Will this work on a Xoom

Compressor · June 14th, 2011, 09:03 PM

Hi.

I'm in the market for a Tablet, the Xoom is at the top of my list, & am having trouble finding out what they are capable of. I'm hoping I can run & access my Business Database on one.

For a Database I simply use MS Excel & Windows Explorer Folders.

I've created my Database on an Excel spreadsheet, the file is stored in my Database's parent directory /Database Folder

My spreadsheet contains multiple rows & columns of information but most importantly one cell in each row contains a hyper-link which references a sub-folder within the main /Database folder. This sub-folder contains all of my contract scans, pictures & other info.

The Database is currently about 8gb & it would be OK if it ran off of an SD card.

So... Can this work?

Do the Android tablets store information in a system like Windows Explorer?
Is there a C: Drive, & when you insert an SD Card does it obtain a Drive Letter?
Will they run an actual .xls file?

Thank You for Taking the time. I will appreciate any assistance I can get on this.

3devious · June 15th, 2011, 06:17 PM

The android office apps are pretty pathetic. If you had some way of using a remote desktop to a real computer, you might be able to get something significant done with excel or something, but these apps are OK for opening and editing simple office documents. The conversion isn't reliable for complex documents and I really don't have faith that it will preserve large documents, either. You can open a .xls file but make sure to keep it pretty simple. Not all of Microsoft's latest bells and whistles are supported.

The stock XOOM does not support the SD card and the rooted versions are not 100% reliable for using external storage but you can work with a file system in the manner that you're accustomed to as you asked.

The XOOM isn't really ready for primetime yet, but there isn't anything better right now. All of the mobile devices work with office documents the same way, so it doesn't really matter which you get. I don't know anything about iWork for the iPad, but if you want perfect office support, you need a device running or emulating Windows or at least running office.