Offline syncing available for opened Microsoft Office documents

What’s changing

In 2019, we announced Office editing to make it easier to work with Microsoft Office files in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides and launched better features allowing you to work anywhere with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides in offline mode. Starting today, you can work offline with Microsoft Office files on your desktop. 

Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why you’d use it 

This feature brings the collaboration benefits of Google Workspace to Microsoft Office files. At times when your device is offline, you’re now able to edit, comment, and collaborate on Office files using Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Any changes made to files while offline will then sync to Drive once you are connected again. 

Additional details

This change only applies to files that have already been opened in Office editing mode. 

Getting started 

• Admins: Offline access is allowed by default. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting up offline access to Docs editors. 
• End users: Offline access must be enabled by the user. Visit the Help Center to learn more about enabling offline access and working on Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides offline. 

Rollout pace 

• Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on June 27, 2022 

Availability 

• Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
• Available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

• Google Workspace Admin Help: Set up offline access to Docs editors 
• Google Help: Work with Office files using Office editing 
• Google Help: Work on Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides offline 
• Google Workspace Updates Blog: Work anywhere with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides in new offline mode 
• Google Workspace Updates Blog: Office editing makes it easier to work with Office files in Docs, Sheets, and Slides 

Roadmap 

• This feature was listed as an upcoming release.

Google Workspace Updates