What is Google Docs Offline?
Google Docs Offline is a desktop application designed to provide offline access and editing capabilities for Google's web-based document suite. It allows users to view, edit, and collaborate on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides without requiring an active internet connection.
The app downloads relevant Google Drive documents and folders onto the user's desktop computer or laptop device. Once downloaded, the files become available for offline access and editing just as if they were native desktop files. Any changes made to the files locally are saved within the app.
When an internet connection is reestablished, Google Docs Offline automatically syncs all changes back up to Google Drive. This keeps both the locally cached and cloud-hosted versions of the files in sync. The app also allows sharing with other Google users for real-time collaboration.
Key features include:
- Access Google files including Docs, Sheets, Slides without internet
- Make changes and edits to files while offline
- Auto-sync local file changes back up to Google Drive
- Share files and folders for invite-only access
- Supports collaboration with other users
- Available as Windows, Mac and Linux application
The app is intended for users who need to work on Google Drive files while offline or with spotty internet connections. It brings Google's web collaboration tools to the desktop for productivity anywhere.
Microsoft Word, Google Docs, WPS Office, Pages, LibreOffice - Writer, Nuclino, AbiWord, Etherpad, UpNote, Walling, Author, PiratePad, iBooks Author, Airstory, Apache OpenOffice Writer, Litewrite, Hive.js, SSuite Blue Velvet, SMASHDOCs, Etherpad.net are some alternatives to Google Docs Offline.