How to Work on Google Docs, Sheets, & Slides Offline

If you aren’t connected to the internet, you can still create, view, and edit files on:

• Google Docs
• Google Sheets
• Google Slides

Use Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides offline

You can save the most recently opened documents on your computer.

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.

How to turn on offline access

Tip:

• You can turn on offline access from Docs, Sheets, or Slides settings. If you turn on offline access for Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Drive, then the rest will also be available offline.
• Alternatively, to turn on offline access, open any Google document, spreadsheet, or presentation. At the top, next to the file title, click See document status   Turn on Turn on.
• If you want to use offline access for another Google Account, make sure you’re signed in to the right Chrome or Edge profile. Learn how to switch Chrome profiles.

Turn off offline access

1. Open the Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides home screen.
2. Click Menu  Settings.
3. On the right, turn off Offline.
   • Tip: If you turn off offline access for Docs, Sheets, or Slides, you will also turn off offline access for the rest.

Make specific files available offline

If you have enough storage, some of your most recent files will be automatically saved offline. To manually select files to save offline:

1. Follow the steps above to turn on offline access in Google Drive.
2. Open the Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides home screen.
3. On the file you want to use offline, click More .
4. Click Available offline. A check mark will appear in the bottom left corner to show that the file is available offline.

Tip: You can also make a file available offline by opening a Google document, spreadsheet, or presentation, and clicking File  Make available offline.

Check if a document is ready for offline use

1. On your computer, open a file in Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
2. At the top, next to the file title, click See document status .

Tip: If your document is not ready to edit offline, an explanation will appear.

Fix problems with using files offline

If you’re having trouble working with Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides offline, try these steps.

Check your browser

• You can use files offline on the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browsers.
• Do not use private or incognito browsing. 
• Make sure you have installed and turned on the Google Docs Offline Chrome extension.
• Make sure your browser is up to date.

Error message: “Checking offline sync status. Please wait.”

Error message: “Offline sync is disabled by your administrator.”

Error message: “Another user has already enabled offline access on this computer.”

Only one account for each browser profile can have offline enabled. If you want to enable multiple accounts for offline access, create them on separate browser profiles. Learn how to add a new profile, then enable offline for one account in each profile. 

Offline is already on

Offline will automatically be enabled if you are a ChromeOS user, if you choose to sync your Docs and Drive when creating a Chrome Profile, or if you have Drive for desktop installed on your device.

Learn how to disable offline.

Error message: Could not sync document or trouble syncing

Step 1: Check your network connection

There might be a problem with your network connection. First, check your network connection. Then, try to disable and re-enable offline access.

1. On your computer, open the Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide.
2. At the top, click File  Make available offline. The check mark should disappear.
3. At the top, click File  Make available offline. 

If the error continues, your file is too large. 

Step 2: Make your file smaller

1. Make your file smaller.
   • Tip: Copy smaller sections of the original document into new documents.
2. At the top of your new smaller document, click File  Make available offline.

Help us improve offline access

Take this survey to help us understand your offline experience with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. 

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