Following the web last year and Android in September, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for iOS can now edit Office files.
This capability is pitched as bringing the “collaborative and assistive features of Google Workspace to your Microsoft Office files” in a familiar interface. For example, an organization might still receive Word documents from clients and other sources, but otherwise use Google’s productivity tools for all internal work. In coming to mobile, users don’t need to download another app. Three key aspects are touted:
- Allows you to edit, comment, and collaborate on Microsoft Office files using Google Docs’, Sheets’, and Slides’ powerful real-time collaboration tools.
- Improves sharing options, improves sharing controls, and reduces the need to download and email file attachments.
- Streamlines workflows by reducing the need to convert file types.
This editing functionality replaces the previous Office Compatibility Mode (Quickoffice), which only had basic features. The following Microsoft file types are supported:
- Word: .doc, .docx, .dot
- Excel: .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm (macro enabled Excel files), .xlt
- Powerpoint: .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .pot
The ability to edit Office documents in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides for iOS is already rolled out today on both personal and enterprise accounts:
Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus as well as G Suite Basic, Business, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits customers
More about Google Docs:
- Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides will count toward storage caps, new auto-delete policies announced
- Drive now directly opens Office files in editing mode on the web
- New Google Workspace icons rolling out — Drive, Gmail, Chat, Meet, Docs, Calendar, & Keep
- Google Drive using dynamic emails to let you grant file access directly in Gmail
- Docs, Sheets, and Slides picking up Add-ons side panel
Author: Abner Li
Source: 9TO5Google
