To close the gap between Microsoft 365 and itself, Google Workspace recently announced that the longstanding compatibility issues would be resolved.
The improvements started rolling out on August 10, 2022. This development comes when Google tries to amp up its competition against Microsoft, which has the largest market share in the enterprise productivity suite.
According to Google, Workspace users will be notified beforehand regarding compatibility issues when accessing a file in Google Docs, Slides, or Spreadsheet. It will empower them to access and edit Microsoft Office files easily. Also, now they can edit files in offline mode.
What Kind Of Compatibility Issues Did Workspace Users Have To Face?
Before this improvement started rolling out, several problems used to bother Google’s cloud-native accessibility suite. For example,
- Some features offered by Microsoft Office used to be unavailable, lost, or not editable in Google Workspace.
- Alternatively, some features of Google Workspace would not be displayed or be available in Microsoft Office.
- Users could not edit their Office files without having a steady internet connection. It used to be particularly inconvenient for users who had to be mobile for some reason.
- Changes or Edits made in the Google Docs file did not always reflect on Microsoft Word.
- Comments made on Microsoft Word are used to get automatically removed if accessed on Google Workspace.
Also, see Google Meet Brings Auto-Transcription For Google Classroom
Details Of The Improvements In Google Workspace
In their blog post, Google has listed the specific improvements available on all types of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office files, namely, documents, slideshows, and spreadsheets.
Here’s a list of the specific updates:
In their blog post, Google has listed the specific improvements available on all types of Google Workspace and Microsoft Office files, namely, documents, slideshows, and spreadsheets.
Here’s a list of the specific updates:
1) A Warning Symbol:
When an end-user opens a file created or formatted in the Microsoft Office suite on Google Workspace, he can see a warning symbol on top of the console. It will remain throughout the entire time he is working on the file.
It will also display a detailed view of the compatibility issues and if any Office features would remain unavailable.
Image source: Google Workspace Updates
2) Restore Earlier Versions:
Users can quickly view if any previous versions of a file are available. Also, one can change the present version of the file to an earlier version.
Who Will Receive The Google Workspace Updates?
All Google Workspace customers, legacy G suite users, and individual users with personal accounts will receive the update.
The updates are available on both Rapid Release and Scheduled Release tracks. Admins are advised to choose Rapid Release only for a test account and Scheduled Release for the other accounts.
Are There Any Specific Implications Of The Workspace Updates?
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace offer almost similar productivity tools and features, along with cloud storage and other services.
This development is interesting as Google has been competing for the top spot in the productivity suite market for a long time. It is only followed by the Indian company Zoho Corporation.
As of 2020, Microsoft crossed 258 Million paid enterprise users. In comparison, Google is accountable for only 6 Million paid customers across sectors like businesses, SMEs, schools, and governments.
By solving the compatibility issues, Google is aiming for a bigger piece of the pie.
Infostor.com (C)
