Google Docs to Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word offers many, if not all, of the same tools as Docs, with more sophisticated features. While its interface is slightly different from Google Docs, it will become just as easy to navigate after a couple of uses.

Basic Functionality

Microsoft Word has both desktop capabilities as well as downloadable software. It has a built-in dictionary for spell checking, text-level features such as bold, underlines, italics, and strike-through, and page-level features such as indentation, paragraphing, and justification. Word is compatible with many other programs, the most common being the other Microsoft Office applications.

Transferring a Google Doc to Microsoft Word

A Google Document is easily downloadable and transferrable to Microsoft Word

1. Open the Google Doc file you wish to convert

2. Go to File → Download → Microsoft Word (.docx).

3. Save the file to your preferred location on your computer.

4. Open the file in Microsoft Word; you should be able to edit and save the file. There should be few, if any, changes to your document.

The .docx represents the file type being a Microsoft Word formatted document.

Similar Workflows

• Collaboration:

  • Collaboration features are available in real-time. Multiple users can work on the same document simultaneously, just like Google Docs.

• User Interface:

  • The user interface for Docs is clean and straightforward. It's user-friendly, especially for those who prefer a simpler experience. Similarly, Microsoft Word is easy to navigate and adapt to, offering the same basic features as Docs in addition to extensive formatting options and advanced features.

• Features and Functionality:

  • Microsoft Word offers a wide range of formatting options, extensive templates, advanced page layout tools, and powerful editing capabilities. It also does well in covering essential word processing needs with an emphasis on collaboration that Google Docs offers. Word has more templating and layout options.

• Integration

  • Microsoft Word integrates with the Microsoft 365 suite just as well as Google Docs does with the Google Suite. You can easily copy and paste Excel charts and data into your Word document. Word also has better integration capabilities with third-party applications. Oftentimes, Google Docs need to be saved as Word documents to be readable or submittable in certain situations. With Word, the original copy works just fine.

• Offline Capabilities

  • Both Word and Docs have offline editing capabilities that can be turned on through the application's settings. This allows the document to be modified and saved without the need for Wifi or another connectivity option.

Core Differences

Microsoft Word has a large number of editing features that allow for complete control over your document’s visuals. It’s suitable for the more traditional document creator, as well as today’s modern content creator. Google Docs has fewer features than Microsoft Word. It still allows you to style text, add images, tables, and page numbers, and use similar paragraph styling, but it is far more basic.