Apple updates iWork for iOS and macOS with a variety of new features

Apple’s suite of productivity apps, which include Pages, Keynote, and Numbers, has been updated this week with a slate of new features and additions.

In each case, Apple has updated each app for both iOS and macOS, with only a few subtle differences to each. Still, while the changelogs can be pretty long, these are still minor updates in the grand scheme of things, so there might not be any major new features added to the mix that may bring you back to the iWork fold.

Still, if you do use any of Apple’s first-party productivity apps, there is quite a bit to like here.

So, first, Pages for macOS, which bumps things up to version 8.1:

•Style your text by filling it with gradients or images, or by applying new outline styles.

•Create links from text to other pages in a page layout document.

•Copy and paste pages or sections between documents.

•Place images, shapes, and equations inline in text boxes so they move with text.

•Using face detection, subjects in photos are intelligently positioned in placeholders and objects.

•Reapply a master page so text and media placeholders return to their default style and position.

•Create books using new templates for novels (available in English only).

Next, Pages for iOS, which is now at version 5.1:

•Style your text by filling it with gradients or images, or by applying new outline styles.

•Customize lists by choosing from new bullet types, changing the size and color of bullets, creating custom bullets, adjusting indentation levels, and more.

•Choose Learn Spelling to add a word to the spelling dictionary.

•Create links from text to other pages in a page layout document.

Keynote for macOS is now at version 9.1 with this latest update. Here’s the changelog:

•Edit master slides while collaborating on a presentation.

•Style your text by filling it with gradients or images, or by applying new outline styles.

•Place images, shapes, and equations inline in text boxes so they move with text.

•Using face detection, subjects in photos are intelligently positioned in placeholders and objects.

And Keynote for iOS is now updated to version 5.1 as well:

•Edit master slides while collaborating on a presentation.

•Place images, shapes, and equations inline in text boxes so they move with text.

•Style your text by filling it with gradients or images, or by applying new outline styles.

•Use new chart editing capabilities to change the style of individual series, adjust spacing between columns, add trendlines, and more.

Finally, Numbers for macOS, which is now on version 6.1:

• Greatly improved accuracy using the enhanced 128-bit calculation engine.

• Style your text by filling it with gradients or images, or by applying new outline styles.

• Create links from text to other sheets in a spreadsheet.

• Place images, shapes, and equations inline in text boxes so they move with text.

• Using face detection, subjects in photos are intelligently positioned in placeholders and objects.

• Improved performance while editing and sorting tables.

• Add rows to filtered tables.

Numbers for iOS is now at version 5.1 as well:

• Greatly improved accuracy using the enhanced 128-bit calculation engine.

• Style your text by filling it with gradients or images, or by applying new outline styles.

• Create links from text to other sheets in a spreadsheet.

• Add rows to filtered tables.

• Use new chart editing capabilities to change the style of individual series, adjust spacing between columns, add trendlines, and more.

• Adjust the appearance of cell borders in tables.

• Place images, shapes, and equations inline in text boxes so they move with text.

• Using face detection, subjects in photos are intelligently positioned in placeholders and objects.

• Choose whether Apple Pencil is used to start drawing or to select and scroll — or toggle between these options via double-tap using a supported Apple Pencil.

• Customize lists by choosing from new bullet types, changing the size and color of bullets, creating custom bullets, adjusting indentation levels, and more.

• Choose Learn Spelling to add a word to the spelling dictionary.

Do you rely on third-party productivity apps, or is iWork your go-to?