Beta test of SoftMaker Office 2024

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martin-k
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Beta test of SoftMaker Office 2024

Post by martin-k »

Today we start the beta test of SoftMaker Office 2024 beta test for Windows, Mac and Linux.

Here is a list of the improvements we made to TextMaker, PlanMaker and Presentations:

All programs
  • You can now downsample inserted pictures to a smaller size. This reduces the file size, makes for smaller PDF files and speeds up printing.
  • When exporting PDFs, you can now export pictures at a lower resolution. This makes for more compact PDF files.
  • [Mac] SoftMaker Office for Mac now uses Metal graphics acceleration instead of OpenGL.
  • The new "Autocorrect" feature now automatically corrects common typos in many languages.
  • In the dialog box "New document", there is now an additional list view that simply shows a list of files instead of thumbnails.
  • When pasting from the clipboard, you can choose between keeping the source formatting, applying the target formatting, pasting unformatted and merging the formatting.
  • All programs can now use pictures in WEBP format.
  • Better handling of spell check dictionaries: dictionaries are now downloaded the first time they are used, both those from SoftMaker and from Hunspell.
  • Grouped objects can now be edited more easily.
  • If desired (this can be turned on via the dialog box "Options"), the full document path can now be displayed in the program's title bar.
  • [Mac] Applications now fetch the font list via official operating system functions. As a result, fonts are also found in other folders, and font filtering by programs such as Font Book and Font Menu Cleaner works in SoftMaker Office.
  • [Mac] Cleaned up font list: The new setting "Load only fonts relevant for installed keyboard layouts" hides fonts in the font list that you normally don't need. Example: You don't have a Chinese keyboard layout installed, so you probably don't need Chinese fonts.
  • You can now also directly enter the hex value of a Unicode character in the Insert | Special Characters function.
  • When inserting a hyperlink, a text is automatically suggested.
  • Improved Dark Mode: the sidebars are now also dark.
  • Dark Mode can now turn on and off automatically when your operating system changes to "dark" or "light".
  • In addition to sending documents by e-mail, there is now also a "Share" command that can share the document with Windows apps.
  • When replacing text, "Undo" now undoes each step individually.
  • [Mac] When printing, the Apple print dialog is always used.
  • Documents are now saved in such a way that file attributes such as "Compressed", "Position of the icon on the desktop", "Owner" etc. are preserved.
  • Under Windows 11, the applications have rounded corners, making them fit harmoniously in the operating system.
TextMaker
  • Automatic translation of documents into numerous languages using DeepL.
  • It is now possible to select multiple non-contiguous text areas with the Ctrl key.
  • Synchronous scrolling of two documents side by side for easy document comparison.
  • Use the Finalize function on the File ribbon tab to remove personal information from documents.
  • [Windows] The function "Read aloud" reads documents to you.
  • You can now create TMDX and DOCX documents with embedded fonts. The recipient will then see your documents in the fonts you choose, without having these fonts installed.
  • "Track changes" now optionally shows deletions in the comments area instead of in the document.
  • New view mode "Book layout" that displays the first page of a document on the right in two-page view.
  • Paragraph and character styles can now be filtered by "All styles", "Used styles" and "Styles in document".
  • A UI element for rotating table cells is now available on the "Table" ribbon tab.
  • When exporting EPUB, graphics can now be exported in a lower resolution. This makes for more compact EPUB files.
  • When you display spaces in the document as dots, all Unicode variants of spaces show dots.
  • Numbered lists with leading zeros are now available.
  • The numbering in lists can now be right-aligned.
  • You can now quickly create dummy text by typing =rand() or =lorem().
PlanMaker
  • SQLite databases can now be imported and exported.
  • Sort by colors (cell color and font color).
  • The AutoFilter can now filter by color.
  • When opening CSV files, the order of dates can be specified: DMY, MDY, YMD
  • When opening CSV files, decimal separators and thousands separators different from the system settings can be specified.
  • For charts, the chart title, the axis titles and the data labels can now be fetched dynamically from cells.
  • The text in AutoShapes can now dynamically refer to a cell (right mouse button on the AutoShape, "Link to a cell").
  • On the ribbon tab "Formula" there is a new element that can be used to select the recalculation options conveniently.
  • For pivot tables, sorting can be done based on user-defined lists.
Presentations
  • Notes can now be entered below the slide.
  • New dynamic PowerPoint compatible slide transitions.
  • [Linux, Mac] Playback of sound in presentations
  • [Linux, Mac] Playback of videos in presentations
  • [Linux, Mac] You can now create presentations with embedded fonts. The recipient will then see your presentations in the fonts you choose, without having these fonts installed.
  • A UI element for rotating table cells is now available on the "Table" ribbon tab.
  • In full-screen mode, rulers can now be easily turned on and off.
How to get the beta

The public beta test is implemented as a free 2-month version of SoftMaker Office NX Universal. Please get the download and product key from the SoftMaker Shop:

https://www.softmaker.com/en/softmaker-office-download

If you are already using SoftMaker Office NX, you can simply enter your existing NX product key in the new version. However, since you will still need the downloads, you should complete the free order and then enter your NX key into the software.

If you are already using a permanent version of SoftMaker Office (2021, 2018, etc.), you will definitely need the new product key, which you can get from the store link above.

Your feedback

In general, all bug reports and improvement suggestions should be posted exclusively in one of the beta forums and not emailed to us:

https://forum.softmaker.com/viewforum.php?f=433

If you need to send us confidential documents, we will provide you with a contact email address for this purpose.

We hope enjoy trying out the new SoftMaker Office.
Martin Kotulla
SoftMaker Software GmbH
martin-k
SoftMaker Team
SoftMaker Team
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Re: Beta test of SoftMaker Office 2024

Post by martin-k »

A note for Linux users:

Now the beta of SoftMaker Office NX can also be installed and kept up-to-date via the SoftMaker repository:

https://softmaker.com/en/tips-linux/office-nx

Please review only the page for SoftMaker Office NX, as the beta test is conducted with it. The upcoming permanent license SoftMaker Office 2024 is not available as a beta.
Martin Kotulla
SoftMaker Software GmbH
martin-k
SoftMaker Team
SoftMaker Team
Posts: 3083
Joined: Fri Nov 21, 2003 4:57 pm
Location: Nürnberg, Germany
Contact:

New beta test of SoftMaker Office 2024 with AI-based writing assistant

Post by martin-k »

A new beta version of SoftMaker Office NX for Windows, Mac and Linux, revision 1111, is now available.

This beta will run until June 30, 2023 and offers bug fixes as well as a completely new feature: SmartChat, our AI-based writing assistant that writes and edits texts with the help of ChatGPT.

This is what SmartChat with Artificial Intelligence can do
  • You can select text and have it automatically summarized, either in the same or another language.
  • You can have SmartChat automatically write a text on any topic in any language.
  • You can have SmartChat make suggestions for improving the style and grammar of an existing text.
  • And last but not least, you can communicate directly with ChatGPT.
SoftMaker Office is the first office suite in the world to support your writing with Artificial Intelligence.

Try out the new "SmartChat" feature in the Review tab of the ribbon; you'll be amazed!

How to update
  • Wndows: The software updates automatically within one day. You can also choose ? | Check for updates.
  • Linux: If you have installed SoftMaker Office via the repository, it will update automatically. You can also choose ? | Check for updates.
  • Mac: Download and install https://softmaker.net/down/softmaker-office-nx.pkg
Martin Kotulla
SoftMaker Software GmbH
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