Alfresco iOS read only 'open in'.. 'copy to'.

[onno182]

In de Alfresco app for iOS when I press the "open in" icon to edit a document, the only options I get for pages and word is 'Copy to'.

How can I edit documents through iOS?.

[mikeh]

All files in iOS are sandboxed; in other words they live within the folder structure of a single app. This is also true for files accessed via the Alfresco app.

Apple have attempted to address the "edit document" case in iOS 8 and newer through something called the "Document Provider" which is part of iCloud Drive. The way this works is that you access Alfresco document from the third party app you wish to use as an editor, for example Microsoft Word.

In Microsoft Word, choose "Open", then "More", tap "Locations". If Alfresco is not in the list, choose "More" and enable Alfresco via the toggle switch. Alfresco will then be available as a file source. When you open Word documents this way, Word saves them back directly to Alfresco.

At least that's the theory. In practice we've found the sequence somewhat prone to issues - not just when using Word & Alfresco, but other third party apps. So just be aware you may need to check your changes have saved correctly. We're working with Apple (as I'm sure are other vendors) to make this system more robust.

Thanks,
Mike

[onno182]

Many thanks.

This functionality only partially works.  I am able to browse the repository and open documents, the saving part does however not work properly.  Upon opening it in the word app, word wants to convert it (presumably because the original file is a wrong version).  After making modification and trying to save it, the alfresco respsitory is missing and does not appear in the list.

When comparing with the Dropbox app for instance, it is possible to select "Open in"  rather than "Copy to".  Other apps have a similar functionality.  It seems that this functionality is more stable and works better.

Looking forward to the next version especially with the new iPad pro .

[mikeh]

Yep, you're going to hit problems if Word has to convert the document.

I'm not sure where you're seeing "Open in" rather than "Copy to" with Dropbox? I only get "Copy to" when sending a document from Dropbox to Microsoft Word for example. I do know that Dropbox and Microsoft embed eachother's private SDKs to enable a more seamless integration than iOS would normally allow - this brings functionality into the sandbox and so they don't hit the iCloud Drive problems we're seeing.

Regarding the iPad Pro, there's significant rework to be undertaken before the Alfresco app supports side-by-side, so you'll have to wait a bit longer for that!

Thanks,
Mike

[onno182]

Thanks.

In dropbox, upon clicking a file, there are a set of 4 icons on the lower right.  The third icon is a square with a pencil on.  Upon clicking this you get a popup that says "Open with…"  and then underneath it "Microsoft Word".  The file then opens in word where it is possible to edit and save back to dropbox.

I have not found the above functionality in others apps, presumably because of the private SDK's you mention.

At this moment there is unforutnately no reliable way to edit documents through the iPad. I have also tried adding a sharepoint site directly to the word app.  It logs in fine, but after that does not show any files.  The app is therefore important for getting alfresco to work on the iPad pro.

If I can be of any assistance on testing or anything else I will be more than happy to help.

[mikeh]

If I can be of any assistance on testing or anything else I will be more than happy to help.

That's great to hear. Honestly the most effective way you can do this is by raising any issues you see, or requests for features you'd like to see, in JIRA.

Thanks,
Mike