Editing Microsoft Office files in Google Docs is a pain. You can view them there, but you’ve previously had to convert them to Google’s format before you could edit, comment, and collaborate inside Docs. That’s about to change: Google just announced that it’s adding native support for Microsoft’s Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats — like .docx, .xls, and .ppt — which will let you do real-time collaboration in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Google Docs will let you natively edit Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files soon
What is docx may never die
What is docx may never die
is a senior editor and founding member of The Verge who covers gadgets, games, and toys. He spent 15 years editing the likes of CNET, Gizmodo, and Engadget.
This morning, Google announced support would be coming to the commercial versions of those apps right now, namely G Suite, but the company now tells The Verge they’re coming to regular users too, as soon as this month. G Suite customers should see support start to roll out in April or May, depending on which release schedule your company prefers.
Here’s the full list of supported filetypes, according to Google:
Word files: .doc, .docx, .dot
Excel files: .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm (macro enabled Excel files), .xlt
Powerpoint files: .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .pot
Yesterday, Google announced that it would let you create and collaborate on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files through Dropbox Business as well.
Update, 7:15 PM ET: Added that native support for Office files is coming to regular users of Google Docs, Sheets and Slides as well.
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