Limitations
Known limitations compared to Microsoft Office:
Please note: this applies to version 5
Write
Not imported
Text boxes with mixed text/images
WordArt - In Ability, WriteFX is similar
Sections - imports multiple sections as a single section
Many Word fields - including mergeformat, table of contents, index entires, cross-references
Style sheets - imports relevent text/paragraph attributes instead
Page backgrounds and water marks
Macros - language in Ability, VBScript is similar to Microsofts VBA but object model is very different
OLE Objects - Import as images only
Password protected documents - Passwords must be removed before Ability can open the file
Document features and formatting not suported Cannot be imported or recreated in Ability
Some border styles - For example, double paragraph/table borders, 3D border styles
Text rotations
Text highlights - Shading/background color is a paragraph property in Ability
Table cells larger than page/split across page - Maximum size of a cell in a table in Ability is one page.
Advanced fills - For example, gradient fill in text box background
Collaberation & Revision tracking
Text language property
Character kerning and spacing
Font effects - E.g. Flashing text, dotted underline text, text animations
Widow and orphan control
Not Exported
Ability fields - (a field in Ability is like a spreadsheet cell, no equivalent in Word) - exports results only
WriteFX - (similar to MS WordArt) - exports as image only
Headers/Footers - Can't export different headers/footers for first, odd, even pages
Macros
Database
Cannot import/export to/from MS Access
Forms - Must be recreated in Ability on import (or Access on export). Both Ability and Access forms can be specified in single mdb - each applications forms are hidden to the other.
Reports - Must be recreated in Ability on import (or Access on export). Both Ability and Access reports can be specified in single mdb - each applications reports are hidden to the other.
Macros / Modules - language in Ability, VBScript is similar to Microsofts VBA but object model is very different
Data Access Pages - No such feature in Ability
Access accdb - Microsoft Office 2007 and later uses a format Ability cannot import
Presentation
Cannot import or create
Custom animations
Movies
Sound
Text effects - E.g. Text shadow - can be recreated using WriteFX
Slide Show settings
Cannot import
WordArt - Can be recreated using WriteFX
Macros - language in Ability, VBScript is similar to Microsofts VBA but object model is very different
Charts - Import/export as OLE objects
Document features and formatting not suported
Vertical text alignment in Autoshapes
Multiple masters - Including Title master
Spreadsheet
Import
Not all functions supported
Not all custom chart types supported
Pivot Tables
OLE objects as pictures
WordArt - Can be recreated using WriteFX
Filters
Conditional formats
Styles
Macros - language in Ability, VBScript is similar to Microsofts VBA but object model is very different
Custom Views
Password protected spreadsheets - Passwords must be removed before Ability can open the file
Formatting not supported
Text rotations
RTF text in cell - No font change within cells supported by Ability
Some custom numeric formats
Not Exported
Macros
WriteFX
