Work with Microsoft Office Files in Google Drive - Guide
Editing Microsoft Office Files in Google Drive
Despite the prevalence of Microsoft Office files, users who prefer Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides can still effectively manage Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files within Google Drive.
Desktop Editing with Google Chrome
To edit Microsoft Office documents on a desktop computer, the Google Chrome browser is required. An official Chrome extension must also be installed.
This allows for editing using Google Drive's Office Compatibility Mode (OCM). Alternatively, files can be converted to their native Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides format.
Converting to Google formats unlocks a wider range of features. Importantly, the original Microsoft Office file format can be restored upon re-downloading the document.
Mobile Editing with Google Apps
Microsoft Office files are also editable on mobile devices. This is achieved through the Google Drive app, in conjunction with the Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides applications on iOS or Android.
The following guide details both the desktop and mobile methods for seamless editing of Microsoft Office files within the Google ecosystem.
These methods provide flexibility for users who frequently collaborate between Microsoft and Google platforms.
Working with Microsoft Office Files on Google Drive (PC & Mac)
Let's begin by addressing desktop usage. Should your Office file reside on your computer’s hard drive, uploading it to Google Drive is a straightforward process. You can then open and edit it within the Chrome browser utilizing a dedicated Chrome extension.
First, launch Chrome and navigate to the “Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides” extension page. Click “Add to Chrome” and carefully follow the displayed instructions to complete the installation.
With the extension successfully installed, simply drag the desired Office file directly onto the Chrome window. A copy icon will appear, indicating a successful transfer, as illustrated below. For demonstration purposes, I will utilize a Word/Google Docs file, though the procedure remains consistent for Excel/Google Sheets and PowerPoint/Google Slides files.
Upon the initial drag-and-drop of an Office file, a dialog box will appear. Acknowledge this by clicking “Got it” to dismiss the window. This dialog will not reappear in subsequent uploads.
Further Reading: How to Sync Your Desktop PC with Google Drive (and Google Photos)
The Office file is then uploaded to your Google Drive account and opened within the current browser tab. Editing capabilities are somewhat limited when working directly with the Office format within Google Drive. Converting the document to a Google format unlocks a wider range of features and enables seamless collaboration with others.
To transform your Word file into a Google Docs document, navigate to the "File" menu and select “Save as Google Docs”. If you uploaded an Excel file (.xlsx or .xls), the corresponding option will be “Save as Google Sheets”. For PowerPoint files (.pptx or .ppt), choose “Save as Google Slides”.
A conversion dialog will be displayed while the document is processed and saved to your Google Drive account. You can halt the conversion at any time by clicking “Cancel”.
After making your desired edits, you can download the Google document back in an Office file format. Select “Download as” from the “File” menu, then choose “Microsoft Word (.docx)” from the submenu. Alternative formats like .rtf, .pdf, and .epub (eBook) are also available.
The original file name is pre-populated, but you can modify it within the “File name” field. Finally, click “Save” to complete the download.
An alternative method involves uploading files to your Google Drive account using the Google app for Windows, which can be obtained from here. If you’ve uploaded your Word file in this manner, you can access your Google Drive account through a web browser and open the Word file in Google Docs. To do so, right-click the file within your Google Drive, select “Open with” from the context menu, and then choose “Google Docs” from the submenu.
The Word file will open in a new browser tab, allowing you to edit it as before. You can also “Download” the file as a Word file using the "Download" button in the browser’s upper-right corner, or share it with collaborators using the "Share" button.
At this stage, the file remains in its original Word format, and you are operating in Office Compatibility Mode (OCM). To convert it to a Google Docs file, select “Save as Google Docs” from the "File" menu, mirroring the process used after dragging the Word file onto the Chrome window.
Utilizing Microsoft Office Files on Google Drive via Mobile
Microsoft Office files can be opened and edited using the Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides applications for iOS and Android devices. Specifically, Word files are compatible with Google Docs, Excel files with Google Sheets, and PowerPoint files with Google Slides. However, the Google Drive application must also be installed on your iOS or Android device for this functionality to work.
Selecting an Office file within the Google Drive app will automatically launch it in the corresponding Google document editor. We will now demonstrate the process using a Word file on an iPhone, though the steps are largely consistent across platforms and file types.
Upon tapping a Word file, it will be automatically opened within Google Docs. Editing can be initiated by simply tapping within the document (1) to add or modify content and adjust formatting (2). Further text and paragraph formatting options are accessible by selecting the text/paragraph icon located on the toolbar at the top of the screen (3). Once editing is complete, confirm your changes by tapping the check mark in the upper-left corner (4).
If uncertainty arises regarding the file format – whether you are working with a Word file or a Google Docs file – access the menu by tapping the button comprised of three vertical dots.
When handling a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint file, the menu will display "Office Compatibility Mode" at the top.
The menu includes a "Share & Export" option. However, selecting this option reveals that the "Share" function is unavailable (as shown on the left in the image below) when working directly with Word files within Google Drive. To enable sharing, the Word file must first be saved as a Google Docs file. Fortunately, the "Share & Export" submenu also provides a "Save as Google Docs file" option.
Upon saving the file in Google Docs format, the "Share & export" submenu will then include a "Share" option (illustrated on the right in the image below), allowing you to distribute the document to others. Additionally, the option to "Save as Word (.docx)" remains available, enabling conversion back to the original file type.
Initiating the "Save as Google Docs file" option within the "Share & Export" submenu will trigger a dialog box indicating that the conversion process is underway.
Following the conversion, "Office Compatibility Mode" will no longer be visible in the main menu, and various options will be updated. You can now proceed with editing and sharing your Google Docs document, and revert it to a Word document if desired.
Returning to the Google Drive app, the Google Docs version of your Word file will now be accessible.
See Also: How to Synchronize Your Desktop PC with Google Drive (and Google Photos)
A Google Docs document can also be opened in a web browser on your computer and downloaded as a Word file, as previously discussed. It’s important to note that Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides documents are exclusively stored within your Google Drive account. While the Google Drive for Windows app may display these documents as local files, they are, in fact, links to the online versions. Therefore, an internet connection is required for access. Further information regarding the Google Drive for Windows app can be found online.
Google maintains a help site detailing the Office file types compatible with Google Drive.
