This feature is no longer new, but has been on my list to share for a while. When first made available, some people struggled to get this feature to work on the desktop. Others may not even know this is an option. But I love the fact that you can now edit Microsoft Office files in Docs, Sheets and Slides!
I rarely use Microsoft Office these days, but occasionally I am sent Office files to view or edit. (My eyes usually roll when I see a giant .pptx file attached to an email.) Anyway, I realize some users still need to edit Office files for various reasons. So below I have detailed How to Edit Microsoft Office Files in Google Drive on a desktop.
How to Edit Microsoft Office Files in Google Drive
I’ve said it before, and will say it many times again, Google works best with Google. If you use any of the Google Apps, you should understand they work better together. Using Chrome is a no-brainer. Chrome will give you additional functionality with almost all of your Google Apps, AND it’s the only browser that will allow you to edit Office files in Google Drive.
If you have ever seen one of my presentations, or been in my training, you know how I feel about Chrome. You probably also know how I feel about Internet Explorer (IE is Evil). In case you don’t, explore this post: Confessions of a Chrome Addict.
Insure you have upgraded to the New Google Drive. Take a look at your Google Drive. If your the red button still says, “Create,” then you are using the old Drive. If your red button says, “New,” you are using the New Google Drive.
To switch to the New Google Drive, click on your settings wheel in the top-right and choose, “Experience the New Drive.” The New Google Drive is still optional at this point, but I’m sure it won’t be for much longer.
3 - Install the Chrome Extension: Office Editing for Docs, Sheets and Slides.
This Google Chrome extension must be installed in order to edit Office files in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. Install it now…I’ll wait. Oh, and if you are looking for more great Chrome extensions, check out my list here: 45 Fantastic Chrome Apps and Extensions.
Once you have the completed the above steps, you can then move on to opening and editing Office files in Google Docs, Sheets and Slides. The Chrome extension will allow you to do this from several different places:
- From your New Google Drive: Locate the Office file (remember to look for the Office icons) and double-click to open and begin editing.
- From Gmail: When viewing a preview of an Office attachment, click Open in Docs (or Sheets/Slides) to start editing.
- From your local storage: Open any locally stored Office files and begin editing:
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- On a Mac or PC, open the file by clicking File > Open file in the menu of your Chrome browser or simply drag and drop a file from your desktop into a Chrome browser window.
- On a Chromebook, open Files.app and double-click the file you’d like to edit.
- From a Docs, Sheets & Slides home screen: Simply click on any Office file to begin editing in OCM.
- From third-party websites: With the Chrome extension installed, clicking to open a Office file on any webpage will open the file in a new tab for editing.
Do you have other questions about Google or technology integration? Please share in the comments below!
Kasey Bell will be presenting at the following upcoming events:
- FETC, Jan. 20-23 (Orlando, FL)
- TCEA, Feb. 2-6 (Austin, TX)
- WEMTA, March 22-24 (Wisconsin Dells, WI)