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A great, inexpensive alternative to Microsoft Office with a similar look and feel

A great, inexpensive alternative to Microsoft Office with a similar look and feel

Vote: (13 votes)

Program license: Trial version

Developer: Thinkfree

Version: 2020

Works under: Windows

Also available for Mac

Vote:

Program license

(13 votes)

Trial version

Developer

Version

Thinkfree

2020

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Mac

Pros

  • Familiar user interface for easy transition from MS Office
  • Comprehensive set of tools in word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation applications
  • PDF export function across applications
  • Integration with mobile devices for document management
  • Ideal for professional-quality document creation

Cons

  • Limited support for languages other than English
  • Longer initial load time compared to competitors
  • No option for toolbar customization
  • Not free, unlike other alternatives like OpenOffice

Comprehensive Work Suite: Hancom Office

Hancom Office is a versatile and comprehensive office suite designed to cater to the needs of users seeking an alternative to the mainstream Microsoft Office. It offers a range of tools that closely mirror the capabilities of its more widely used counterpart, including a word processor, a presentation tool, and a spreadsheet application.

User Interface and Experience

Upon launching Hancom Office, users will find a familiar workspace, which undoubtedly appears to take inspiration from the classic Microsoft Office layout. This similarity in design is beneficial for those transitioning from Microsoft's offering as it eases the learning curve, allowing users to quickly adapt to Hancom Office without a steep learning process.

The suite is divided into three primary components:

Hangul Word Processor (HWP) for document creation and editing,

Hancell (Spreadsheet), and

Hanshow (Presentation).

Each application delivers a robust set of features that provide a solid foundation for creating professional-quality documents, data analyses, and presentations.

Functionality and Features

The functionality of Hancom Office is impressive, with each module containing a plethora of tools and capabilities. For instance, the Hangul Word Processor includes various formatting options, styles, and templates comparable to what you’d expect in mainstream word processors.

Hancellor spreadsheets provide a robust environment that is not only feature-rich but also supports complex formulas, pivot tables, and data visualization tools. Users benefit from these familiar features, enabling them to tackle sophisticated data management and analysis tasks with ease.

Hanshow presentations stand out with a wide range of slide design options, transition effects, and multimedia embedding capabilities, that are requisite for creating captivating and professional-looking presentations.

An added advantage of Hancom Office is the PDF export function, which allows users to conveniently convert their documents, spreadsheets, and presentations into PDF format, a feature that can be particularly useful for sharing documents across different platforms and devices.

Device Integration and Language Support

On the topic of cross-platform utility, Hancom Office enhances productivity by facilitating document management on mobile devices running Windows Mobile or Android. This feature is especially valuable for professionals who need to access and edit their documents on the go.

However, while it boasts an English spell checker, Hancom Office seems limited in its support for additional languages, which could be a significant drawback for non-English speakers requiring a comprehensive office suite.

Performance

One potential issue to consider is the initial load time, which users may find somewhat slower compared to other office suites. This delay can hinder those requiring immediate access to their documents. Also, the lack of toolbar customization may frustrate users who prefer a more personalized or streamlined interface.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hancom Office stands as a competent contender in the arena of office suites. Its familiar interface and comprehensive feature set make it a viable option for those comfortable with Microsoft Office but seeking alternatives due to preference or budget constraints. While it may not rival OpenOffice in terms of cost (being a paid software), its capabilities and added functionalities, like PDF export, hold their own merit in the competitive market of office solutions.

Pros

  • Familiar user interface for easy transition from MS Office
  • Comprehensive set of tools in word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation applications
  • PDF export function across applications
  • Integration with mobile devices for document management
  • Ideal for professional-quality document creation

Cons

  • Limited support for languages other than English
  • Longer initial load time compared to competitors
  • No option for toolbar customization
  • Not free, unlike other alternatives like OpenOffice