(Last edited March 2, 2008)

Don’t let the fact that it’s taken me up to now to discuss and list Documents To Go as an essential application to mean that it isn’t as essential as, say, Datebk5 which is listed as number 1. As long as the application is in the Essential app list, it’s what I consider “essential” so the order or numbering isn’t relevant.

I purchased my Zire 71 mainly because I wanted to have the capability to store, view and manipulate Microsoft Word and Excel files on a small, portable device. Apparently, (not sure if it’s still true) Docs To Go worked much better with Microsoft Word and Excel files than Win Mobile’s (Pocket Word and Excel). Now, with the latest version 8 of Docs To Go, the program actually opens the documents natively, without any conversion, so I’m sure that it works even better.

My copy of Docs To Go (version 5 standard) came included in a special Back To School Zire 71 package bundle which includes the Zire 71, Student 4.0, Docs To Go, and many other student related software and games. And I’ve been very happy with my purchase.

Documents To Go is a program that can allow you to open up a Microsoft Word or Excel document, manipulate and edit its contents, and have its changes reflected not only in the Palm, but also in the copy in Windows that can be opened in Microsoft Word or Excel. This is quite a revolutionary program, which allows direct editing of the popular Microsoft documents either in Palm or in Windows and have the changes reflected in both copies. For example, you can work on a document at the office computer, synchronize it with the Palm at work, open it up in the Palm while commutting and make changes to it, synchronize it with your home computer and add additional changes to it, synchronize it again with the Palm and bring everything with you back to the work computer the next day. By synchronizing the Palm with the computer, any changes detected in either copy will be reflected in both. The best thing about it is that you have the full document in the device, ready to be edited, updated at anytime. It becomes your portable office, so to speak.

There are two main components of Documents To Go: a windows component and a Palm component. The Windows component is responsible for opening the document in Windows, converting (in the older versions) to a Palm optimized format and having it ready for Hotsync and synchronization, detecting any changes made in either copy and making the necessary updates. The Palm component is responsible for opening the converted format file, saving any changes made.

The standard Documents To Go version offers the ability to edit and manipulate Word and Excel documents. The Professional edition has the added ability to create and edit PowerPoint documents. The Premium edition offers charting, pictures, pdf, spell checker, password protection. The Total office edition offers Outlook synchronization capabilities as well as Access DB support. For more information, check out the Dataviz Documents To Go page.

Even in the standard edition of Sheet To Go (Excel), a lot of the features like the functions (AVERAGE, ABS, etc), sum, etc are supported, just like in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. And in Word To Go (Word), many of the formatting styles are supported, although you may have to install and load the extra fonts.

I have not upgraded my Documents To Go to the current version because I’m quite satisfied with what I have. The program offers me what I want, without adding extra bulk. With each newer version or release, the program size gets bigger, taking up more RAM. I didn’t want to get a bigger program for the sake of more features so I’m stuck with an older version that works fine for what I need.

Here’s a link from Dataviz that shows a list of upgrades for each version of Docs To Go so that you can easily view all the extra features that’s been added in each newer version.

Dataviz Tech Tool to move Docs To Go to the SD card and free up RAM

I think the program over the years has gotten much larger in size compared to version and as such, Dataviz has created a tool that allows you to transfer parts of the Docs To Go program to the expanion memory SD card rather than requiring it to be installed in RAM, which now, looks like it can take quite a few Megabytes of storage. It’s called Dataviz Tech Tool. This program will allow you to transfer various files and programs that usually are installed in RAM to be placed on the SD card so that it frees up RAM memory. This is a great tool. This is (as far as I know) the only way to transfer parts of Docs To Go over to the card and still be able to run Docs To Go without any problems. Using PowerRun won’t work on Docs To Go.

Software registration has its benefits

Once you have purchased your copy of Docs To Go, either via online purchase or if it came with your Palm purchase, a great idea is to register your copy of it. Simply go over to dataviz.com and register your copy of Docs To Go, providing your name, address, email address and the registration number on the packaging of your Docs To Go CD. Why? Two reasons.

First, having a registered version allows you to be registered as an owner of a specific version of Docs To Go. If for whatever reason, you lose your CD or registration id numbers (provided you did register with them previously), you can easily retrieve both the id numbers and download a copy of the exact same copy. This can save you a lot of money and hassles. Also, being a registered user gives you access to their technical and customer support. So, if you are experiencing problems, you can contact them regarding it.

Second, being registered can have the added benefit of being added to the email mailing list, so that you can be notified of any new updates or upgrades as well as potentially getting freebies. Also, recently during the past Christmas season, Dataviz has personally provided an email with a special personalized link that provides you with a choice of a free copy of one of their selected programs ranging from PDA Playground, SmartList To Go, Passwords Lite, etc. So, being registered does have its benefits.

I use Sheet To Go mostly as a database and spreadsheet. I love being able to use it to create my own database for comparison shopping, shopping list, packing list, etc. And unlike preset database programs, I am not limited by the number of fields, or entries I want. I can easily customize it the way I want. Unfortunately, it will look somewhat boring as it is a spreadsheet, but it works. And I’m someone who loves practicality over style so it doesn’t bother me.

These simulations are taken from my personal copy of the Docs To Go version 5 program. The conversion process will no longer occur with the newest version 8 since the program opens the MS Word and Excel documents natively but I’m quite sure that the general program itself on the Palm should be very similar with maybe more menus. I’m not sure.

Simulations of Documents To Go

Alternative Flash links: Image Shack, MyFileHut

The simulation will play through to the end unless I’ve inserted a pop up note to explain specific points.

To continue playing the simulation, press the button.
To go back to a previous paused segment, click on the button.
To pause the simulation at any time, press the button. To continue after it’s paused, press the button again.

To scroll forward or backward in the simulation, click anywhere on the left (to go back earlier in the simulation), or right (to go forward in the simulation) on the progress bar.

This simulation will demonstrate how to navigate around the Sheets To Go application as well as providing some examples of creating a spreadsheet in the program.

Alternative links: Image Shack, MyFileHut

This simulation will demonstrate how to navigate around the Word To Go application using simple examples of formatting.

Alternative Flash links: Image Shack, MyFileHut

This simulation will demonstrate how the Windows portion of the older version 5 Documents To Go looked like and shows an overview of the menus and options. With version 8, there may be still be a Windows component but there will not be any conversion utility as the program reads the documents in its native form.

Server Busy pop up message

From time to time, Docs to Go isn’t without problems. Sometimes, I when doing a Hotsync at which Documents to Go will do any conversions, and synchronize the files between the Palm and Windows, I’ll get a pop up window that says “Server Busy. This action cannot be completed because the other program is busy. Choose “Switch To” to activate the busy program and correct the problem.”

So, what I do is click on the “Switch To” button in this pop up window. I may have to keep clicking quite a number of times before eventually, things will get working (which can be frustrating). Otherwise, if you click on any of the other buttons, your Docs to Go sync will fail. Somewhat annoying but at least it still works. I’m not sure if it’s a Windows problem or a Docs To Go problem.

Here’s a link regarding this from Dataviz

Soft reset when opening Docs To Go

I have not experienced this but this was brought up in one of the Palm forums so I thought I’d provide the link from Dataviz regarding this if anyone experiences this problem. Click this link for possible solutions to this problem.

Dataviz Tech Support Page

For other errors, you may want to do a search for possible answers and solutions. Here’s the link to the Dataviz Tech Support page

EDIT May 21, 2006. Ever since I purchased a Treo 650 in late March and tried to install the latest Docs To Go in the computer, I found out that it will update my Docs To Go on my Zire 71 and then I won’t be able to run it anymore as it isn’t supported. So, I’m stuck with having only one Docs To Go. I am still thinking about alternatives and whether I want to have Docs To Go on the Treo or the Zire. Anyone with suggestions please leave a comment or two. Thanks!

Alternative Office Programs

There are many other office programs that are offered from various sources. Some range from providing an entire package of office program similar to Docs To Go which offers word processing and spreadsheet support. Some, also includes support for MS Word and Excel very much like Docs To Go.

For a package of office programs, here’s a list of them:

QuickOffice Premier	MobiSystems Office Std	MobiSystems Office Pro
Mini Office	MobiPocket Office Companion Pro	MobiPocket Office Companion

For individual spreadsheet programs, here’s some:

TinySheet	Free Grid (freeware)	Addition4Palm
MiniCalc	QuickSheet	SmartSheet

For word processing programs, here’s a few:

WordSmith	Quick Word	TealDoc Plus	MiniWrite

As I’ve mentioned already, I purchased my Palm for the reason of being able to carry Microsoft Excel documents with me and I use it often for a variety of reasons, mainly as lists. I find that this is an essential program that I rely on daily and it works so well.

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