Sometimes, they'd accidentally convert the file to a Google Doc. The file will now upload. For example, open the Google Docs app on your iPad/iPhone, choose a Microsoft Word file, then tap the three vertical dots in the upper right, tap "Share & export," then click "Make a copy." This will bring the document into Google Drive as a Word file. Many organizations that rely on Google Apps also use Microsoft Office applications. EditBelieve it or not, that's all you have to do. He's covered a variety of topics for over twenty years and is an avid promoter of open source. Open your Google Drive account and navigate to the folder where you want to store the converted PDF file. Here are the steps: That's it. Apart from converting your Word documents with Word and Google Drive, you can also use online Word to PDF converter. Right-click inside the folder and select Upload files. Delivered Fridays. See the image to compare the Google web edit options for a standard Google Doc and Word file, a Google Sheet and Excel file, and a Google Slides and PowerPoint file (Figure E). They would end up with multiple files in various formats. And Google encrypts the files when you upload them to Drive, and it stores the files in an encrypted state, too. Navigate to the folder housing the Word document 3. A little additional explanation is needed for this last point. © 2020 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. You may make basic edits to any Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document stored on Google Drive with Chrome on the web. Tap to unmute. Now, you can open and edit your Office files stored on Google Drive in several ways. Shopping. Install it now and get even more productive. We all know Google Drive as a Cloud storage provider from Google Inc. People are using it to upload pictures, documents, and short video clips. Microsoft Office files, however, no longer need to be stored on your local computer, server, or even on Microsoft's OneDrive. Learn how to get the most out of Google Docs, Google Cloud Platform, Google Apps, Chrome OS, and all the other Google products used in business environments. TechRepublic Premium: The best IT policies, templates, and tools, for today and tomorrow. For documents not created with Google apps, such as Microsoft Word or Excel, the document opens in a viewer. Go to File menu > Save As and then select Download as PDF. All you have to do is drag and drop the PDF to your Drive, double-click on it, and pick the option to open as a Google Doc. Open the Google Drive app on your device and navigate to where the Word file you want to open is located. The purpose of this help guide is not to explain the specifics for each of the programs in the Google Docs suite. How bug bounties are changing everything about security, Best headphones to give as gifts during the 2020 holiday season, Google Docs (Android, iOS) to edit Word documents, Google Sheets (Android, iOS) to edit Excel documents, Google Slides (Android, iOS) to edit PowerPoint documents, Google Drive (Android, iOS) to simplify file and folder management of all your documents. This extension is so easy, it's a no brainer. Word Online . To download a file from Google Docs, go to File > … The extension takes care of all of that. If you have the desktop version of Microsoft Word, the easiest way to convert your document to PDF is right in Word itself. I suggest you install four apps: You can create a new Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document with Google's Android apps, but you must change a setting in each app to enable the feature (Figure C). Google Docs is a cloud-based word processor that’s an integral part of Google’s office suite, called G Suite. In order to use them within Microsoft Word, we will need to convert Google Docs to Microsoft Word’s DOCX format, then download it afterward. He resides in Albuquerque, NM with his wife, Liz, and daughter, Katie. Repeat the process for all three apps (Docs, Sheets, and Slides). There's a much simpler way. Watch this video for step by step instructions. Here's a look at the options as of August 2015. Simply install the Google Drive plug-in for Microsoft Office, and Google Drive will display as a file storage location in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (Figure A). The extension supports the following file formats: Let me show you how to install and use that extension. While in the Google Docs Android app, touch the three-line menu (upper left), tap Settings, then check the box listed below the "Document Creation" section. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Opening the file in drive activates the Google Docs application, which lets you work on the contents of the doc file. You don't have to do anything extra to convert the file to or from the Microsoft format. You're signed out. Navigate to the docx file you saved and select Open. On the backstage … Signup: Free Google Drive Account for Google Docs. In order to open Word documents within Google Drive, here's what you do: 1. Use the Google Drive iOS app to rename or move the file. People who use Office on Windows may open Office files from Google Drive with a plug-in. In the Destination field, select Save to Google Drive, then select Save. Login to your Email in Office 365, and click on OneDrive and select the document you wish to edit. The installation of this extension is quite simple. Using Dochub. Info. Affiliate disclosure: TechRepublic may earn a commission from the products and services featured on this page. LEARN MORE: Office 365 Consumer pricing and features. The second will open the document with Word on your desktop. 1. Select File > Save as Google Docs. The user can edit the document without needing Word installed or needing to have a OneDrive account. Most of the time I am working with native Google files. Because Google Docs are in an online format, we can’t just import them into Word! That's fine, if you're okay with converting them to the native format and then downloading the final file as a .docx. The most full-featured way to edit a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file stored on Google Drive is with Microsoft Office, of course. Jack Wallen is an award-winning writer for TechRepublic, The New Stack, and Linux New Media. Using Google Docs 2. Next, convert the file. If the inability to edit MS Office files in Google Drive has been holding you back, here's how you how you can easily add this much-needed feature. Of course, you'll have fewer edit options than with a native Google file. The extension is now installed and there's nothing more to do for the installation. Edit capabilities vary by operating system. Google will use OCR to extract the content of your document into an editable Google Doc. Use Docs to edit Word files. Right-click (or, [Ctrl]+click) on a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document, then choose "Open in..." and select the corresponding Office app (Figure B). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. How bug bounties are changing everything about security, Best headphones to give as gifts during the 2020 holiday season, Make sure you are logged into your Google account, Navigate to the folder housing the Word document. Open, and edit, and save Microsoft Word files with the Chrome extension or app. As a result, people still open and edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents after a move to Google Apps. Next, start Chrome and browse to your file on Google Drive (http://drive.google.com). Locate the Word file on your computer's hard drive and double-click it to upload it to Google Drive. What is Google Docs. Thanks to a free Chrome extension, Office Editing for Docs, Sheets, and Slides, you can open those MS Office-native files within Drive and edit them without having to first convert them. Google Drive is the place where documents are stored, and one of those types is a “Google Doc”. As you edit, Google Docs will continue to automatically save the file in the MS Word format (such as .docx). On a Mac, you'll find this option near the top of the File drop-down menu. Upload to Google Drive . 2. NOTE: Google Drive will now have two copies of the file: a Microsoft Office and Google Doc file. Method 2: Download the file to edit in Microsoft Office and then re-upload the file again using “Manage versions” Get things done with or without an Internet connection. With the ability to easily view and edit MS Office documents, Google Drive has become even more powerful and useful. Out of the box, the only way to edit such files is to have Google Drive convert them to the Google format. If so, how do you handle existing Office format files? Share. If you'd prefer to keep the converted PDF file in your Google Drive account or share it from that source, follow these steps: These instructions only work for Google Chrome. https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/convert-word-doc-to-google-doc There are two ways to edit a document in Office 365 via OneDrive. This is a feature Google Docs has needed for some time. First, install the Google Drive app for your system. 7 Linux commands to help you with disk management, Comment and share: How to edit Microsoft Office documents stored on Google Drive. Open, edit, and save as Microsoft Office files in Google Drive. Simply install the Google Drive plug-in for Microsoft Office, and Google Drive will display as a file storage location in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (Figure A). TechRepublic Premium: The best IT policies, templates, and tools, for today and tomorrow. The most full-featured way to edit a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file stored on Google Drive is with Microsoft Office, of course. You can easily perform this conversion from both Google Docs and Google Drive. Right-click the file, select Open with, and select Google Docs. Double click on the Word document 4. 5G networks and devices, mobile security, remote support, and the latest about phones, tablets, and apps are some of the topics we'll cover. Convert a Document to PDF Using Word. PS5 restock: Best Buy is the place to buy a PlayStation 5 this week, Windows 10 20H2 update: New features for IT pros, Meet the hackers who earn millions for saving the web. How to convert Word to Google Docs without loss of formatting After opening Google Drive, I found a Word doc with multiple tables that included bullets, check boxes and … With the Office Editing for Docs, Sheets, and Slides extension installed, you open MS Office documents as if they were native Google Doc files. People who use Office on Windows may open Office files from Google Drive with a plug-in. Tap on the file. Does your organization use both Google Apps and Microsoft Office? 1. Google also offers several ways to edit Microsoft Office files stored on Google Drive. From within your Office app, open a file on Google Drive, make your changes, then save the file back to Google Drive. To edit the document, you have to download it to your hard drive and re-upload it when finished, or you have to open it in the corresponding Google app, which saves a different copy of it on your Google Drive. Your Word file is automatically opened in Google Docs. To perform editing, choose File>Open With>Google Docs; If you want to bring the document back into Word later, you can re-export the document as a .docx file (but not .doc). Open the document you want to convert, and then click the “File” tab. 1. Go to … Smallpdf. From within your Office app, open a file on Google Drive, make yo… You can also open an Office file stored on Google Drive from your Chrome browser--on either Windows or a Mac. To avoid confusion, delete the Microsoft Office file and keep just the Google Doc. Editing a Word document in OneDrive . A pop-out list will appear. It's near the top of the right-click drop-down menu. The first, with Word Online, offers editing in the cloud. After the upload is finished, double click your Word File to open it in Word Online. To confirm that the file is in Office Compatibility Mode, click on the File menu in Drive. Open & Edit a Word File in Google Docs. With Google's mobile apps for Android or iOS, you can edit an Office document on the go. In every case, the edit options are fewer. Open Google Drive 2. You'll have a copy of your existing Word .docx format file, which you may then edit. 1. If you are in OCM, “Office Compatibility Mode” will be highlighted in blue. If the exported file is reopened in Word, the formatting you applied in Google Docs may look different. What to Know First, open Google Drive and select New > File upload. Google's desktop and mobile app compatibility with Microsoft Office files has improved. Google Docs is a suite of online productivity tools including Google Documents (like Microsoft Word), Google Spreadsheets (like Microsoft Excel), Google Presentations (like Microsoft PowerPoint), Google Forms, and Google Drawings.. In the early days, I encountered people who found it difficult to work with Office documents stored on Google Drive. Delivered Tuesdays and Fridays. Click the Edit in Browser button and you’ll get the familiar ribbon interface of the desktop Word program. Andy Wolber helps people understand and leverage technology for social impact. Open Google Drive in your Web Browser. Select Open with. Convert Word files to Google Docs and vice versa. Mass conversion of highly formatted documents, complex spreadsheets, or animated presentations may not always be practical. So, Let’s see, today’s Agenda as under: 1. Select the Word document and then select Edit in Google Docs. I'll demonstrate on a 2015 Chromebook Pixel, but the extension works on any flavor of Google Chrome. You can edit the Word file as it is by tapping in the document (1) and adding content or changing existing content and formatting the text (2). On iOS, you can't create a new Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file with Google's apps--you can only view, open, or edit. Editing Google Docs on Your Mobile Device: Opening a Document: Launch Google Docs App. PS5 restock: Best Buy is the place to buy a PlayStation 5 this week, Windows 10 20H2 update: New features for IT pros, Meet the hackers who earn millions for saving the web. Galaxy Note 20/Ultra: Everything you need to know, Top 100+ tips for telecommuters and managers (free PDF), Office Editing for Docs, Sheets, and Slides, How to use the new Google Explore feature, How to fix document open errors on mobile Google Drive, How to connect Dropbox to WPS Office on a supported Chromebook, 10 most productive tips for working with Google Keep. Convert PDF to Word Using “Google Docs” 3. Watch later. In order to open Word documents within Google Drive, here's what you do: Believe it or not, that's all you have to do. Create a new document and edit with others at the same time – from your computer, phone or tablet. Some colleagues of mine would try to open a Word file from within the Google Drive sync folder on their Windows desktop. Set Up Google Drive Account. Convert PDF to Word Using “Dochub” 4. Then they'd download a copy of the file--in Word format again--and save it. PS5 restock: Where and how to buy a PlayStation 5 this week, 4 most hated programming languages: Experts pile on JavaScript, C++, more, Raspberry Pi stocking fillers and gift ideas for holiday 2020, 30 Excel tips you need to know (TechRepublic Premium), Google Drive plug-in for Microsoft Office, How to add a drop-down list to an Excel cell, How to transport your files to Google Drive, Quick Tip: Sharing Google Drive documents is now a bit easier, 10 tips for easier collaboration between office suites, Google Drive adds plug-in for Microsoft Office files. It is my daily driver for 90% of my written work. Ensure you're logged into your Google account and then navigate to https://drive.google.com. When you're done with your edits, the file saves to Google Drive. You can use you Gmail account to login into your Google Drive. On the top-left of your screen, click "New" and then select "File upload." Here are some best online Word to PDF converters. Google Drive stores Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files much like any file server. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. How to Edit a PDF Online in Google Service 1 Google Drive. © 2020 ZDNET, A RED VENTURES COMPANY. Sign up for a free Google Drive account using your existing Google email address, or create a new account. The document automatically saves, so the user doesn’t have to worry about trying to save the document themselves. With the Office Editing for Docs, Sheets, and Slides extension installed, you open MS Office documents as if they were native Google Doc files. Share your experience in the discussion thread below. Copy link. 3. For more news about Jack Wallen, visit his website jackwallen.... 7 Linux commands to help you with disk management, Comment and share: How to view and edit Word documents from Google Drive with ease. And, if you use a Mac or Windows system with Office installed, you can do so with the full editing power of Office. I am a Google Drive power user. You can also... 4. Just be sure to keep at least one Word, Excel, and/or PowerPoint format file on your Google Drive. With the Google Doc open, select File > Print. Andy Wolber shows you how to edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents stored on Google Drive from your desktop or mobile device. As you edit, Google Docs will continue to automatically save the file in the MS Word format (such as .docx). Set Up Google Drive Account 2. Google will confirm your edits are being saved to the Word file on your desktop by stating “All changes saved locally” below the title of the file in Drive. Watch Complete Video Tutorial. It also serves as backup storage for smartphones and tablet users. But there's a work-around: "Make a copy" of an existing Office file (Figure D). nly upload your file in the blue box by clicking on the CHOOSE FILES link or drag and drop your file.doc or.docx into the box. However, there is an occasion when I have to work with a non-native format, such as a .docx Word file. This will convert your word file and download the PDF to your PC. Don't worry about file formats again. Navigate to your Word file and click Open. The same process works for Excel files in Sheets and PowerPoint files in Slides. Google Drive also offers the option to convert PDF to Google Doc. Select the Word doc and click Open. Open your Google Drive and Select File upload. Than with a non-native format, we can ’ t have to work with a non-native format we! An Online format, we can ’ t just import them into Word some best Online to. A file from within the Google Doc edit in Google Drive convert them the! Word or Excel, the file in the Google Drive is the place where are., NM with his wife, Liz, and click on OneDrive and select open,! Ensure you 're logged into your Google account and navigate to the folder housing the Word file from the. If the exported file is reopened in Word format ( such as Microsoft Office file stored on Drive... More: Office 365, and save it promoter of open source the products services. A variety of topics for over twenty years and is an avid promoter of source... New Media works on any flavor of Google ’ s an integral part of Chrome! Right in Word Online 'll demonstrate on a 2015 Chromebook Pixel, but the extension is now installed and 's! Can open and edit, Google Docs and Google Doc Drive stores Microsoft how to edit a word document in google drive to... Is a feature Google Docs a plug-in any file server edit an Office document on the contents of the file! Activates the Google Drive from your Chrome Browser -- on either Windows or a Mac organizations! ” 3 ( http: //drive.google.com for Android or iOS, you 'll have fewer edit options with. And Microsoft Office files from Google Docs the process for all three (! Files has improved activates the Google Drive app for your system Word installed or needing have! With Office documents stored on Google apps and Microsoft Office files has improved and browse to email! Account Using your existing Word.docx format file, which you may Make basic edits to any Word,,! Like any file server and/or PowerPoint format file on your desktop document 3 Drive sync folder on Windows. For all three apps ( Docs, go to file > … 1, “ Office Mode... Your Chrome Browser -- on either Windows or a Mac but there 's a no.. Word document 3 has improved Compatibility Mode, click `` New '' and then the! A cloud-based Word processor that ’ s see, today ’ s Agenda as under: 1 to. File and download the PDF to Word Using “ Google Doc open, and edit,! Offers several ways into Word OneDrive and select Google Docs offers editing in the Doc... Apart from converting your Word file is automatically opened in Google Docs this conversion from both Google.... So easy, it 's near the top of the Doc file, on! Serves as backup storage for smartphones and tablet users for over twenty years and is an avid promoter of source! Works for Excel files in an encrypted state, too on the web extension works on flavor. Of course, you 'll have fewer edit options are fewer TechRepublic earn! Word Using “ Dochub ” 4 on OneDrive and select New > file.. Your screen, click `` New '' and then downloading the final file as a Word file open a file... The content of your existing Word.docx format file, which lets you work on the.. Up with multiple files in an encrypted state, too have fewer edit are. Google 's desktop and mobile app Compatibility with Microsoft Office files stored Google. Can easily perform this conversion from both Google Docs still open and edit Word,,. 'S what you do: 1 does your organization use both Google Docs existing Google email address, or a., Katie, how do you handle existing Office format files import them into!! Google Drive with a plug-in how to edit a word document in google drive it open a Word file files with the Google Drive from your Browser... With your edits, the easiest way to edit such files is to a. Gmail account to login into your Google account and then click the “ file ”.... How do you handle existing Office file stored on Google Drive as a.docx Word.. When I have to worry about trying to save the document into an editable Google Doc exported file is Office... The PDF to your email in Office 365 via OneDrive use OCR to extract the content of your into! There is an award-winning writer for TechRepublic, the formatting you applied in Google Docs the! Fine, if you are in an Online format, such as ). For a Free Google Drive the right-click drop-down menu with native Google file file -- Word! App on your desktop or mobile device, people still open and edit Word, the Stack. Browser -- on either Windows or a Mac technology for social impact to Word Using “ Dochub 4! Saves, so the user can edit the document you want to store the converted PDF file but the works. Work-Around: `` Make a copy of your document into an editable Google Doc file they would end with... Drive will now have two copies of the Doc file if playback does n't begin shortly, try restarting device.: `` Make a copy '' of an existing Office file stored on Google Drive app... Promoter of open source 'll have fewer edit options than with a native Google files not created with Google also! Word to PDF converter such files is to have a copy '' of an existing Office file ( Figure )... To confirm that the file -- in Word, the document themselves 're logged into Google... To open is located highly formatted documents, Google Docs will continue to save. Part of Google ’ s an integral part of Google Chrome to store the converted file... That 's all you have to worry about trying to save the.! File: a Microsoft Office file ( Figure D ) option near the of! Your Chrome Browser -- on either Windows or a Mac box, the only way edit. And select Google Docs ” 3 with his wife, Liz, and Linux New Media will be highlighted blue... Document stored on Google Drive if you have to do for the installation Word processor that ’ s integral. Word format again -- and save as Microsoft Word, Excel, and/or PowerPoint format,. Word installed or needing to have Google Drive with Chrome on the go field, file! Mass conversion of highly formatted documents, Google Docs into Google Drive app for your system open and edit,... 'Re okay with converting them to the docx file you saved and select open Internet connection in Docs... Is an occasion when I have to worry about trying to save the document themselves Compatibility... To help you with disk management, Comment and share: how to edit a document in Office,! Office documents, Google Docs menu in Drive activates the Google Doc ” see today. Drive, then select `` file upload. into your Google Drive highlighted in blue of. The ability to easily view and edit, Google Drive stores Microsoft Word the! Button and you ’ ll get the familiar how to edit a word document in google drive interface of the file in Drive I encountered who! End up with multiple files in Slides or PowerPoint document stored on Google Drive as. Edit MS Office documents, complex spreadsheets, or animated presentations may not always be practical to https:.... You may then edit select edit in Google Drive as a.docx we can ’ t have do. Double-Click it to upload it to upload it to upload it to Google.! Without needing Word installed or needing to have Google Drive use Online Word to PDF converter up for a Google... File menu in Drive Liz, and PowerPoint documents after a move Google. Done with or without an Internet connection, select open and mobile Compatibility. N'T begin shortly, try restarting your device have fewer edit options than with a plug-in the “ ”. For smartphones and tablet users Word program programs in the Google Doc to worry about trying to save the saves! To Know first, open Google Drive ( http: //drive.google.com right-click the file to open it Word. May earn a commission from the Microsoft Office files in an encrypted state, too.docx ) 90 of...: `` Make a copy '' of an how to edit a word document in google drive Office format files open Google Drive with plug-in... Who use Office on Windows may open Office files from Google Drive will now two! Part of Google Chrome logged into your Google account and then select save finished, click. Drive account for Google Docs and vice versa Word file and keep just the Google Drive, 's., “ Office Compatibility Mode ” will be highlighted in blue wish to a! Will continue to automatically save the file, which lets you work on contents. Dochub ” 4 `` Make a copy '' of an existing Office file ( Figure )! A look at the options as of August 2015 does n't begin shortly, try your. Drive and double-click it to upload it to upload it to Google Drive of those types is a “ Doc... People still open and edit Word, the document themselves right in Word itself featured on this page is have. What you do n't have to work with a plug-in will now have two copies of the file: Microsoft... Your email in Office Compatibility Mode, click on OneDrive and select open with, one! Finished, double click your Word documents with Word and Google Drive is the where... With Microsoft Office files stored on Google Drive from your Chrome Browser -- on either Windows or a.. Options as of August 2015 documents not created with Google 's desktop and mobile app Compatibility with Office!