Save a Google Doc

Unlike traditional Word Processing software, Google Drive automatically saves changes made to a document every few seconds. We're going to explain how to save a document online and offline in detail. We will also discuss how to save a copy of a shared document, which will provide you with editing and ownership rights. Read on to learn why you do not need to click a "Save" button.

Steps

Saving Your Work

  1. Allow Google Docs to automatically save your document. As you add new content to your Google Doc, the changes you make to the document are automatically saved to your drive. Next to the “Help” tab at the top of your screen, you will see light gray text. While you type, this text will say “Saving…”; a moment after you’ve stopped typing, the text will report that “All changes saved to Drive.”
    • You do not need to click a save button or use a keyboard shortcut.[1]
  2. Save a Google Doc to your computer. While working on a Google Doc, you may need to export your document for use in other programs. Click on the “File” tab at the top of your screen. Hover over “Download as” and select a file type from the list. In the dialog box that appears, you may change the file’s name, add tags to the document, and determine where to save the file.
    • The types of files you may choose from include: Microsoft Word, Open Document Format, Rich Text Format, PDF, Plain Text, Web Page, or EPUB Publication.[1]
  3. Export your saved file with a different extension. Occasionally, you may need to save and export your Google file in a different format. Select File > Download As. Choose an extension from the menu that appears. Once you export the document, Google Drive will not automatically sync changes made to the downloaded file. Extension options include:
    • .docx
    • .odf
    • .rtf
    • .pdf
    • .txt
    • .html[2]
  4. Export your document to your website. Google Drive has the capacity to publish a document directly to your website. The published document is not static, but live. When you make changes to this document, the alterations automatically appear on your website. To export the file to the web, select File > Publish to the Web > Allow Live Changes to be Made to the Document > Start Publishing.
    • If you want the document to remain static, you do not have to select the "Allow Live Changes to be Made to the Document" option.[2]
  5. Troubleshoot your save. If your Google Drive is unable to save your document, you will receive the following notification: "Failed to save on google drive." Google Drive's inability to save your document is often a result of faulty internet connection. When this occurs, copy the contents of your document to the clipboard and reload the page. If the file is missing content, Select All and Paste the content into the document from the clipboard.
    • To Select All, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl A (Windows) or ⌘ Command A (Mac).
    • To Copy a document, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl C (Windows) or ⌘ Command C (Mac).
    • To Paste a document, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl P (Windows) or ⌘ Command P (Mac).

Saving a Shared Document to Your Drive

  1. Open the shared filed. When someone shares a document with you, may not receive editing or ownership rights. In order to make changes to the document, you need to create a copy of it, which you will then own. Open the shared document via email or Google Drive.
    • This mode is called "View Only."[3]
  2. Create a copy. Select File > Make a copy > OK. The new copy will automatically open and save.
    • As you alter the document, these changes will automatically save.
    • If you were the original owner of the document, you will have the option to share the file with the original group.[3]
  3. Retitle the document. Once you have made a copy of the shared document, you are the owner of the file. Under the "Ownership" column in your Google Drive, you will see "Me." As the owner, you may retitle the document if you desire.[3]

Saving a Google Doc Offline

  1. Install Google Drive for Mac. Installing Google Drive will allow you to edit and save Google Doc files offline. All of the changes you make to Google Doc files while offline, will be automatically synced to your online Google Drive.
    • Go to Google’s Get Drive Everywhere webpage.
    • Hover over “Download Drive” and select “Mac” from the drop-down menu.[4]
    • Read and agree to the Terms of Service, open the file installgoogledrive.dmg. Drag the Google Drive icon into your Applications folder and open Google Drive.
    • Sign into Google Drive and finish the installation process.
  2. Install Google Drive for Windows. When you install Google Drive for your Windows, you will be able to access, edit, and save Google Docs while you are offline. All changes you make to these documents will be shared with your online drive.
    • Go to Google’s Get Drive Everywhere webpage. Hover over “Download Drive” and select “Windows” from the drop-down menu.[4]
    • Read and accept the Terms of Service and then open the googledrivesync.exe file.
    • Log into Google Drive and follow the instructions to complete the installation process.[5]
  3. Turn on “Online Access.” Launch your browser and log into your Google account. Open your Google Drive and click on the “Settings” icon (wheel). Select “Settings.” Locate the “Offline” section and check the box next to “Sync Google Docs, Sheets, Slides & Drawings files to this computer so that you can edit offline."[6]
  4. Move files and folders from your desktop into your Google Drive folder. Upon installing Google Drive, a "Google Drive" folder is automatically created and added to your existing "Document" folder. Documents and files are added to this folder in two ways.
    • Once you enable online access, the items stored in your online Google Drive will automatically appear in, or sync with, your desktop's "Google Drive" folder.
    • You may manually move documents and files from you desktop into the "Google Drive" folder. The folder will automatically sync with the cloud.
  5. Share files from your local "Google Drive" folder. The Google Drive application also allows you to share files with others. Open the "Google Drive" folder and right-click on the document you with to share. Select Google Drive > Share from the pop-up menu. Share the file with one or more people.[7]
  6. Allow Google Docs save and sync your changes automatically. In the offline application, Google Drive automatically saves changes made to a document every few seconds. When your computer connects to the internet, the Google Drive application will function like its online counterpart. The changes you make to a document will be automatically saved and synced to your online drive.[8]



Tips

  • You can make a copy of your document at any time by clicking the “File” tab from the menu bar followed by the “Make a copy…” option in the context menu.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://support.google.com/docs/answer/40626?hl=en
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://computers.tutsplus.com/articles/how-to-import-and-export-documents-in-google-drive--cms-20930
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqgD0Ysdu7A
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://tools.google.com/dlpage/drive
  5. ↑ https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2374987
  6. ↑ https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375012
  7. ↑ http://www.talkandroid.com/guides/beginner/how-to-setup-google-drive-on-your-desktop-for-syncing/
  8. ↑ http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-use-google-docs-when-youre-offline--cms-21332
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