Google Docs: 7 advantages that will surprise you 🤩
Key Points
- Unlike Word, Docs doesn't require installation, so you can start working on your documents instantly from any compatible device. 🚀
- Docs offers a cleaner, better interface than Word, making it easier to work with your files. ✨
- You can easily share your Docs documents, and even invite others to collaborate with you! 🤝
Google Docs and Microsoft Word are both word processing tools, but you'll quickly notice the differences in how they work as soon as you use them. I prefer Docs over Word and will (probably) never use Microsoft's word processor again. Here's why. 😊
Docs No Installation Required
The best thing about Docs is that you don't need to install anything. It's a web-based office tool that lets you create, edit, and manage documents from any browser. Just select any device, open the browser, sign in to Google, and start creating the documents you want! 🌐
On the other hand, Word usually requires installation on your computer. You have to download the application installer, install the tool, and then launch it to create documents. Sometimes, you may also encounter problems installing or creating documents, something you can avoid by using Docs. 😉
It's important to mention that Word also has a web version, but it doesn't compare to the online version of Docs in terms of ease of use. For example, you can't work offline in the web version of Word. Additionally, the web version of Word doesn't offer the option to save your documents in as many file formats. 📂
Docs Has a Clean and Friendly Interface
Docs has a cleaner, easier-to-use interface than Word. As soon as you launch Docs, you're greeted with an interface that lists your recent documents and offers options for creating new ones. 👌
When you start a new document or edit an existing one, Docs has all the essential options available in your top toolbar. You can use these tools to format your document, add elements, and perform other actions. 🔧
With Word, you have the option to open recent documents and create new ones, but the interface is quite cluttered. Once you create or edit a document, facing a confusing toolbar can be frustrating. You have multiple tabs, each with different options. While this is useful for complex documents, it's not always what you need on a daily basis. 😵💫
Save your documents automatically
When you create a new document or edit an existing one, Docs automatically saves the changes you make. This ensures you don't lose your work if your internet connection drops or other errors occur. This autosave feature is enabled by default, so you don't need to activate it manually. 💾
On the other hand, Word only automatically saves documents in certain cases. The autosave option must be enabled manually, as it's disabled by default. Docs doesn't offer a Save button, while in Word you rely on that button to save your files.
Export your Documents to Various Formats
Docs allows you to download your prepared documents in many popular file formats, including, but not limited to, PDF, DOCX, and TXT. To save your document in one of these formats, simply navigate to your document, select File > Download, and select the desired format. You won't receive any confirmations or dialog boxes; the selected document will begin downloading in the chosen format to your computer. 📥
Word also allows you to download your documents in various formats, however, the process isn't as seamless. For example, the interface is cluttered, and the steps required to download the document in the chosen format aren't the most efficient. 😅
To export a file in Word, you need to click the File menu, then select Save As, then Browse, and finally choose your preferred file format from the drop-down menu (which includes formats you'll probably never use). 📁
If you have comments for the author of a document, Docs makes it super easy to add that feedback as a comment to the selected text. You can even mention people in the comments so they know the comment is for them! 💬
Word also offers the option to comment, but adding a comment isn't as convenient as it is in Docs. This is because comments often don't update in real time. Also, if you mention someone in a comment, they can't reply from their email (something that's possible with Docs). 📧
A Link Is All You Need to Access a Document
The great thing about Docs is how easy it is to share your documents with others. When you create a document in Google Docs, it's assigned a specific link. You can then share that link with others so they can access your document. You can define access levels, which means choosing who can view and edit your documents. 🔗
Word saves your documents locally on your computer, which means you have to transfer the document file to others so they can view and edit it. This can be cumbersome and much less convenient than what Docs offers. Additionally, the person you send the document to won't see any changes you've made after sending it, since manual sharing isn't real-time. 🚷
Invite Others to Collaborate with You
Docs lets you invite people to collaborate on your documents. You can invite others to edit your documents and see the changes in real time on your screen. Docs even shows other people's cursors when they're editing your document. This is a super useful and convenient feature for documents that require multiple people to collaborate. 👥
Word saves documents locally, so you can't have multiple people working on the same document at the same time. Even if you send the document to others, you won't see the changes they make until they send the file back to you. This feature is available in the web version of Word, but again, you'll be limited to the features that version offers. 📄
Work From Any Device
Last but not least, Docs works on almost all devices. You can access this word processor using a web browser on your computer. If you're on an iPhone or Android, you can download the Docs app for your device. Docs syncs all your changes in real time, meaning a change made to a document on the web will instantly appear in the mobile app, and vice versa. 📲
Word also offers a mobile app, but since the desktop app saves documents locally, you can't access those files on your phone. You'll need to somehow get those files to your mobile device to edit them. You have the option to use OneDrive to sync your files, but that's an extra step you'll need to set up before you start creating your documents. 🔄
As you can see, Docs is much easier and more convenient to use. If you've only been using Word as your word processor, give Docs a try and see how it works for you. 🎉
