Download Google Docs
Google Drive (previously known as Google Docs) is an application that allows you create and store documents on the Web using your Google account. In Google Drive, you have the option to download and store documents directly to the hard drive of your computer or device. You can also set documents to be available when your device is not connected to the internet.
Contents
Steps
Using the Google Drive Website
- Log into the Google Drive website. Use the Google account that has access to the document you want to download.
- You can download documents that you've created, as well as any documents that have been shared with you.
- Right-click on the file and select "Download" to save the file as a Word document. The file will immediately convert and download in Word format. You can find it in your Downloads folder.
- If you want to save the file as another format, see the next step.
- If you're using the Google Docs website instead of Google Drive, see the next step.
- Open the file that you want to download. If you want to download the file as a .pdf, .rtf, .txt, or as a web page, you'll need to open it first.
- Click "File" and then select "Download As". This will open a list of format options.
- Select the format you want to save the document as. To document will be converted and downloaded to your computer. You'll be able to find it in your Downloads folder.
Using the Google Drive or Google Docs Mobile App (Android)
- Open the Google Drive app (Android only). Make sure that your phone is logged in with the Google account that has access to the document that you want to download. You can download documents that you've created, as well as any documents that have been shared with you.
- You cannot download files on the iOS version of Drive, but you can Download-Google-Docs.
- Press and hold a Google Doc and select "Download" to download the file as a PDF. This is the default format that Google Docs are downloaded as.
- Export a Google Doc as a Word document to save a .docx file to your device. If you want to download the Google Doc as a Word document, you'll need to export it as a Word Document first.
- Open a Google Doc that you want to download as a Word document.
- Tap the More button in the upper-right corner and select "Share & export".
- Select "Save as Word (.docx)". This will create a Word document in your drive with the same name as the Google Doc, and it will open automatically.
- Return to the Google Drive list of documents and then press and hold the new .docx file.
- Select "Download" to save the .docx file to your device's Downloads folder.
Keeping a Google Doc Stored Locally On Your Device
- Open the Google Drive app on your device. This method will keep a file on your Google Drive stored locally on your device so that you can edit and view it when your device is not connected to the internet. This works on both Android and iOS.
- Tap the ⓘ next to the file that you want to store on your device. If you are using the Google Docs app, tap the More button instead.
- Toggle "Keep on device" ON. If you are using the Google Docs app, select "Keep on device" from the More menu.
- Access the file while offline. When your device is offline, you'll still be able to open and edit the file. You can view just the files stored on the device by tapping the Menu (☰) button and selecting "On device".
Syncing Your Google Drive With Your Computer
- Download the Google Drive program. This program will create a folder on your computer that is synced with your Google Drive account. All of your Google Drive files will be automatically updated on your computer when you make changes online, and vice versa. This program is available for both Windows and Mac.
- Open the Google Drive website and log in with your Google account.
- Click the Gear icon in the upper-right corner and select "Download Drive." If you don't see this option, click "Connect Drive to your desktop" in the left menu.
- Select your operating system and download the installation file.
- Install Google Drive on your computer. After downloading the installer, you'll need to run it to install Google Drive onto your computer.
- Windows - Run the googledrivesync.exe program to begin the installation process. Sign in with the Google account that you want to use the Drive program with and then follow the prompts to install.
- Mac - Open the installgoogledrive.dmg file and drag the Google Drive icon to your Applications folder. Run Google Drive from your Applications folder and log in with the Google account you want to use with Drive.
- Allow Google Drive to sync. As soon as you finish installing, Google Drive will begin syncing all of the documents from your Google Drive to the Google Drive folder on your desktop. This may take a little while if you have lots of documents to sync.
Warnings
- The file size limit for documents you can manually download to your device from Google Drive is 2 gigabytes. If your file exceeds 2 gigabytes, you will be provided with an error message.
