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Apple updates iWork for iCloud with persistent document settings, keyboard shortcut tips, more

Apple on Tuesday updated its iWork for iCloud productivity suite with new functions that make switching between OS X, iOS and the cloud a less jarring experience.

First spotted by The Loop, Apple's latest additions bring the cloud-based Pages, Numbers and Keynote more in line with current Mac and iOS versions as the company works to converge the suite into a more uniform user experience.

With the update, all three apps — Pages, Numbers and Keynote — get persistent document settings, which means iCloud "remembers," or syncs over, things like zoom level, last selected sheet or slide, show/hide guides and more.

In addition, the update also suggests a user's most recent screen name when opening a shared document, making it easier to quickly collaborate on a project. Previously, users had to choose their screen name to open a file.

iWork for iCloud now includes tips on how to invoke basic functions like cut/copy/paste using keyboard shortcuts. As seen in the image above, the new shortcut commands are displayed in the contextual Numbers pop-up menu much like the desktop version of the app.

Finally, right-clicking on an inserted image like the one above brings up a dynamic masking tool that can crop and size graphics.

Apple last updated iWork for iCloud in May by adding the ability to collaborate with up to 100 people and support for documents up to 1GB in size.

The latest iWork for iCloud version is rolling out now and can be used with a registered iCloud.com account.