Task
UX , Research,
Feature parity,
User testing,
Wireframing,
Prototyping
Platform
iPad app,
Web app
Figma, Usertesting, After Effects
Tools
3 months, 2023
Timeline
Rohit-
Product Designer
Sukul, Isha, Cheri -
Product Managers
Nisarg, Gauthami-
Engineering
Team & Role
Shipped
Status
Due to an NDA, I’m unable to share detailed processes and screens. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to learn more about this project.
Enhancing the
Print Experience
The Excel iPad app plays a major role in driving M365 mobile subscriptions, but its renewal rate is lower compared to desktop and web platforms. The aim was to increase product value by enhancing the iPad version of Excel with more advanced features and improved usability to boost subscriber retention. The target audience includes both consumer and commercial users who seek a seamless experience with features like advanced printing, formatting, and complex spreadsheet management.
Overview
Research
Insights were gathered through telemetry data, user feedback, and feature request analysis.
Key gaps identified between iPad and desktop versions, especially in terms of feature availability, leading to user dissatisfaction.
Users are frustrated by the limited functionality on iPad, particularly the absence of print previews, page breaks, and advanced features like Pivot Tables and Conditional Formatting.
Printing reliability is high, but users demand more control over print layouts, similar to the desktop version.
Insights
Users expect Excel on iPad to offer the same features as the desktop version, especially for printing and formatting.
The lack of key features affects their experience and their decision to renew M365 subscriptions.
Advanced printing and page layout control are essential for maintaining workflow consistency across platforms.
The inability to manage page breaks on iPad disrupts workflows, particularly for users handling large documents.
Impact
Increase in M365 subscriptions.
Improved iPad print reliability
Positive OCV feedback
Design Challenges and Scoping
Challenge
Scope
In Excel Web, users cannot easily adjust rows and columns for preferred visibility in the page layout taskpane.
Introduce custom scaling:
Enables users to optimize the available space on a printed page
Users who switch between Excel on desktop, web, and iPad expect a consistent experience across all platforms, which is currently lacking on the iPad.
Cross-Platform Consistency:
Design the iPad version to match desktop functionality and workflows, optimized for touch interaction.
Testing and Iteration:
Refine the design based on feedback from users who frequently switch between Excel versions.
Users are frustrated with the limited printing options on iPad, such as the absence of print previews and advanced layout controls.
Enhance Printing Experience:
Add a Print Preview Pane for users to adjust settings and preview changes before printing.
Add Page Layout and Break Controls:
Add a dedicated Page Layout Tab with print options similar to desktop versions. Provide easy access to printing settings.
Here’s a project I led as the design counterpart during my time at Razorpay.
To provide coherence, added the Page Layout tab as part of this effort, as an additional entry point.
New
old
Page Layout tab
Introduced a print preview pane, allowing users to modify print options (orientation, paper size, scaling) and view a preview before printing, similar to desktop and web.
Adapted the layout for iPad screen size, orientation, touch targets, spacing, and flexible resizing.
Conducted an experimental release with different groups testing various versions.
Included most features from the web version.
Old Experience
The app previously did not provide users with a preview when selecting print options, which occasionally resulted in the wrong content being printed.
The lack of key features affects their experience and their decision to renew M365 subscriptions.
Initial Iterations
The goal was to align with web and desktop experiences while preserving iPad's existing functionality for continuity.
The most frequently used options were grouped under the page setup settings.
The two most frequently used actions, "Save as PDF" and "Print," were included alongside other page setup options.
Due to performance issues on iPad, a manual refresh option was provided as an alternative.
Another option included printer settings alongside the other page setup options.
Final Solution
A two-button setup for the commonly used iPad actions was implemented, while an additional entry point was provided in the hamburger menu to maintain continuity with the older version.
A scalable design was implemented to accommodate additional actions and features.
Error messages:
Preview on iPad requires a manual refresh due to slow performance. A reprint option is available for retrying the action, along with other error state messages.
Page Setup & Print Preview
Get in touch!
I hope you enjoyed what you saw! If you have any feedback, want to chat about a project, or share similar interests, I’d love to hear from you!
Designed in Figma, Built on Framer by Rohit Pawar © 2025