Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: How to Open a Google Docs File in Google Docs Editor
• Method 2 of 4: How to open a file created in Google Docs in Microsoft Word
• Method 3 of 4: How to open a Microsoft Word document in Google Docs
• Method 4 of 4: How to Create a New File in Google Docs
• Tips

Google Docs is an online editor that lets you create and edit text documents and store them online. This editor supports working with Microsoft Word documents, and you need a Google account to use it. In this article, we'll show you how to open files created in Google Docs in Google Docs editor and Microsoft Word, as well as how to open Word documents in Google Docs.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: How to Open a Google Docs File in Google Docs Editor

1. 1 Find the file created in Google Docs. To view such a file (its extension is ".gdoc"), you need to open it in the Google Docs editor. You can do this on the Google Docs website or mobile app.
   • If the file is attached to an email, click the email attachment to download the file to your computer.
   • If the email says “[the user] suggested editing the document,” simply click “Open in Google Docs” to view and edit the file.
2. 2 Download the Google Docs app if you are using a mobile device. On iPhone / iPad, the application can be found in the App Store, and on an Android device in the Play Store.
3. 3 Double click on the file to open it in Google Docs.
   • On a computer, the document opens in the main web browser, and on a mobile device, it opens in the Google Docs app.
   • If you are not already signed in to your Google account, Google Docs Editor will prompt you to do so.

Method 2 of 4: How to open a file created in Google Docs in Microsoft Word

1. 1 Open the document in Google Docs. To be able to open files created in Google Docs in Microsoft Word, you need to download such files to your computer in DOCX format.
   • If you are not logged in yet, you will be prompted to do so.
   • If you're using the Google Docs app on a mobile device, open the document in that app.
2. 2 Click File> Download As. Several options will be displayed.
   • In the Google Docs mobile app, tap the ⋮ icon and select Share & Export.
3. 3 Select "Microsoft Word". Then select a folder to save the document.
   • In the mobile app, select "Save As Word".
4. 4 Start Microsoft Word. This can be done on a computer or mobile device.
   • If you're using Word Online, first upload your document to OneDrive. Go to https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-us/, click Upload> Files, and then find the document you want.
5. 5 Click on Ctrl+O (Windows) or ⌘ Command+O (Mac), and then double-click the document you want. The document created in Google Docs will open in Word.
   • In Word Online, click Open from OneDrive to locate the file you want.
   • In the Word mobile app, tap the folder-shaped icon, and then select a file.

Method 3 of 4: How to open a Microsoft Word document in Google Docs

1. 1 Start Google Chrome. Use this method to open a Word file in Google Docs. The Google Chrome web browser must be installed on your computer.
   • If you're using the Google Docs app, you don't need to install anything to open Word files. Just double-click a file to open it in Google Docs.
2. 2 Open the extension page Editing Office Files for Chrome. Install this extension to use this method.
3. 3 Click Install.
4. 4 Click Install Extension. The extension will be installed in Chrome.
5. 5 Double-click the Word file to open it in Google Docs. If the document was sent to you as an email attachment, or if it is stored in Google Drive, you will be able to open and save the document in its original form.
   • If the file is on your computer, first upload it to your Google Drive.

Method 4 of 4: How to Create a New File in Google Docs

1. 1 Create a Google account. It is required to use Google Docs. If you don't have a Google account, create one.
   • If you are using a mobile device, install the Google Docs app. On iPhone / iPad, the application can be found in the App Store, and on an Android device in the Play Store.
2. 2 Click on the nine squares icon in the upper right corner of the screen Google.com, and then select "Disk" from the menu. You will be taken to the Google Drive page.
   • In the mobile application, click on the "+" icon.
3. 3 Click New> Google Docs. A new (blank) document will open in Google Docs.
   • On your mobile device, tap New Document.
   • Files in Google Docs are saved automatically, so you don't need to click the Save button when you're done with your document.

Tips

• Google Slides is the free equivalent of Microsoft PowerPoint, and Google Sheets is the equivalent of Microsoft Excel. These programs can be used in the same way as Google Docs.
• To open a file created in Google Docs in your computer's file browser (such as Finder or Windows Explorer), double-click the file. Your main web browser will launch and you will be prompted to sign in to your Google account.
• To name the file in the online version of Google Docs, click on the "New Document" line, and then enter a name. On the mobile app, tap the ⋮ icon and then tap New Document.