of cloud storage, full PDF support, a more comprehensive array of built-in tools for Spreadsheets, and a more extensive library of animations for Presentation.
Trustpilot Rating: 4.8/5 star rating
Pros:
Desktop, mobile, and cloud-based access
Best DOCX option for Linux
Easy to use Ribbon menu
Cons:
Lack of OpenDocument support
PDF support for free users is limited
No real-time co-editing
How to Use WPS Writer to Print Word Documents on Android
Step 1: Use WPS Writer to open the document
Step 2: After opening the document using WPS Writer, Click on the “Print” icon on the menu bar or use Ctrl + P. Then the print menu pops up
Step 3: Select the page range and number of copies you want to print. Then click on “Print”.
2. Microsoft Word
Main Features:
Microsoft Word is one of the most popular and used programs in the Microsoft Office suite. Developed by Microsoft, it is used to create professional-level write-ups, edit and format existing documents, create graphical documents that include images, and more.
The application stands out as one of the best apps for editing Word documents on Android as it offers a wide range of features and tools, such as text formatting, grammar and spell checking, document templates, and layout options. It can also be used to collaborate and access files across multiple devices.
Pricing:
You can install Microsoft Word for Android devices free of charge. However, If you’re using the free apps and want to access the other editing capabilities on an Android device, you must subscribe to an Office 365 subscription.
Microsoft 365 Personal ( $6.99 per month) - Ad-free secure email, 1TB cloud storage, premium features, offline access, and more for one person.
Microsoft 365 Family ( $9.99 per month) - For one to six people, premium features, offline access, up to 6TB cloud storage, and more.
Trustpilot rating: 4.8/5 star rating
Pros:
Offers thousands of document templates
Helps create files of smaller sizes
Mail merge
Ability to markup documents for changes
Cons:
It can be costly
Complex features
Some functions are not always intuitive
Some of its familiar features have been removed
How to Use Microsoft Word to Save a Document for The First Time
Step 1: Open the File Tab and Click on Save as
Step 2: To save the document to your computer, select “This PC” folder or click “Browse” to save the document at another location.
Step 3: Enter a name for your document and Click on Save. It is important to note that Word saves documents in the .docx file format by default. To keep your document in a different form, Click the Save as type list, then select the format you want.
3. Google Docs
Main Features:
Google Docs offers powerful collaboration and document-sharing capabilities. You can link a file and share it with others. You can also keep track of changes made in the document.
The application allows you to create reports, draft joint projects, manage meeting notes, and more.
Users can also access various templates for creating documents, including Resumes, Brochures, proposals, and many more. These and many more make Google Docs a versatile choice among the best Android apps for editing Word documents.
Pricing:
There are three different Google Docs plans available:
Basic ($6 per month) - 30GB cloud storage, Voice conferencing, Sheets spreadsheets, and more.
Business ($12 per month) - All Basic features, Advanced protection program, Audit reports, and more.
Enterprise ($25 per month) - All Business features, 1 TB cloud storage, designated Google advisor, and many more.
Trustpilot rating: 4.7/5 star rating
Pros:
User-friendly and easy to use
Easy sharing and collaboration
Cost friendly
Supports various file formats ( .docx, .ppt, .pdf, etc)
Cons:
Limited features compared to other word-processing software
Limited templates
Requires internet connection
How to Use Google Docs
Step 1: Download the Google Docs app. Open the app and create a new document. Add a title, contents, format fonts or paragraphs, etc.
Step 2: Save your file in any format of your choice
Step 3: You can share files and folders with people and choose whether they can view, edit, or comment on the documents.
4. Smart Office
Main features:
Smart Office is one of the best apps for editing Word documents on Android in terms of content creation, file sharing, and presentation tools. Users can manage tasks and communicate with coworkers efficiently.
You can use it as a PDF viewer, and it is compatible with most popular similar formats (doc files, docx files, xls files, ppt files). You can also use it in the cloud with Google and Dropbox, so you can easily share documents with others or work on your document when your laptop is near.
Pricing:
A Free version is available through the Google Play Store, with an in-app purchase option for premium. Pricing starts from $9.99 per year, which makes Smart Office one of the cheapest options for editing Word documents on Android.
Trustpilot rating: 3.7/5 star rating
Pros:
It integrates with Microsoft
Allows easy retrieval of data
Reliable customer support
Cons:
It’s not user-friendly
Takes time to enter information
How to Edit Text Using Smart Office
Step 1: Open the document you want to Edit
Step 2: Click on "Edit" on the menu bar. You can choose any font, size, color, and more.
5. Polaris Office
Main Features:
Polaris Office document management software is a cloud-based word processor for managing, viewing, saving, storing, editing, and collaborating on files across mobile, desktop, and desktop operating systems.
Users can search and add videos or images from various platforms, including Pexels, Pixabay, and YouTube, to presentation slides, reports, and documents as needed.
Pricing:
A free version is available for mobile and desktop. However, for premium, Polaris Office is offered across various pricing plans, which include:
Polaris Office Smart: $3.99 per month and $39.99 per year
Polaris Office Pro: $5.99 per month and $59.99 per year
Polaris Office Business: $7.99 per month per person and $83.88 per year per person
Polaris Office Mobile (Permanent)- $19.99
Trustpilot rating: 4.4/5 star rating
Pros:
Very user friendly
Able to bring results from any device
It is very cheap
Cons:
Too many ads in the free version
Limited cloud storage
How to Edit Text Using Polaris Office
Step 1: Open the document
Step 2: Click on "Home" on the menu bar. You can choose any font, size, color, and more.
Part 2: What are the differences between the 5 apps?
Some of the key differences between these 5 best apps for editing Word documents on Android include:
User interface: Some apps have a complex interface, while others have a user-friendly one. The most user-friendly application that I've used is Google Docs. The application enables effective sharing and collaboration on all documents, and this helps make my work easier and faster.
Pricing: These apps all have various premium pricing plans, some more expensive than others. The cheapest and most reliable options are Polaris Office and Smart Office.
Features: These apps differ significantly in the features they offer to users. For example, Microsoft Word is better for editing, formatting, and markup. Google Docs is better for online editing, collaboration, and remote work.
FAQs
How do I Change a Word Document from Read Only?
To change the viewing mode of a Word document from Read Only,
Select the Viewing tab to open the options
Select Editing or Reviewing
Why is My Word Document not Showing All the Text?
If your Microsoft Word document does not show all the text, you have most likely applied the “hidden text” attribute to all or part of the document (Ctrl + H). Repeating the process is the way to remove the hidden text attribute.
Summary
Making edits to your Word documents can be done quickly from the comfort of your Android smartphone. You can choose any of the best apps for editing Word documents. However, always choose the correct application according to your needs or budget. Lastly, if you're seeking an efficient application for editing Word documents on Android, WPS Office is an excellent choice. WPS Office offers a comprehensive user interface and a wide variety of templates and tools to make your work easier and faster.
