What Is a Word When You Know Something but Forget What It Is

In contempo years, Microsoft Word and Google Docs have been quietly waging a war for the title of best word processor. While nigh of us accept been using Word for decades to draft everything from school essays to resumes to important piece of work documents, Google Docs web-based platform is a total game changer for editing and sharing documents in the connected historic period.

So which is better? That depends entirely on what you need from a word processing program or mobile app. Today we're going to cover the benefits and downsides of both Microsoft Word and Google Docs then you have the intel yous need to determine for yourself.

Learn more than about Give-and-take

Download our print-ready shortcut cheatsheet for Word.

How to employ and access Microsoft Word and Google Docs

You cannot purchase Microsoft Discussion as a standalone program.

It comes as part of the Microsoft 365 package (formerly called Function 365), which includes other programs like Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Admission.

Once you purchase this suite, you can only install Give-and-take on a select number of computers, depending on the plan level you choose.

And so if you install Word on your desktop, you'll demand to bump up your plan to get a re-create for your laptop, which can get pricey.

It wasn't until 2010 that Microsoft finally launched Give-and-take Online equally part of its Microsoft 365 package.

Though Word Online boasts enough features for casual users, information technology is non the total version of Word by whatever means.

Select ribbons and toolbars were removed from the online version to help it load and run faster. It offers a more than streamlined experience though information technology leaves others wanting more.

For case, Word Online isn't able to handle large or more complex documents and users find information technology clunkier to work around these bugs than using their regular Discussion program from the starting time.

All of that is different with Google.

As an cyberspace-based visitor, Google Docs started out as a cross-platform word processor that works entirely online.

You don't have to download any software or buy a suite of programs you don't want/need to use it.

Simply log in to your Google account from whatsoever browser and head over to docs.google.com.

That's it.

Unlike Microsoft Discussion, which can just be installed on Windows and Os X computers, you tin can utilise Google Docs from any calculator and browser, including:

• Windows
• Mac Os 10
• Linux
• Chrome Bone

The Google Docs app is available for both iOS and Android devices—but non on Windows-based phones like BlackBerry.

The Word app comes pre-installed on Windows Phone devices and as a complimentary (very blank) app for iOS and Android.

Our winner: Y'all can access the total version of Google Docs, with all its features, from any browser.

You have to purchase the entire Microsoft 365 software parcel only to receive a full version of Give-and-take. And the online version of Give-and-take lacks certain features which may render it useless for yous.

Unlike Microsoft Word, Google Docs is free to use…

Google Docs is free for the average user.

If yous want to purchase a "Business" version of Yard Suite, monthly plans outset at $five per user.

Information technology's going to price you more to get started with Microsoft Give-and-take.

You'll need to pay either a:

• Ane-time fee of $149.99
• Yearly fee of $69.99 / monthly fee of $half-dozen.99 (for an install on i calculator)
• Yearly fee of $99.99 / monthly fee of $9.99 (to install on up to v computers)

Business concern plans are priced differently.

Virtually of these packages include the desktop versions of all the Role apps and online access for their web-based counterparts.

Our winner: Yous can't beat free — Google takes the cake here.

… But free comes with limitations and a lack of control

We know Google Docs is entirely online.

You access your docs online, yous write and edit in-browser, and your documents are saved to your online Google Drive deject.

Just what happens when your net goes out thanks to a large thunderstorm?

Or Google's servers go down right before your huge AM presentation?

Though yous can work in Google's offline mode (after following a series of steps), yous can't normally access the platform when Google's servers are in chaos or when y'all lack Internet.

Google lets you check for outages using their Thou Suite Status Dashboard tool.

At the time of this screenshot, all the Google apps were running without problems:

Just when there's a service outage or reported service disruption, you'll run into a bar like in this example:

The most commonly reported problems with Google Drive, co-ordinate to Down Detector, include:

• Non being able to access files online (53%)
• Apps (similar Docs and Sheets) non loading (36%)
• File syncing (10%)

This could cause major stress if y'all're unprepared.

You'll need to download or email physical copies of your documents for times you lot won't exist connected to the internet.

Microsoft may have the upper hand here since y'all can get your work done in the offline desktop version of Word.

Plus, your Give-and-take documents will be saved locally on your computer or device instead of in the cloud so you're always in command of them.

Our winner: MS Discussion removes the "what if" factor of relying on Google'south servers and lets you work without an internet connection.

Similar layouts and interface: Google wins on user-friendliness, just Word has tons of features

Seasoned Word vets know in that location are SO many options and features built into Discussion that information technology can be exhausting navigating all the ribbons and toolbars only to find the one button you lot need.

After all, you'll probably click on ribbons like References, Mailings, and Acrobat, which will replace your toolbar with even more buttons, maybe twice in your whole life.

Google Docs solves that trouble by drastically simplifying the layout and toolbar state of affairs to create a more user-friendly, easily manageable workspace.

Just check out the differences to see what nosotros hateful.

Here's what Microsoft Word's ribbon looks like in both Windows and Os X versions:

Now bank check out the Google Docs toolbar:

Pretty big difference, right?

Google places all your most often used buttons right in your easy-access toolbar. Everything else, similar inserting images or tables, can be plant in one of the dropdowns.

With Word, any time you alter one of the ribbons, like if you clicked on Layout, all the buttons in your toolbar modify as well.

Though Give-and-take does let you customize your toolbar so all your almost-used buttons are in reach, narrowing down these options can be overwhelming for a novice or casual users.

The less time you take to spend hunting for the verbal tool you want, the quicker your work volition be accomplished.

Our winner: An easy-to-use interface doesn't mean much if the tools you demand aren't available. Choose Google if you need light word processing features; stick to Give-and-take if you're on a more advanced features level.

Google saves the day when information technology comes to saving your files

Ever forget to hit the salve button on your Give-and-take doc before you lot lose power or accidentally close out of the program?

Though y'all've crossed your fingers and recovered several Give-and-take documents in your lifetime, wouldn't it be neat if you never had to replay this terrible nightmare again?

Google Docs non only automatically saves your piece of work every few minutes or and so, it also continually saves as y'all're working.

This means you can log in on your desktop and see the changes made live from your smartphone at the same time.

Plus, Docs backs up your saved files to Google Bulldoze instead of your local hard drive.

And then Google saves your work — and backs up your piece of work — to give you extra protection should you spill coffee all over your laptop and wreck your hard drive.

Our winner: Google is the automatic relieve hero y'all never idea your docs needed.

Comparison document compatibility and file formats

You lot tin can use Google Docs to open and edit Microsoft Word documents. You lot tin even download your Google doctor equally a Word certificate and so information technology has a standard Give-and-take extension (.docx).

But that's not the only file format Google Docs will let you lot export.

Yous tin download your docs with the following extensions: ODT, PDF, RTF, HTML, TXT, EPUB.

However, you can only download your Word Online documents every bit PDF, ODT, or DOCX files.

And if y'all desire to open a Google physician in Give-and-take, you'll need to convert it first.

One area Word has Docs crush is PDFs.

You can open up PDFs in Word on your desktop, edit them, and and so salvage them as PDFs once more; you can't do this in Google Docs.

Our winner: Google gives you more than file format compatibility. Simply Word may be your become-to if you require PDF editing.

Collaborate remotely using real-time editing and physician sharing

We live in an ever-connected earth, which means many of the states have to interact with teams and coworkers remotely.

Both discussion processors will let you rail the changes made by editors yous shared your certificate with.

While you tin can download your Word doc and electronic mail it to others for collaboration, yous can invite collaborators directly from your Google md or send them a link to access your document.

When yous're in Google'southward "Suggesting" mode, all the edits made are merely suggestions which accompany the highlighted text as comments in the sidebar.

You tin can choose to have these changes (and they'll happen in the doc) or ignore them without harming your original text.

If someone deletes part of your text during editing, Google volition strikethrough the text in the document like this:

Edits made in Word will remove the original text from the document and place it in the sidebar forth with the other comments:

Y'all'll exist able to read an edited version of your document without your original copy to distract you from the final production (unless you click into the sidebar).

Here's the best perk well-nigh Google Docs: existent-time collaboration.

When your recipients click the link to your document, you'll exist able to view their proper noun (or anonymous Google-assigned creature avatar) and their unique identifying colour in-md live.

Sentinel your collaborators marking up your doc or open up up the Google Docs messenger characteristic and chat with each other — right in your certificate — about the changes you want to make together alive.

Google will rails the changes — along with who was responsible for them and the time they made them — then contributions are always recognized.

You could literally have an entire department working on the aforementioned doc together in existent-time wherever in the world they happen to be working from.

While you can email your documents to your collaborators with Discussion, you can't actually work together on it at the same time similar you can with Docs.

You tin just practise this in Word with the Microsoft 365 online Word app, which isn't a full version of the program anyway.

Plus, yous'll need an account or subscription for Word online and your teammates might non have one.

Hither's an interesting written report to note:

When Creative Strategies surveyed over 350 higher students across the country, they discovered:

• 12% apply Google Docs to write papers alone; 80% use Microsoft Discussion instead
• 78% use Google Docs to write papers in a grouping collaboratively; just 13% use Word for group piece of work

So you may want to follow in the footsteps of today'due south millennials and utilise Word for your personal work and Docs for your teamwork.

Our winner: Google Docs shines in collaboration mode with its universal access and real-time editing features.

Is there a ameliorate mobile candidate?

Google Docs started and lives online so you lot'll e'er have admission to its full features when you're signed in on the browser version. Though the mobile apps have fewer features, yous can however write and edit docs on-the-become without any hiccups.

Since the mobile-based Discussion app isn't Microsoft's core business organisation, it's not every bit robust or comprehensive as their standalone plan or what Google offers their mobile users.

While you can insert charts, drawings, and even spreadsheets with the online version of Docs, you don't take these abilities with Word Online.

Mobile users volition have their documents saved to OneDrive, Microsoft's version of Google Drive, so working remotely is just as secure as when they're in the office.

Our winner: Google Docs was fabricated for the web and mobile working; MS Give-and-take is stronger offline.

Google has more third-political party app integrations

Visit the Google Apps Marketplace for add-ons from third parties that fit your and your business' needs.

Missing something from Word?

Check the marketplace and see if you tin not merely supersede information technology, simply find a better version.

From characterization merge tools to automated contact plugins, these apps tin be seamlessly integrated with Docs for a fully customizable programme.

The most popular add-ons for Google Docs include those that replicate Microsoft Word features, such every bit:

• Extensis Fonts which adds thousands of complimentary fonts to Docs
• Template Gallery an add-on that gives you additional templates for Docs and Sheets
• Styles utilize styles to jazz up Docs to give them a more sophisticated expect
• Insert icons for Docs imports icons to assistance you illustrate your Docs

Microsoft has their own Function Shop with integrated third-party apps, but information technology's not as stocked with choices.

Additionally, Google Docs works with the other programs in the G Suite. And so y'all tin create or access files from your Google programs right from the File menu in Doc:

Each certificate or app volition open in a separate tab within the browser you're already working in so you don't have to wait for all those dissever programs to load on your computer like you would with Microsoft.

Our winner: MS Discussion doesn't need every bit many add together-ons considering it's bursting with features, only Google's basic skeleton allows for total customization with add together-ons you specifically choose.

So are you a loyal Windows fan or a new Google devotee?

Microsoft Word has been the just name worth mentioning in the globe of word processors for the last 30 years, just now Google aims to knock the crown off its head.

With its easy-to-use features cleverly designed for the growing cloud-based workforce, many people find Docs easier to use on a daily basis than Give-and-take.

Others in the business organization realm who rely on Microsoft's constantly evolving features volition be allow down past Google'due south basic approach and slim tools offer.

So later on assessing the specifics of both companies, you'll need to decide what's right for you.

If you have a Gmail account and accept your Chromebook java shop hopping to work remotely with your team, Google Docs may be the best selection for your limited difficult drive space and high collaboration needs.

But if your business does everything using Microsoft and you have an Outlook email, y'all may not want to rock the boat by switching from Word.

Nosotros recall y'all should requite each programme a exam run for a week to try them out yourself.

You'll learn which features y'all can't live without (and which yous could employ less of), work out the kinks and quirks between them, and have a solid answer based on your own real-world use.

If you demand help getting started with Microsoft Give-and-take or Google Docs, we can point you in the right direction. Take a Word online course to learn the basics or refresh your knowledge, then master the avant-garde features and get a bona fide pro.

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Source: https://www.goskills.com/Microsoft-Office/Resources/Google-Docs-Microsoft-Word-comparison

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