Google Tip Top Tip: How to Work Offline in Google Workspace

Many people believe that by using Google Workspace as your primary collaboration and productivity platform, you can only work online (when you have an internet connection). However, this is not always the case when it comes to some of Google’s tools…

If you are not connected to the internet, you can still create, view and edit files in the following tools:

• Google Docs
• Google Sheets
• Google Slides

There is a function ‘Offline access’ that you can turn on while you still have an internet connection, allowing you to continue working when you’re offline.

How to turn on offline access:

1. Open a Google Chrome browser 
2. Install and turn on the Google Docs Offline Chrome extension
3. Open Google Drive > click Settings in the top right corner
4. Turn on ‘Offline setting’
5. Open a Doc, Sheet or Slide in your Chrome browser

Make specific files available offline:

1. Follow the steps above 
2. On the file that you want to use offline, click More
3. Click Available offline
4. A tick will appear in the bottom-left corner to show that the file is available offline

Tip: You can also make a file available offline by opening a Google document, spreadsheet or presentation, and clicking File >  Make available offline

How to check if a document is ready for offline use:

1. On your computer, open a file in Docs, Sheets or Slides
2. Click See document status

Tip: If your document is not ready to edit offline, an explanation will appear.

Troubleshooting tips:

• Do not use private browsing (incognito) 
• Make sure you have available space on your device to save your files 
• If you want to use offline access for multiple accounts, make sure you are signed in to the right profile

Wanting to learn more about the features of Google Workspace? Our Training Experts provide courses to enable you to make best use of Google Workspace. Find out more here or contact us for a free chat.