One of the advantages of Google Docs is that you don't have to download any software on your PC to access it. However, you'll need Microsoft Word on your PC to read and edit Word documents if you download a document from Google Docs. So, how do you download Google Docs without Microsoft Word software on your PC? This article is a step-by-step guide to show you how to download Google Docs without Microsoft Word.
Can I download Google Docs without Microsoft Word?
You can download Google Docs on your device without having Microsoft Word on your PC. The challenge, however, is that you won't be able to open and make certain changes to the documents after downloading the file. Microsoft Word is a popular word editor many people rely on to create and edit Word documents.
However, Microsoft Word is not the only word processor in the market. An alternative that offers several advantages over Microsoft Word is the WPS Office. With the WPS Office suite, you can open Google Docs after downloading it and make any changes you'd have if you were working directly on Google Docs. WPS Office also gives you an impressive collaboration feature like Google Docs and so much more.
How to Download Google Docs Without Microsoft Word on a PC?
You can download Google Docs without Microsoft Word on your PC in different ways. The method you'll find easy to use varies depending on you. Also, your method depends on what you want to use the downloaded file for.
It's essential to understand the difference between the different download options. This is because when downloading docs from Google Docs, you can have the option to choose the file type in which you want the document to download.
So, in the following sections, we will guide you through different methods you can use to download a doc from Google Docs and the differences between each method.
How to Download Docs from Google Docs?
It is possible to make a Google Docs document available offline by downloading it. After downloading it, you can edit or share the document depending on what you deem ideal.
Note that you won't find a download button on the homepage when you use Google Docs. As such, many people often think it's not possible or don't know how to download a document when using Google Docs.
But it's easy to download documents from Google Docs once you know the steps. This section will walk you through the steps to download documents from Google Docs using a PC.
Step 1: Download WPS Office
To download a Google Docs document, launch your preferred web browser. Afterward, go to the WPS official website and navigate to the download section. Download the WPS Office and install it when the download is complete. It's important to download the WPS Office to complete the next steps. With the WPS Office, you don't have to worry about not having Microsoft Office on your PC.
Step 2: Go to the Google Docs website
On the browser app on your PC, go to the Google Docs website. You need a Gmail account to access the Google Docs Word editor. Sign into your Gmail account if you already have one or create one, then return to the website and sign in.
Step 3: Open the document you want to download
You will find all your Google Docs documents on the homepage when you sign into your account. Find the document you want to download and click on it to open it.
Step 4: Use the toolbar to download the file
After loading the document, click the File option on the toolbar at the top of the page. Clicking the File option will display a drop-down option with different options. Hover over the Download option to display more side options. The download side option lets you choose the file type to which you want to download the document. Click on the file type, whether Word Document, OpenDocument Format, or Rich Text Format, amongst others.
How Do You Open Google Docs on the Desktop Shortcut App without Microsoft Word?
Google Docs does not have any software you can download for PC. As such, for your convenience, if you don't like the stress of launching a web browser app before you can access your Google Docs documents, then you should consider adding a desktop shortcut.
The shortcut app gives you access to any Google Docs document, provided you're connected to the internet. When you use the Google Docs shortcut option, it launches the Google Docs link directly in a web browser. The process is straightforward and less lengthy.
Step 1: Launch the Chrome browser app
To start using Google Docs, launch the Chrome browser on your PC. Depending on the functionalities it offers, you can use any other browser app on your device. Whether you're using a Windows or Mac PC, Chrome is a versatile browser that works seamlessly.
Step 2: Go to the Chrome Google Apps folder
When you launch the Chrome browser app on your device, click on the section where you enter a website address. Type in chrome://apps and hit the enter key. This website takes you to a library of Google apps like YouTube, Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, etc.
Step 3: Create a Google Docs shortcut
To create a Google Docs shortcut app, right-click on the Google Docs app and click on the option Create a shortcut. A prompt will pop up to ensure you check the box for desktop and start menu, then click on the button create. A Google Docs shortcut app will be on your PC desktop when you do this.
Step 4: Pin shortcut to the taskbar
To make opening the Google Docs shortcut even more interesting, go to the start menu of your device if you're using a Windows PC and search for the keyword Google Docs. When the Google Docs shortcut you just added appears, right-click on it and choose the option pin to the taskbar. This option will add the Google Docs app to the taskbar of your PC.
Step 5: Open the Google Docs shortcut app
When you click on the Google Docs shortcut app, whether on the desktop or taskbar, it will redirect you to the browser that loads up Google Docs. Ensure you have a default browser app set on your PC for this method to work seamlessly.
How to Download Google Docs on Google Drive?
You can save your files on Google Drive when working on Google Docs. If you save your Word documents in your Google Drive, you can download the file directly from there. But how do you download from Google Drive?
In this section, we will enlighten you on the process of downloading from Google Drive. We will show you how to select multiple Word documents from Google Drive using a PC to download them. When you download using this method, the file will be saved in a Microsoft Word format (.docx).
Step 1: Navigate to the Google Drive website
Launch any web browser app on your PC, but preferably use Chrome. On your browser app, go to www.drive.google.com, which will load up the Google Drive website.
You must sign into your account if you're using any other web browser. If you're using Chrome, it will sign you into the account attached to the Chrome browser. If you want to download the file from a different Google account, then sign out from the one on your PC and sign into the one with the file.
Step 2: Find the file you want to download
On the Drive website, scroll down to find the file you want to download. You can use the search icon at the top of the website if you have so many files. Enter a keyword in the file's or full file name to locate it quickly. When you find the file you want to download, tap on it to select it.
Step 3: Select multiple files
Furthermore, you can download multiple Word files in one go from Google Drive. To download multiple files, hold the control button and click on all the files you want to download.
Step 4: Download files
When you're done selecting the files you want to download, click on the download icon at the top of the screen.
Note that if you want to download multiple files, they will be compressed into a zip folder. If you download a single file, it will be downloaded in whatever format you save the document.
How to Connect Google Drive to WPS Office?
Connecting Google Drive to WPS is relatively straightforward. By connecting these two platforms, you boost your productivity through achieving easy access, sharing and collaboration, and effortless backup, amongst other things. Learn how to connect Google Drive to WPS Office in the section below.
Step 1: Open WPS Office
First and foremost, launch the WPS Office on your device. If you still have yet to download it, quickly do so from the WPS Official website or your device's application store. When the download is complete, install all the software and then launch the app.
Step 2: Create a new file
On the home page, click on the Files option at the top left-hand side of the screen. On the next page, click on open, and when the pop-up screen asks you to choose where you want to open a file, select the Google Drive icon.
Step 3: Sign into your Google Drive account
You'll be asked to sign into your Google Drive account to complete the process. Signing into your Google Drive account is relatively straightforward; all you have to do is enter your email address and password.
Step 4: Edit, download, and save documents to drive
When you've successfully signed into your Google Drive account, access your files in it. You can view, edit, and upload documents to the drive through the WPS Office.
Why Use WPS Office?
WPS Office is an impressive office suite that's ideal for everyday personal and business use. It has so many features that it overthrows the need to download Microsoft Word. Moreover, the WPS Office is considerably more affordable than Microsoft Word.
If you're wondering why anyone would use the WPS Office, below are some standout features that explain why.
Comprehensive productivity office suite
WPS Office suite is a single application. However, with this software, you have one of the most comprehensive productivity office suites. With WPS Office, you can access a writer, presentation, spreadsheet, and PDF toolkit. It also offers access to more tools like an OCR scanner, file repair, file converter, etc.
Integrated AI functionality
Another interesting feature that makes using the WPS Office worthwhile is its integrated AI functionality. The WPS-integrated AI lends a helping hand when working on a document. Whether from writing to designing a presentation or analyzing data, WPS AI has covered you.
Stable performance
Furthermore, WPS is as stable as you could wish any software is. Despite the numerous functions of the Office suite, it is lightweight software. It's compatible with many operating systems, such as Android, iOS, Windows, or Linux.
Impressive template store
You don't have to start every project from scratch using WPS Office. Its impressive template store makes it possible for you to find a template that best suits your project. The template varies as WPS Office offers both free and purchased templates.
Real-time collaboration feature
Also, WPS Office allows users to collaborate in real-time through Airpage and cloud collaboration. With this collaboration option, you can boost your productivity immensely, amongst other things.
FAQs about Google Sheet Download
Can you download Google Docs for offline use?
You can download Google Docs for offline use. You can also choose whether you want to download the file with the in-app option to make it available offline or to download it so it's locally available on your device.
Can I save it to Google Drive Files in WPS Office?
You can save any file format to Google Drive when working in WPS. But ensure you're connected to the internet for the file to upload successfully. This is a feature that no other office suite can do perfectly, like WPS.
Summary
To summarize everything thus far, you can download Google Docs without Microsoft Word on your device. Microsoft Word is merely software, and it doesn't impact whether or not you can download it from Google Docs.
However, after downloading a file from Google Docs, you'll need software to open, edit and format Word documents. At this point, having the WPS Office suite makes so much sense. So, if you don't have a WPS Office suite, go ahead and download and install it today.
