Google has started giving users the ability to edit their Google Documents in an offline mode. Google Documents, part of Google's free online suite of office software, is a word processing application that allows you to create, view and edit documents as well as import Microsoft Word files, .txt and other popular document formats. The rest of the suite, accessible from within your browser, includes presentation (similar to
PowerPoint and Apple's Keynote) and spreadsheet software.
What does the new offline mode mean? After you enable the feature, your documents will automatically be downloaded to your desktop. Now, you'll still be able to make edits and changes to your documents within your browser even if you disconnect from the Web.
It sounds complex, but the basic idea is pretty simple. As soon as you reconnect to the Web, the two versions of the Google Document -- the one on Google's server and the one on your computer -- will automatically sync. Previously, you were only able to access your Google Documents when connected to the Internet. For more information and an additional explanation, check out Google's
video.
Google began rolling out access to a small group of users yesterday, but everyone with a Google account should have access within the next few weeks. Initially, users will only be able to use offline features with Google Documents, Google's free word-processor, but we expect
Spreadsheet and Presentation to have it soon enough. To see if you have access to the offline mode, go to docs.google.com and search for an "offline" link in the top-right of the screen. We think it's a pretty cool feature that will come in handy, particularly for anyone who frequently finds themselves outside of Wi-Fi hotspots (like on a plane).
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