Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (2024)

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On this page Comparison at a glance Related topics Was this helpful? Docs


Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (1)

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Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (2)

Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (3)

Learn the differences between Microsoft Word and Google Docs, and get best practices for collaboration at work or school.

See Also
How to Set Up Google Alerts in 2 Minutes or LessLearn how Google Alerts Work and Why It Doesn’tThe Smart Marketer’s Guide to Google AlertsGoogle Alerts Software Reviews, Demo & Pricing

On this page

  • Comparison at a glance
  • Related topics

What you'll need

Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (4) 15 minutes

Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (5)Google Workspace account—Don't have one? Start your 14-day trial today.

Note: The instructions in this guide are primarily web only.Get switching information for mobile devices.

Comparison at a glance

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In Word... In Docs...*
Share your document using Microsoft SharePoint or OneDrive

Share your document from Docs

  1. On a computer, go to Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
  2. Click the file you want to share.
  3. Click Share Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (6).

For more details, see Get started with Docs.

Share your document with Word users

  1. From a document, click File > Email as attachment.
  2. Under Attach as, choose the format (Word, PDF, etc.).
  3. Enter the email address, subject, and message.
  4. Click Send.

For more details, see Work with Microsoft Office files.
Collaborate in real-time in Word Online

Collaborate in real-time in Docs

When you share a document, depending on their access, collaborators can edit documents, add comments, and assign tasks.

  • To track changes, at the top right, click the Down arrow Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (7). From the menu, set the mode to Suggesting.
  • To add and assign a comment:
  1. On your computer, open a document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
  2. Highlight the text, images, cells, or slides you want to comment on.
  3. To add a comment, in the toolbar, click Add commentSwitch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (8).
  4. Type your comment.
  5. Click Comment.
Access version history in SharePoint or OneDrive

Access version history in Docs

  1. In Drive, open your file.
  2. Click FileSwitch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (9)Version historySwitch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (10)See version history.
  3. Click a timestamp to see a previous version of the file. Below the timestamp, you’ll see:
    • Names of people who edited the document.
    • A color next to each person’s name. The edits they made appear in that color.
  4. (Optional) To revert to this version, click Restore this version.

For more details, read See changes to your Drive files and folders.
Track changes in a document

Make suggestions and comments

Make suggestions in a document

Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (11) In the top corner, make sure you’re in Suggestingmode, which may also appear asSwitch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (12).
Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (13) To suggest an edit, simply begin typing where you think the edit should be made in the document. Your suggestions appear in a new color, and text you mark to delete or replace is crossed out (but not actually deleted until the document owner approves the suggestion).
Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (14)

The document’s owner will receive an email with your suggestions. When they click any suggestion, they can Accept Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (15) or Reject Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (16) it.

Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (17)

Add and assign comments in a document

  1. In Docs, Sheets, or Slides, select the text you'd like to comment on.
  2. Click Add comment Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (18).
  3. Enter your comment in the box.
  4. (Optional) To direct your task or comment to a specific person, enter a plus sign (+) followed by their email address. You can add as many people as you want.Each person will get an email with your comment and a link to the file.
  5. (Optional) To assign the comment to a specific person, check the Assign to box.
  6. Click Comment or Assign.

Note: If a file reaches the maximum number of comments, you can make a copy of the file without copying over any comments.
Open a Word document

Open a Word document

  1. In Drive, double-click a Word file.

    A preview of your file opens.

  2. At the top, click Open with Google Docs.

Any changes you make are saved to the original Microsoft Office file.

For more details, see Work with Microsoft Office files.
Access a document offline in OneDrive

Access a document offline in Drive

  1. Install the Google Docs Offline extension.
  2. In Drive, click SettingsSwitch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (19)Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (20)Settings.
  3. In the Offline section, check the Create, open and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline box.
  4. Click Done.
  5. Right-click a file and turn on Available offline.

To learn how to access files offline from your desktop or mobile, see Access stored Drive files without the internet.
Save a document automatically in SharePoint or OneDrive or turn on AutoRecover

Save a document automatically in Drive

Your document saves automatically in Drive as you work, so you don’t need to click Save.
Insert pictures in your document

Add images to your document

You can drag and drop images from your computer into your document. Or, click InsertSwitch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (21)Image and choose an image from Google Drive, Google Photos, the web, and more. With Docs, you can crop and recolor your images, or get suggestions for images using the Explore tool. Learn more about adding and editing images.

You can also add an image watermark to your document. For more details, see Add an image watermark.
Add an Excel chart to your document

Add a Sheets chart to your document

  1. In Sheets, select the chart you want to copy.
  2. At the top right, click More Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (22)Switch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (23)Copy chart.
  3. In Docs, right-clickSwitch from Microsoft Word to Google Docs (24)Paste.
  4. Click Paste.

For more details, see Insert and edit charts.

*Note: The instructions in this guide are primarily web only. Get switching information for mobile devices.

Related topics

To start using Docs, or get troubleshooting help, try these guides instead:


Google, Google Workspace, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. All other company and product names are trademarks of the companieswith which they are associated.

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