Open Word files in Google Docs & download as Word or PDF

You can open, edit and share Microsoft Word files without installing Word. When you are done, download any document as a Word or PDF file.

Open a Word file

Upload the file to Google Drive first. See upload files to Google Drive if you need help.

1. In Google Drive, double-click the Word file.
2. It opens in Google Docs with a .DOCX badge next to the name. This means it is still a Word file.
3. Edit it as normal. Changes are saved in Word format, so the file stays a .docx.

Convert a Word file to Google Docs

Converting creates a separate Google Docs copy and leaves the original Word file as it is.

1. Open the Word file in Google Docs.
2. Click File > Save as Google Docs.
3. Google Docs makes a copy in Google Docs format and opens it. The copy has no .DOCX badge. Work in this copy from now on.

Tracked changes in the Word file become suggestions in Google Docs. To convert every Word file you upload automatically, open Drive Settings and tick Convert uploads to Google Docs editor format.

Download as Word or PDF

Download a copy when you need to email a file or submit it to a portal.

1. Open the document in Google Docs.
2. Click File > Download.
3. Choose the format you need:
   • Microsoft Word (.docx) for someone who will edit it in Word.
   • PDF Document (.pdf) for quotations, letters and anything that should not be changed.

The file downloads to your computer. The copy in Drive does not change.

Turn a PDF into an editable document

Google Docs can read the text from a PDF or a picture of a page, so you can edit it.

1. In Google Drive, right-click the PDF.
2. Click Open with > Google Docs.
3. A new Google Docs file opens with the text from the PDF.

This works best on clear, typed pages. Check the result carefully, because tables and layout are often lost.

Still stuck

WhatsApp our support team at +60 16-916 3324.

Common issues

Should I keep the file as Word or convert it?

Keep it as Word if you will send it back to someone who uses Microsoft Word. Convert it with File > Save as Google Docs if your team will keep working on it in Google Docs, because some features, such as Gemini, work best on Google Docs files.

Will my Word layout look exactly the same?

Most text, tables and images carry over, but complex layouts can move slightly. Macros do not run, and charts or videos embedded in the Word file become pictures. Check the layout before you send the file out.

The Word file asks for a password. What do I do?

Type the password and choose Preview to read it, or Edit to work on it. Choosing Edit removes the password for everyone who has access, so only do this if Drive sharing is enough protection.

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