Free productivity powerhouse: 5 reasons why you need to try Google Drive in 2024

When you open Word or Excel, those few precious seconds they take to load can feel a bit much just for making a few quick notes or back-of-the-envelope calculations. That's perhaps why a lighter, web browser-based alternative is increasingly popular - and it's free.

Below, we've rounded up some of the smartest things Google Drive can do. You'll also find an overview of web-based rival Microsoft 365, which is free to use with a basic membership.

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Best Google Drive features

1. Edit Microsoft Office files

Why should you try it? DocsOpen file picker Upload Browse 

For the most part, it works great. However, if you're using any advanced Office functionality, you might want to double-check that everything still works after editing in Drive. For example, Docs and Office handles some features, such as tracked changes, slightly differently.

Similarly, if you want to use advanced functions on Google Drive, such as add-ons, then you'll need to convert your files to Google's format – which will make them incompatible with Office.

2. Collaborate on documents with friends and colleagues

Why should you try it? 

If you're working on a document with other people the old-fashioned way over email, it can quickly become very confusing.

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The most secure way to do this is by typing in the email address associated with their own Google account. If they click into it, they will parachute into the document just as you see it, and will be able to either view, comment or edit the document directly, depending on what permissions you've given them. You can also create a General Access link, which generates a web address that anyone can click and view the document.

News, deals and stuff the manuals don't tell you. 

3. Synchronise files with your PC

Why should you try it? Google Drive Sync.

Google Drive Sync tricks your computer into thinking that your Google Drive folder is just another folder on your home network. This means you can browse, select and copy files to and from it just as you would any other folder on your computer. If you drop in a new file, it will quietly upload it to the cloud for safekeeping, and if you drag and drop a file from Drive to somewhere else on your computer, it seamlessly downloads the file and copies it over.

If you plug in a camera or SD memory card, Google will offer to automatically copy over all of the photos and upload them to the cloud for you. Or if you want to access your files offline, you can set preferences to 'mirror' rather than 'stream' your files – meaning that a local copy will be kept on your hard disk, with any changes synchronised later instead.

 – Is it worth paying for cloud storage, or could you get away with a free service?

4. Easily collect data with a form

Why should you try it? New Google FormsSendSettings Responses Link to Sheets

5. Build a custom map for planning a trip

Why should you try it? NewMore  Google My Maps

From this screen, there are tools to add pins, lines and plot routes, so you can just drag them to whatever attractions you're planning to visit. Or you can simply use the search box to type in a place and add a pin or customised note. Once you've made your custom map, you can view it in the Google Maps app on your phone.

Need a new phone? See our expert pick of the 

Alternatively, try Microsoft 365

If you're a Microsoft Office user, it instantly feels familiar, with web-based versions of Word, Excel, Powerpoint and so on, all aping their full-sized desktop counterparts. Microsoft 365 is fully baked into the brand's ecosystem, so if you use Microsoft OneDrive you can view and edit your Word docs and Excel spreadsheets from the web.

Create New Design – learn how to access all of your Office files at a glance, or see a feed that generates a history of your edits.

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Additional reporting by Tom Morgan

source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/why-you-need-to-try-google-drive-in-2024-abbAG4r1gXRP