The recent Google Workspace update allows you to work collaboratively with Microsoft Office files offline.

Google has unveiled a new feature for its productivity tools that could tempt users away from Microsoft Office 365.

Microsoft revealed in the new entry that users will soon be able to edit Microsoft Office files from within Google Workspace without any internet connection.

Google claims users can edit, comment, and collaborate on Office files using Docs, Sheets, and Slides even if their device is offline. Any modifications made to files while offline will sync to Drive once it is reconnected. The feature extends Google Workspace collaboration capabilities to Microsoft Office files.

Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365

Google has battled directly with Microsoft in the office software genre since the introduction of G Suite in 2006. Google is going up against its infamous competitor which contains the likes of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and so on.

One of the distinguishing elements of Microsoft’s offering is the close integration of apps and services. This extends to the Windows operating system which is used by the majority of corporate computers.

Google is beating its competition with the real-time collaboration approach. In which software is delivered through the cloud. It has proven to be of critical significance since the change to remote and hybrid work.

The recent statistics revealed a substantial difference that continues to exist between the two productivity suits. Almost 58 %of businesses are opting for Microsoft 365 and 15 % of businesses prefer Google Workspace.

Even though the poll was limited to the United States, the conclusions are corroborated by worldwide financial data. Google’s cloud services section under which Workspace falls generated $5 billion in revenue in Q1 2022, whereas Microsoft’s productivity section generated $15 billion.

To get ahead Google has had to come up with innovative methods to make its suite more appealing to individuals already immersed in the Microsoft environment.

For example, since the outbreak, the company has tried to create new synergies between its numerous services. Google is attempting to provide a vastly integrated user experience that can compete with Microsoft offerings.

Meanwhile, the most recent upgrade focuses on making the shift between Microsoft and Google services easier. While Workspace has long enabled users to import Office documents, the ability to edit while offline will provide additional reassurance. People who continuously need to work with Word, Doc, Sheet, Excel, Slides, and PowerPoint files when dealing with customers and partners will welcome this feature.