Microsoft's desktop Office is an excellent all in one tool for creating and editing documents, presentations and spreadsheets in an offline environment. Google's online Docs tool lets you easily view and edit Office documents online using browser, very helpful when you don't have your MS Office with you. Like when you are outdoor with your mobile phone only. You may feel both are competing services, but the fact is each tool has its strong standing point. One tool is matchless in creating documents while other helps you easily access documents online on the go.
COMPATIBILITY ISSUE
Integrating MS Office and Google Docs is really an issue, as perfect integration is not possible because of limitations in Google Docs API. For ideal performance one would like to create documents using MS Office and will wish to make files available online in Google Docs. And any change in file from Google Docs side must be recorded in desktop copy of file. But as I said perfect integration is not possible. You can try these tips to do things in a good way.
Use Google's free Cloud plug-in; a tool that allows saving MS Office documents to Google Docs with one click. Just create Office, PowerPoint or Excel file and synchronize. Your work will be uploaded to Google Docs. But the only problem with this method is that the edits in uploaded copy will not be recorded in copy of file in your computer.
Another alternate is Gladinet Desktop, this tool creates a virtual drive in your computer and in this virtual drive resides all your Google Docs resources. These documents will appear as if they are saved in your local hard disk. With this drive you can interact in classic fashion. You can edit, drag and drop. All changes will be saved to your online Google Docs account.
One last thing that you must remember is that, when you upload your docs to Google the original formating is changed. If you can't afford this then don't use Google Docs, instead use SkyDrive and Office Web Apps.
COMPATIBILITY ISSUE
Integrating MS Office and Google Docs is really an issue, as perfect integration is not possible because of limitations in Google Docs API. For ideal performance one would like to create documents using MS Office and will wish to make files available online in Google Docs. And any change in file from Google Docs side must be recorded in desktop copy of file. But as I said perfect integration is not possible. You can try these tips to do things in a good way.
Use Google's free Cloud plug-in; a tool that allows saving MS Office documents to Google Docs with one click. Just create Office, PowerPoint or Excel file and synchronize. Your work will be uploaded to Google Docs. But the only problem with this method is that the edits in uploaded copy will not be recorded in copy of file in your computer.
Another alternate is Gladinet Desktop, this tool creates a virtual drive in your computer and in this virtual drive resides all your Google Docs resources. These documents will appear as if they are saved in your local hard disk. With this drive you can interact in classic fashion. You can edit, drag and drop. All changes will be saved to your online Google Docs account.
One last thing that you must remember is that, when you upload your docs to Google the original formating is changed. If you can't afford this then don't use Google Docs, instead use SkyDrive and Office Web Apps.
