Open Microsoft Office Files Directly in Google Docs by Default Follow

Introduction:

This article explains how to configure your computer to open Microsoft Office files in Google Docs by default when you double-click them. This eliminates the need to manually upload and convert files.

Step 1: Install the Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides Extension

1. Open the Google Chrome browser.
2. Go to the Chrome Web Store: chrome.google.com/webstore
3. Search for "Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides."
4. Click on the extension provided by Google.
5. Click the "Add to Chrome" button.
6. Confirm the installation by clicking "Add extension."

Step 2: Set Google Chrome as the Default Application for Microsoft Office Files

Now, you'll need to configure your operating system to open Office files with Google Chrome. The steps vary depending on your operating system:

macOS:

1. Locate a Microsoft Office file (e.g., a .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx file) on your Mac.
2. Right-click (or Control-click) on the file.
3. Select "Get Info."
4. In the "Open with:" section, click the dropdown menu.
5. Select "Google Chrome." If Chrome is not listed, select "Other..." and navigate to your Applications folder to select Google Chrome.
6. Click the "Change All..." button.
7. Confirm the change by clicking "Continue."
8. Repeat these steps for other Microsoft Office file types (.xlsx, .pptx, etc.).

Windows:

1. Locate a Microsoft Office file (e.g., a .docx, .xlsx, or .pptx file) on your Windows computer.
2. Right-click on the file.
3. Select "Open with" and then "Choose another app."
4. If Google Chrome is listed, select it and check the box that says "Always use this app to open .[file extension] files."
5. If Google Chrome is not listed, click "More apps" and scroll down to the bottom and click "Look for another app on this PC."
6. Navigate to the location where Google Chrome is installed (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe).
7. Select chrome.exe and click "Open."
8. Make sure the "Always use this app to open .[file extension] files" box is checked.
9. Click "OK."
10. Repeat these steps for other Microsoft Office file types (.xlsx, .pptx, etc.).

ChromeOS:

ChromeOS is designed to work seamlessly with Google services. Therefore, in most cases, the "Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides" extension will automatically handle opening Office files. However, if you encounter any issues:

1. Ensure the "Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides" extension is installed.
2. When you open a Microsoft Office file, ChromeOS should automatically open it in Google Docs. If it doesn't, right-click the file and select "Open with" and choose "Google Chrome."
3. If this is your first time opening the file, ChromeOS will prompt you to save the file to Google Drive, confirm and continue.
4. ChromeOS handles most of these file associations automatically, so manual configuration might not be needed.

Testing the Configuration:

1. Locate a Microsoft Office file on your computer.
2. Double-click the file.
3. The file should open in a new tab in Google Chrome, displaying it in Google Docs (or Sheets or Slides, depending on the file type).

Troubleshooting:

• Extension Not Working: If the files are not opening correctly, ensure the "Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides" extension is enabled in Chrome.
• File Association Issues: If you accidentally set the wrong application as the default, repeat the steps for your operating system to correct the file association.
• Google Account Issues: Make sure you are logged into your Google account in Chrome.
• File Upload Issues: If the file does not load, make sure that you have internet access.

Conclusion:

By following these steps, you can streamline your workflow by opening Microsoft Office files directly in Google Docs by default. This saves time and simplifies the process of collaborating and editing documents.