Use Microsoft Office to Create and Edit Google Docs Documents Offline

Google docs is one of the best cloud based office suits available and I regularly use it for writing articles, gathering data, writing blog posts, creating presentations, charts and many more things. The only problem with Google docs is that you need an Internet connection to create the documents, which might not be available if you are working from anyone else’s computer.

I also love using Microsoft office 2007 and was looking for a solution which could integrate both these services into one interface. I would want an app which lets me create, edit and manage Google docs documents offline, and that too with the very wonderful Microsoft Office.

Problems with Creating and Editing Google Docs Documents Offline

Google Gears (support discontinued): There was a neat workaround – using Google gears to create Google docs documents offline and then synching the whole process ( just like using Gmail offline) . But sadly, Google docs has discontinued support of Google gears some time back.

Outlook Integration, Requires Internet connection: The harmony Google docs plugin beautifully integrates with Microsoft Outlook, thus allowing you to create and edit Google docs documents from the email client. But then again, it’s not an offline solution and you need an active internet connection to fetch the documents in the email client itself.

Other Desktop Tools to Create Google Docs Documents: None of the desktop applications can create Google Docs documents offline and later sync them with your Google account. This includes Nocs, Google.me and the very popular GmDesk.

Create Office Documents From Ms office and Sync it with Google Docs

With OffiSync, you can create office documents in Microsoft office as you normally do (with or without internet). Later, hit the Sync button and the selected document is uploaded to your Google docs account. Following are the steps involved to configure OffiSync and Microsoft office 2007:

1. Download OffiSync and install the application. The application requires Microsoft  .NET framework and Office SP2 to be installed in your system. If you do not have them installed, the Offisync Installer will handle it.

2. Open Microsoft Word and go to the “Offisync” tab. Enter your Google account credentials, multiple accounts are supported.

3. When you are finished creating the document, click the save button and the document will be uploaded to your Google docs account.

Document Collaboration: OffiSync supports document collaboration as well,  you can add collaborators and contributors by clikcing the “Dashboard” link under OffiSync tab.

Adding collaborators and viewers

The collaboration takes place in real time and any changes made by collaborators will be reflected in the document, in your desktop. You do not have to download the document and see the final copy again and again.

Sharing the document: If you want to share the document with your friends, click the “Share” button and enter the email address of the person. You can also copy the link of the document right from Ms-office and use it elsewhere.

Share the Document via Email or Web link

OffiSync also lets you search Google for and you can perform web and image search directly within Microsoft office. But unlike creating documents, the web search feature is not possible offline.

Overall, OffiSync is the best application if you want a desktop tool to create and manage Google docs documents. Watch the following video screencast to see OffiSync in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNW3R9HSxl4`

Related: Sync Google Docs documents from desktop