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| Pic Credit: Google |
Offline access to PDFs, Office files, and images is
now available in Google Drive. To do so, the files must first be tagged as
offline. Users will be able to open files in their browsers even if they are
not connected to the internet.
Back in 2019, Google began beta testing a feature
that allowed users to select non-Google file types as being available offline
when using Google Drive on the web. Users can browse documents marked for
offline viewing even if they don't have access to the Internet.
Everyone can now use the feature now that it is
widely available. ChromeOS users may now use their Chromebook to browse the
Files app and choose Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files for offline access.
For ChromeOS users, streamlined file access
eliminates the need to launch Google Drive or Docs to make files available
offline. Google claims that all users would benefit from the new feature
because it will make it easier to access files while offline. Many people value
having access to a variety of documents at all times.
When working offline, Google makes it clear that
file types such as PDFs, pictures, and Office documents must be opened with
apps installed on the computer. For now, only desktop users can access the new
feature. Off-line access must be permitted by the domain administrator for
users utilizing Drive in an office environment.
Standard users will be able to enable the feature if
they really want. The off-line viewing feature began rolling out on September
2, with Google estimating that it might take up to 15 days for all users in
rapid-release domains to have full visibility. It will be available on
September 14th for the scheduled release domain. In either event, Google Drive
Web offline will take 15 days to reach all users.
All Google Workspace clients, including Cloud
Identity Free, Cloud Identity Premium, and G Suite Basic and Business, will be
able to use the service.
