Apple's iWork update brings password-protected shared documents and more

Apple  released a number of updates to its iWorks applications across all platforms including OS X, iOS and iCloud on the web, reports 9to5Mac. The iCloud version of the apps now has an iOS 7-like design, even when using it on the desktop. With the update, Apple has added a number of tools that will help professionals use iWork even more freely, thanks to enhanced security.

According to the report, Apple's update includes the ability to add passwords and share password protected documents, spreadsheets, or presentations for Pages, Numbers and Keynote apps. Other updates to the apps include ability to view a list of documents, spreadsheets, or presentations that others have recently shared with you from a clock icon at the top of each app. New keyboard shortcuts and editing features such as rich formatting of text in table cells have also been incorporated.

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For professional users the password protection feature is likely to be a big plus. According to TechCrunch, "password protection for shared documents is a big step, especially among people who want to use iWork as a serious professional tool for sharing documents and presentations with clients with a degree of assurance that only the desired audience will be able to view them." Other changes include new transitions and display options for Keynote, landscape viewing and editing of spreadsheets in Numbers on iOS, and keyboard shortcuts for object manipulation in iWork for iCloud beta programme.