How to Move Word Files to Google Docs?

To create or edit professional documents, many use MS Word. However, when users switch to different platforms like Google Docs (Google Workspace), they also have to move their Word documents. In this blog, I will explain how you can transfer from Word to Google Docs with simple methods.

What are the Benefits of Transferring Word Documents to Google Docs?

• Moving your professional documents to Google offers you real-time collaboration. You can collaborate with other team members easily.
• Word file is a desktop software, whereas Google Docs is a web app. Moving your local files to Google allows you to access your data anytime and anywhere.
• Google Docs is completely free. It integrates with Google Workspace, which helps you in your work.
• You can easily share your document with internal or external users or publish it to the web.
• Anyone can add comments or mention suggestions within the document for feedback.
• Google Docs offers you offline support to edit your documents when you don’t have an internet connection.

Points that You Must Know During Word to Google Docs Process

• One of the major issues with moving your Word document to Google Docs is formatting or layout. As both use different fonts, margin layout changes, and section breaks when Google Docs converts your Word file.
• Advanced elements and features that are used in Word are not applicable in Google Docs. So, if you use any highly advanced elements in your document, change them into simple elements.
• Google Docs supports DOCX and DOC files just like Word documents.
• There is a difference between uploading and converting your Word file. Uploading your Word file means you are moving your file to Google Drive. Whereas converting means you are changing the Word format to the Google Docs format.
• If you are manually transferring your file, you have to format your file once you have moved it.

Upload Word File Then Convert Them As Google Docs File

If you want your documents in native Google Docs format, follow the steps below.

1. Go to your Google Drive on a web browser. Make sure you log in to your account.
2. Click the + New button in the top-left corner. Select the File upload button.
3. Browse your DOCX file (Word file) and open it to upload it.
4. After uploading the file, double-click the file that you have just uploaded.
5. Click the File option and select Save as Google Docs.

Move Word File Directly to Google Docs

There is another manual way to transfer from Word to Google Docs. This one is direct and simple.

1. Open Google Docs and click Blank document or open an existing file.
2. Click the File button and select the Open button.
3. Choose Upload, then open your Word file.

Now, your file opens as a Google Doc, and it is ready for collaboration.

Automatic Conversion from Word to Google Docs

If your Google Drive version supports this option, then you can automatically convert your Word files into Google Docs format during upload.

1. In your Google Drive, go to Settings by clicking the gear icon.
2. Choose Settings and find the Convert Uploads section.
3. Select Convert uploaded files to Google Docs editor format. Press Done.
4. Now, when you upload your Word file, Google Drive automatically converts it to a native Google Doc and saves it.

This setting is for future uploads. It does not apply to those files that are already uploaded to the Drive.

Common Issues and Their Solutions

Formatting looks different After Migration

Some elements of a Word file are not supported by Google Docs. That’s why you are seeing a formatting issue. To fix it, before you move your file, review your Word document once and change any advanced elements into simple ones.

After the process, make sure you check your file in Google Docs for any formatting issues. If there is, fix them.

Graphics or images missing or misplaced

This is because Google Docs does not support certain graphic formats like SVG. So, after you have moved the files, reinsert the images as Google-supported files like JPG, PNG, etc.

Can’t find the Open with Google Docs option

The reason behind this issue is that the file is not fully uploaded or the browser is not refreshed. For this, refresh your browser and upload your file again. Wait for the upload to finish.

Unable to transfer older Doc files

This is because the legacy files have limited compatibility. So, open the file in Microsoft Word and then convert it to DOCX file. Upload this file in Google Docs.

It takes too much time to migrate Word files

You have a large file with multiple images and complex formatting. So, it takes time to move them. To prevent this, reduce the size of the file by removing unnecessary formatting, compress the image, or split the large document into multiple files.

Transfer Word Documents to Google Docs with Professional Software

Manual methods work when you have few files that you want to move, but if you have thousands of files and you use professional Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace accounts. In that case, use software like SysTools OneDrive to Google Drive Migration Tool. Here’s how you can use the tool.

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Steps for Using the Software

1. Download and run the tool on your machine.
   
2. Select Microsoft 365 as the source and G Suite as the destination.
   
3. Choose Documents and press Transfer Permissions. From the Work selection.
   
4. Add account details of both the source and destination accounts. Validate them.
   
5. Insert user accounts by automatically fetching or manually importing them. Click Start Migration.
   

To Conclude

Many users want to transfer from Word to Google Docs. Therefore, in this blog, I have explained how you can move your documents in simple ways. The manual options are free and simple, but it only be used for a few files. For bulk migration, professional software is great.