Google Documents is slowly but surely becoming an online alternative to Microsoft Office. Since its introduction, the online word processing suite has gone through many upgrades and changes, but a new round of updates may finally bring Google Documents the sophistication and ease-of-use to equal Microsoft’s products.
The biggest difference between Google Documents and Microsoft Office is that Google’s suite is entirely online, and works with any operating system via a standard Web browser. This ensures that users can access their work no matter where they are in the world, not just on their home computer. Additionally, Google Documents allows organized collaboration on text documents, and conversion of documents into a variety of popular formats, including PDF.
And now, Google is about to update the program to add even more features and compatibility. Long-time users of Google Documents will be happy to see that print settings and print preview functionality has been added to the suite. Google has also redesigned the document sharing options to make it easier to set permissions and assign collaborators with just a touch of a button.
But possibly the most exciting aspect of the update is the promise of fully editable document templates, and the ability to apply CSS formatting to your documents. The inclusion of CSS also makes it possible for you to create your own custom templates if none of the available styles suit your needs.
While Microsoft Word has long had the capability to apply formatting to documents, and comes standard with a variety of document templates, so far there have been no online word processors with such advanced functionality.
These new features bring Google Documents one step closer to being a state-of-the-art word processing suite that is entirely online, with nothing to download, and no pesky registration codes. Already, some businesses and government offices have begun switching over to Google Documents, primarily because all of the cost savings.
But if Google continues to add functionality to its word processing suite, it won’t be long before the program will be every bit as capable as Microsoft Office, and users may switchover simply because it’s a more convenient program — not just because it’s cheaper.
As for Microsoft, they are also keen to further develop their online version of Word, though they are definitely behind in the race at this point. Google is continuing to invest heavily in Google Documents, and they are so firmly established online at this point that it will be difficult — if not impossible — for Microsoft to catch up.
