Google Docs
Benefits of Google Docs over Microsoft Word
Nowadays, writers and editors are facing the dilemma to choose between Google Docs and Microsoft Word, the two popular word processors. Can Google Docs offer better functionality and tools for writing? Let’s take a look at the advantages of Google Docs over MS Word.
What is Google Docs?
The free word processing program Google Docs is completely compatible with Microsoft Word and is part of Google's online office suite, G Suite. Users can collaborate with coworkers in real-time while creating, viewing, and editing documents online using any device, anywhere.
MS Word vs Google Docs
For decades, Microsoft Word was the best word processor for writers worldwide. Since its advent as the first-ever word-processing tool in the 1980s, generations of writers have grown up with it. It’s followed them from school, to university, and even right into the newsroom as well as other workplaces.
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But with the advancement of technology, more collaborative and freely available online tools have emerged on the market. Some new word processors offer up greater efficiency, flexibility, collaborative features, and benefits that Microsoft has simply yet to provide.
For instance, Google Docs is getting huge popularity day by day. G Suite (including Google Docs) has more than two billion active monthly subscribers. This number is increasing at a great pace.
Google Docs can support the writer, editor, or proofreader collaboration on the same material at a time. It mounts over the old time-consuming practice of "back-and-forth" emailing revisions done in the case of MS Word documents. Additional tools for article authoring are available through a variety of Google Chrome extensions, which will help you further optimize your editorial workflow.
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Let's examine some of the other significant advantages Google Docs can offer to a writer, proofreader, or editor's daily tasks.
What are the Advantages of Google Docs over MS Word?
1. Microsoft Word Compatibility
With the help of the Chrome extension, you can quickly open and edit Microsoft Word documents right in Google Docs. Additionally, you may download your Google doc into a Word document (.docx) and vice versa without worrying about formatting changes.
2. Works Through Chrome Extensions
Google Chrome extensions that you download from the Chrome Web Store can also give Google Docs new functionality. By doing so, you'll be able to customize the user experience and give your document new features and functionality.
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3. Ease of collaboration
Teams may easily access and update the same document simultaneously with Google Docs, eliminating any doubt as to which file has the most recent version. Even without a Google account, collaborators can see and modify shared Google documents.
Because of its interactive features, you may select precisely who can make changes to your work and add or delete collaborators by using the Collaborate tab. Adding a comment with "+" their email address will send them a notification, or you can interact with people from inside any document.
from beginning to end a Google Doc is continuously and automatically stored during the entire process of writing and editing. Edits can be undone and viewed in time-sensitive order, comments can be accepted or refused, and all of these features are available in Google Docs.
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4. Accessible from Various Devices
You don't have to worry about emailing your work to yourself and finding it later using Google Docs because everything is kept in the cloud. You can access your document at any time from any device by logging into your Google account.
This increases the degree of flexibility in your style of work as well as your professional life. While on the go, you can write and edit. Examine a section on your phone while riding the train or bus, then complete it when you reach to your office computer. Additionally, the fact that files are not kept on your computer saves RAM.
5. Automated Backup
You never have to worry about files disappearing again because all changes are automatically synced across devices and saved as you write or edit. In order to review previous edits to your document and who made them, you may also view its "revision history."
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6. Diverse Useful Features.
Google Docs is packed with effective tools for producing articles. For instance, voice typing (accessible via Tools > Voice typing) is a straightforward formatting feature for formatting copied and pasted text fast.
It also assists the writer or editor in the selection of fonts available for import from Google Fonts, and bookmarks for less scrolling (accessible via Insert > Bookmark). These are just a few of the popular tools that Google Docs includes to support your best work.
7. Free of Cost
Google Docs is a cost-free Word Processor, in contrast to other word processing programs like Microsoft Word. To use G Suite, all you need to do is create a Google account by generating a @gmail email address.
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How to use Google Documents
-You would need to have a Google account to use Google Docs.
-Depending on your device, there are a few ways to access Google Docs after signing in. The app may be needed to be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store.
-Open Google Chrome if you already have an account and are using a computer. The Google Apps icon may be seen in the top right corner.
- Select Google Documents from the selection menu that appears when you click the Google Apps icon.
- Click on the blank page to start a new document and start writing your content!
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Google Docs Benefits At a Glance
- A free tool.
- Google Cloud Storage makes the doc accessible from anywhere thanks to.
- Collaborates in real-time.
- The system can track document changes automatically, edit document history, and go back to any prior document version.
- Auto-saving.
- Work offline mode.
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- Offers strong document editing options and tools.
- Besides writing, it allows voice-typing
- Enriched with diverse font varieties.
- Tagging in the comment enables users to monitor particular changes.
- Visibility is restricted to those with the proper access.
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2 years ago