PaperStreet has been designing websites since 2001 and our senior staff since 1998. During that time we have seen amazing advances in typography and communication.
We have seen websites go from the sanskrit scrolls in 400 BC, to the printing press in the 1440s, to hot metal typesetting in the 1880s, to HTML in the 1990s . . . wait I can't be that old.
You can easily open a document you made in Google Docs in Microsoft Word by downloading it as a.docx file on either your phone, tablet, or computer. Method 1 Using the Browser Download Article 1. Install the Google Docs Offline extension. In Drive, click Settings Settings. In the Offline section, check the Create, open and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline box. Right-click a file and turn on Available offline. Google Cloud Connect – This is a free plugin for Microsoft Office that will let you save your Office documents to your Google Docs account with a click. Compose a new document inside Word, Excel or PowerPoint and hit the Sync button to upload it to your Google account.
Let's start again.
I have been designing websites for over 20 years now. When I started, Microsoft Word was the de facto document for composing text. Its toolset for composing text and tracking changes were the gold standard (sorry Word Perfect). However, at PaperStreet we have moved past Microsoft Word documents for our website projects.
We now require the use of Google Docs on all our projects. The reason is simple: just like the printing press was better than writing on scrolls, online collaboration tools are better than individual Microsoft Word files for web and content projects.
Google Docs allows for real-time collaboration, a history of changes, track changes, auto saving, work from anywhere, offline work mode, exporting, file storage and more. Most importantly, it allows us to stay organized and instantly see the most recent version of your website content.
Yes, this is a change. But it is for the better. Below are 16 reasons why we will use Google Docs to run your website project.
Google Docs Advantages
- Collaboration– You can work together on the same document. No more passing around individual Word files that can only be used by one person at a time. This is a HUGE time savings.
- History – You can track document changes automatically and revert to any previous version of the document. This helps in reverting to old formats easily. You may not use it much, but when you do, it will save your skin.
- Track Changes vs. Suggestion Mode – The biggest complaint we hear about using Google Docs is that only Microsoft Word can track changes. However, Google Docs now has Suggesting Mode which is almost identical to Track Changes. Default mode is Editing mode for all docs, where you do overwrite online any updates (of course you can revert via history). But if you want to edit someone's document and show your changes, then turn to Suggesting mode and you can create items for review, approve, etc. So, Google Docs is actually better for tracking changes because of its online collaboration abilities and ability to revert.
- Security – Google Docs by default are locked down to specific users. As needed, we can open them up to share by link status (meaning anyone with link can edit). Remember, these are marketing documents, not legal documents that need full privacy. Anything you send for the website, will be online. Thus there is no need for full privacy.
- Auto Saving – The documents save in real time, eliminating the need to save your document. Word Docs typically do auto save now too but there is still a chance you may lose some changes.
- Less Confusion – With Google Docs, we know which is the most recent version of the content for your website, there is no more question of 'which file is the best version'. Put simply, our project managers can easily tell what document to use and give to our developers.
- Work From Anywhere – You can load documents on your phone, tablet, desktop and work easily.
- Work Offline – If you don't have internet, you can still work offline and upload when you do have access.
- Cut / Paste – It is easy to cut/paste content from Google Docs into WordPress or your Content Management System (CMS)
- Easy Access – With a simple link you can see your data and pass the link to anyone you want to share your content with.
- Export – You can export to a variety of formats (even Microsoft Word and PDF).
- No Software – You don't have to install software to use Google Docs.
- Comment – Adding a comment is easier in Google Docs and looks better. You can also create tasks for individuals and start a discussion thread.
- Files – Easy filing as we store all your docs in our project folders for integration into WordPress and Basecamp.
- Upload – You can actually upload Word Docs and have them auto convert to a Google Doc. Note that there may be slight formatting changes, but if you draft in Google Doc these are easily resolved.
- Saves Time – You save time by using Google Docs because you no longer have to save files, email files, figure out which have been emailed or which is the current version.
- Saves Money – Since time is saved, money is saved. Your website project is quoted based on the use of Google Docs and the time savings it allows. If you prefer to use Microsoft Word files, let us know and we can set a budget.
Google Doc Disadvantages
- NewSystem – Yes, Google Docs is a new system. So you will need to learn how to use the tool. However, it is 95% similar to your prior workflow. After 20 minutes of use, you will learn almost all of the controls and the time savings will be immense. Simply click on a link and you can start typing/editing/cutting/pasting.
- Policy Lockdown – Some firms may have a policy of not using cloud storage for creating documents. However, this should only apply to client legal matters, not marketing pages that we are creating for a website. Since our goal is to produce a website, the actual information will not be confidential once the site is finally live. Thus, any privacy concerns are not really an issue and should be ignored. So if your firm has a policy on not using Google Docs, simply ask for a waiver for use in marketing documents that will ultimately be live.
Conclusion on Why We Use Google Docs
As you can see using Google Docs offers many advantages. The main disadvantage is that Google Docs may be a new system for you. However, learning Google Docs does not take much time or effort.
The combination of collaboration, track changes, easy access from anywhere and less confusion allows us to manage your web content more efficiently, resulting in a cost savings for your project. For this reason, we are now requiring the use of Google Docs on all projects.
Finally, we are not beholden to Google Docs. We actually like Office 365 online docs too and its collaboration toolset. If you want to use that, then we may be able to accommodate you. It's just we have been using Google Docs for longer, so that is what we are partial too. The key is to stop using individual Word docs on a website project.
If you have any questions, or need help with setting up Google Docs for your files, please let us know. Help will always be given at PaperStreet to those who ask for it.
Given the option between Microsoft Word vs Google Docs, which one should you select?
The solution depends on what features you require, how much protection you need, and your budget.
Both Microsoft Word and Google Docs offer many features that will help you finish your word processing jobs. In lots of ways, they are synonymous. However, there are cases when a person is better than another.
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Google Docs Vs Microsoft Word
In this guide, Colorfy will compare Google Docs to Microsoft Office Word. We will examine each's strengths and weaknesses, which means it's possible to make the best option for you.
Comparing Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs
Interface Comparison
With each of the features Microsoft Office Word has at its disposal, it can be hard to locate the button you need.
For people who only wish to create standard text characters, the user interface is basic and clean, but it may confuse when looking for the button, which plays an intricate endeavor. Even if you've used Microsoft Office Word for a long time, it's easy to become lost in all its ribbons and toolbars. It is great to have choices, but not if you cannot locate and use those innovative features.
The simple fact that Docs has fewer features than Word (Google sticks together with the most crucial ones and makes them memorable) is fantastic.
The toolbars are clear and slick, with the appropriate word processing features are exhibited either on the primary tab in its subsections.
Documents additionally keep the commonly used features reachable, which is quite handy.
Do not be duped with its easy looks, however; Docs includes a great deal to offer students, teachers, and businesses.
Formatting
The words are the most significant part of a Bachelor's occupation. But formatting comes at a close second. Should you utilize an agency, then you need to honor their templates and formatting principles. If you work together with anybody, you would like to have the ability to comment to reveal your thought processes and monitor modifications to demonstrate document alterations.
MS Word is very significant for these two formatting requirements. Opinions and monitored changes are simple to read, and also the word processing giant provides lots of alternative views for them. Similarly, the sometimes-clunky ribbon interface conceals many powerful formatting tools that come inconvenient (ask our CEO, Fiona, how frequently she uses 'Format Painter'). Customized templates are incredibly useful and curiously absent in some other word processors.
Google Docs fares poorly here. Sure, it has the basics covered, but using just a couple of fonts, no templates, and one perspective for comments and tracked changes, pro copywriters will strike the constraints of Alpha Documents speedily.
Productivity
Google Docs Microsoft Word
You might think there is just one way to sort up a record. You would be wrong and probably ill-informed about the fantastic world of templates and shortcuts.
MS Word is the champ of the arena also. While its ribbon port might not be the cleanest, God does it pack a good deal of features. Most of all, each includes its shortcut key combination, so you don't need to waste time reaching your mouse.
Significantly, Word includes templates – a godsend to your backup group. Here from the Radix office, we've got all sorts of templates we will need to write into based on our searching. Word makes it effortless to create, manage, and operate into those.
Google Docs looks the part. Its interface is clean, contemporary, and not bogged down at the years of features that weigh down Microsoft's offering. However, numerous things restrict productivity for pro authors.
The shortcut scenario, for example, is slightly restricted. As G Documents sits on your internet browser – a program using its shortcut keys – you are somewhat limited in what you can shortcut your way into. Given time I am confident that you may learn all of the hacks you have to be productive; however, to get a Word user that moves into G Documents now and after that, the change could be jarring.
Collaboration
Excellent copy demands all sorts of input from advertising managers, subject matter specialists, and product owners. Collaborating with those stakeholders is vital. Occasionally these people today will need to work together synchronously: at the actual time. In other situations, the cooperation is asynchronous (i.e., pinging something back and forth over email).
Google Docs is perfect for synchronous, real-time cooperation. Accessible in-browser and on cellular, it allows anyone to connect in to edit the text in real-time. This is very good for throwing ideas around.
However, for delivering sound, completed copying it is horrendous. Writers wish to take their time composing, writing, and editing their job to get the wording just perfect. For most of us, having a customer digitally looking over your shoulder when you operate is nightmare fuel.
MS Word will better on the side of things. In comparison to Alpha Documents, Word has much stricter monitored changes, much more robust commenting alternatives, and much clearer choices for seeing the edits you wish to concentrate on.
Features
Google Docs Microsoft Word File
Google Docs includes almost all of the features, including Microsoft Office Word, such as text formatting, line spacing, indentation, bulleted and numbered lists, tables and images, etc. But it lacks a few of the advanced features that Can Be Found in Microsoft Word, such as page borders, background color, watermarking, and comparing two versions of a document.
Microsoft Office Word provides numerous features, such as the most frequent regular features employed to generate and format files. Word also includes adding more innovative features that are not as frequently used but may be very helpful, such as page borders, background color, and watermarks, to list a couple.
Offline Access
Should you require a word processor to utilize offline, Microsoft Word will be ideal for you. You may easily create new files while offline and then upload them on the cloud as soon as you get online. This is not true yet with Google Docs. Even though you can still create, view, and edit files offline on Google Docs, you would have to get an online link to sync with the changes along with your apparatus.
Functionality
As previously discussed, the cheap Google Docs are determined at the expense of advanced features and performance. Using MS Word, you're in a position to receive far better table formatting, greater control over text styles, better page numbering, amongst others. You may also attain this when utilizing Google Docs with third-party extensions in your Chrome browser to help you get a few of those features.
Internet Access
The two Microsoft Word and Google Docs do demand Internet access to a level.
Therefore, Internet access Must set up and activate Office; however, to not use Office application.
Save Features
Google Docs gets high praise from customers on it has to save capacities as most of your changes are automatically saved as you type. You may even utilize the revision background to view old versions of the same record, sorted by date, making the switch.
Word Online additionally takes the save button since they also automatically save modifications to their own cloud storage One Drive.
Edits
Creating edits another major role for authors, as editors need to add edits or comments when reviewing your record.
Word makes it relatively straightforward; however, to be truthful, as somebody who uses this attribute often when performing manuscript critiques for my customers, I favor the desktop variant.
With that said, comparing Google Docs vs. Microsoft Word Online, I'd say that both computer software handles the editing attribute similarly.
Okay, now that we have gotten a few of the more practical elements of this software, let's take a few of the basic options writers need to use as soon as they start formatting their manuscript. And in case you haven't noticed my past formatting movies for Google Docs or Microsoft Word, then be sure that you have a look at the description box since I will have it connected there.
Support
Google provides online training manuals and documentation to get Google Docs to assist users that fight with all the programs or have queries. There's also a robust online community for Google Docs, where consumers may get assistance from other users and professionals.
Microsoft provides assistance and training documentation on the internet at support.office.com. There's also a huge community of Microsoft Word users that will provide answers to your queries.
Pricing
Let us discuss pricing since, for a few authors, this will be an essential deciding factor.
Microsoft Office Word Online takes a subscription to the offices 365 that will provide you access to all their office programs, including Word. The pricing is $6.99/mth for one person also comprises 1 TB of cloud storage.
If you go for the $9.99/the variant that supports up to 6 people, you can find a 1-month free trial.
Now for those already knowledgeable about MS Word, I would like you to remember this is a simplified variant of the desktop version. Suppose you are using MS Office on the internet and functioning on a document. In that case, you may opt to work on precisely the same file from the background version (in case you've got a copy installed and are using the identical login), and it'll save the modifications in the internet version of the file. That means that you may work between the internet and desktop versions provided that your document is stored in One Drive, which will be their cloud storage.
In comparison, Google Docs is free. You will have to register for a Google account, which can be free, and when you've got an account, you'll have access to their whole package that includes Google Docs.
Read also:10 Tips and Tricks to Become a Master of Microsoft Word
Word Vs Google Docs
Conclusion
Google Docs Microsoft Word Document
Finally, the Microsoft Word vs. Google Docs showdown Is Dependent upon your priorities. Each term processor has its strengths:
Microsoft Office Word provides more performance, particularly in formatting. Additionally, it supplies offline accessibility, which makes it a secure selection for sensitive files. The principal disadvantage of MS Word is its price because the free version is restricted.
Google Docs is completely free, easy to get from several apparatus, and ideal for collaborative working. But it's fewer resources than Microsoft Word.
If all you want is an easy, free word processor – particularly for collaborative functioning – Google Docs is a great option. But if you would like complete control over your files, you may want to invest in Microsoft Word. In any event, be sure that you get your work proofread from the specialists.
Video: Google Drive Tips and Tricks to Save You Time
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