Google Docs Offline: Edit Docs, Sheets and Slides Without Wi-Fi

Google Docs normally needs an internet connection. With the Google Docs Offline extension, Chrome becomes an offline editor: you can keep writing in Docs, working in Sheets and editing Slides while disconnected, and your changes sync when you are back online.

Setting it up

1. The Download button opens Google Docs Offline on the Chrome Web Store.
2. Click Add to Chrome.
3. Open Google Drive in Chrome, go to its settings and turn on offline access. Google’s help article “Work on Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides offline” walks through the same steps.

Set this up while you are still online. If you try to enable it after the connection is gone, the files will not be ready.

What works offline

• Recent files: many of your most relevant documents are made available offline automatically.
• Pinned files: mark important documents as available offline to be sure they are there when you need them.
• Create and edit: new documents, spreadsheets and presentations can be started offline too.

Copy and paste

The extension also powers advanced copy and paste in Docs, Sheets and Slides, with cut, copy and paste buttons in the right-click menu. If those menu items ask you to install something, this is the extension they need.

Account and data

You need a Google account, and installing the extension means agreeing to Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Files stored for offline use are kept on the computer, so only turn offline access on for devices you trust. The store listing discloses that the extension handles personally identifiable and authentication information and user activity. To save pages from the web into Drive, see Save to Google Drive.