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Google has announced a rather useful improvement for Gmail users via the Docs section of its Google Drive cloud storage platform.
As of today, Drive users will now be able to edit Microsoft Office files received as email attachments directly from the Gmail webmail client. Previously, because of conversion issues, the have been read/download only.
The change makes it easy for users to easily convert, for example, a Word file into a Google Docs document, meaning it’s easy to have just one document rather than working with multiple versions.
“We realise that as a Docs user, you still sometimes have to work with different file types, so we often launch updates to make it a little smoother for you,” Google writes. “It’s now even easier for you to edit Office files where you often come across them—as attachments in your email.
"With just one click on the new edit icon in Gmail attachments, you can automatically convert Office documents -- giving you the additional benefits of a single document to keep track of, access from anywhere (even offline!), and revision history.”
This will mean Word, Powerpoint and Excel documents can be easily opened, saved to Drive in the Google Docs format and re-shared without opening up in Office itself. Google has also enabled conversion of 15 lesser used Office file extensions in order to ease the transition.
The move will come as a boost for Chromebook owners as well as Mac and PC users who don’t have access to Microsoft Office programs sitting on their laptops.
Google’s move to boost Docs functionality for Gmail users comes as Microsoft launches an offensive in the cloud productivity space. It has opened up the Office apps for iOS device owners and has recently integrated Dropbox, despite it rivaling its own OneDrive platform.
The result is great news for consumers who’re experiencing greater compatibility among the various services they enjoy uses.
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Via: Venture Beat