Google Docs is primarily an online-based document service that uses the cloud to store and process your data. This approach making collaboration, sharing, and backup much easier as everyone can join and making changes in real-time.
But this online-first idea poses a problem to people who don’t always get their computer connected to the internet. Some may prefer to work offline to avoid distractions from Reddit, Youtube, and memes in general.
So, as a web application, is it possible to use Google Docs offline?
Well, yes.
Though it’s not as easy as downloading its offline version, editing a document with Google Docs without internet connectivity is perfectly feasible. Here’s how to set it up.
1. First, install the Google Docs Offline extension on Chrome.
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 3 google docs add to chrome How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/google-docs-add-to-chrome-1024x561.jpg)
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 3 google docs add to chrome How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/google-docs-add-to-chrome-1024x561.jpg)
2. Click Add extension to confirm installation.
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 4 add extension 3 How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/add-extension-3.jpg)
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 4 add extension 3 How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/add-extension-3.jpg)
3. Next, head to Google Drive and go to Settings.
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 5 google drive settings How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/google-drive-settings.jpg)
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 5 google drive settings How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/google-drive-settings.jpg)
4. Enable the Offline checkbox and hit Done.
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 6 offline How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/offline.jpg)
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 6 offline How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/offline.jpg)
5. Also, it best to enable Offline preview as well.
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 7 offline preview How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/offline-preview.jpg)
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 7 offline preview How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/offline-preview.jpg)
6. You may see this message on the page. The service is basically downloading your documents so it can be used later with the Google Docs Offline extension.
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 8 setting up offline How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/setting-up-offline.jpg)
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 8 setting up offline How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/setting-up-offline.jpg)
7. When it’s done, right-click on a downloaded document > Open with > Google Docs.
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 9 open with google docs 1 How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/open-with-google-docs-1.jpg)
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 9 open with google docs 1 How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/open-with-google-docs-1.jpg)
8. A new page will appear, showing the document running on Google Docs Offline.
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 10 google docs offline How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/google-docs-offline-1024x555.jpg)
![How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline 10 google docs offline How to Install Google Docs on Your PC and Use it Offline](https://vegadocs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/google-docs-offline-1024x555.jpg)
The offline editing feels exactly like when it’s online, but of course with some cloud-based features slashed. You can still modify the document freely and it will sync the changes when the device is online again.