Quick Info
  • You can use Google Docs without internet connectivity by enabling the Google Docs Offline extension.
  • Alternatively, you can export Google Docs files in the .docx format and use them offline in Microsoft Word.
  • Another option is to install the Drive for Desktop and stream or mirror files on Windows.

Method 1: Enable Offline Access

To be able to use Google Docs offline, you will first need to enable offline access for the file you want to use.

  1. Launch Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge and install the Google Docs Offline extension from this page. Make sure you are not using incognito mode.
  2. Sign in to Google Drive, click on the gear icon on the top right, and then click on 'Settings'.
  1. Scroll down to the 'Offline' section and click on the check box there to enable it.

Method 2: Use Google Docs offline

  1. To use Google Docs offline, open Google Drive again and navigate to the file you want to use offline.
  2. Right-click on the three dots next to it and then click on 'Make available offline'. Now, you will be able to edit the file even when you don't have an internet connection.
  1. You can check whether you can edit a Google Docs file offline by clicking on the three dots next to it. If the circle with a checkmark appears shaded, you can edit the file offline. You can also disable offline access from here.
  1. You can also preview offline files by going to the Google Drive home page and then clicking on the circle with a checkmark icon at the top right.
Note: When you edit a Google Docs file offline, changes will take effect when you connect to the internet next time. You can see the edits made to a file in the version history.

Method 3: Using Drive for Desktop

You can also use Drive for Desktop to access and edit Google Docs files offline.

  1. Visit the Drive for Desktop page and click on the 'Download Drive for desktop' button.
  1. Wait until the application is downloaded and then open it. Then click on the 'Install' button to install it.
  1. Once the program is installed, click on the 'Launch' button.
  1. Sign in to your Google account that contains the Google Docs files you want to use offline.
  1. Once you've signed in, click on 'Skip' and then on the 'Open Drive' button.
  1. In the pop-up that appears, click on the gear icon and then on 'Preferences'.
  1. Click on 'Google Drive' on the left and then you can choose whether to stream or mirror your files by clicking on the respective option. Streaming files lets you choose which files you can access offline while mirroring them stores a copy of all files on your PC.

Method 4: Export Google Docs document

An alternative to enabling offline access in Google Docs would be to export it and use it in Microsoft Word, especially if you are more familiar with the latter.

  1. Open the Google Docs file you want to use offline and click on the File menu at the top left.
  1. Go to 'Download' and then click on 'Microsoft Word (.docx)'.
  1. Once the file is downloaded, you can open and edit it in Microsoft Word.

Things to know

  • When you use 'Drive for Desktop' to mirror your Google Docs files, they will always be available offline on your PC. In contrast, streamed files are removed when you lose internet access.
  • Changes that you make to files later on offline or online will replace earlier changes to the files.
  • Certain features will not be available when you use Google Docs offline. For instance, you won't be able to see when other users with whom files are shared are making changes to the files.
  • Similarly, spellcheck, adding images, and using add-ons will not be available when you use Google Docs files offline.
  • To share Google Docs offline files with others, you will have to go back online.