Use Google Drive files offline

Want to get more out of Google Drive for work or school? Sign up for a Google Workspace trial at no charge. 

If you aren't connected to the Internet, you can still view and edit files, including:

• Google Docs
• Google Sheets
• Google Slides

Use files offline with Drive on the web

Before you turn on offline access

• You must be connected to the internet.
• You must use the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser.
• Don't use private browsing.
• Install and turn on Google Docs Offline Chrome extension.
• Make sure you have enough available space on your device to save your files.

Open Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides offline

1. Open Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If on Chrome, make sure you are signed into your desired account.
2. Go to drive.google.com/drive/settings.
3. Check the box next to "Create, open, and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline."

Save Google Docs, Sheets Slides for offline use

1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
2. Right click the Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides file you want to save offline.
3. Turn on "Available offline."

To save multiple files offline, press Shift or Command (Mac)/Ctrl (Windows) while you click other files.

Preview offline files

1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
   • Make sure you turn on offline access first.
2. At the top right, click Ready for offline .
3. Click Offline preview.

Edit offline files

If you edit a file offline:

• Changes are implemented when you’re back online.
• New changes overwrite previous changes.
• You can find edits in the file’s version history.

Tip: Learn how to find what's changed in a file.

Use files offline with Drive for desktop

Drive for desktop is an application for Windows and macOS that lets you quickly access content directly from your desktop, helping you easily access files and folders in a familiar location. To save a file offline, make sure you have an app that can open your file.

Important: If you switch accounts or disconnect your account, all files kept offline are removed.

1. On your computer, go to the Drive for desktop Menu .
2. Click Open Google Drive folder .
3. Right-click the file or folder you want to save offline.
4. Click Drive for desktop  Available offline.
5. Once your file is saved, a green check mark appears next to the file.

Offline differences between streaming mirroring

With streaming:

• Your files are in the cloud. Hard drive space is only used when you open files or make them available offline.
• You can only access files that aren't available offline when you’re connected to the internet.
• You can only access files, including those available offline, when the app is running.
• You can access files through a mounted drive on your computer.

With mirroring:

• Your files are in the cloud and your computer, which takes up hard drive space.
• You can access your files at any time, even when you don’t have an internet connection or the Drive for desktop app is running.

Learn more about what it means to mirror or stream your files.