Use Word to edit Google Docs files

Note that DocsInOffice is currently in beta (test) phase, so there is no guarantee that it will work perfectly. However, we experienced no problems using it during our testing. Launch a web browser and visit the Docsinoffice website. Click the Join link in at the top of the page, type in your email address and then choose and repeat the password that should be used to protect your account. Click the Create button. This is all that is involved in the sign-up process; the next stage is to link your account with your Google Docs account (and optionally a Box.net account, if you use that service).

Next, click the Connect to Google Docs button, type in your Google email address and password and then click the Sign in button. The next page makes it clear that the Docsinoffice service is attempting to access your Google Account: this is essential if you want to use the service, so click Grant access to allow this to continue. A confirmation of the link to Google Docs will be displayed. Click the My Account button to continue.

DocsInOffice can also be linked to Picasa and Box.net accounts, if you have those. Click the My Account link in the top navigation bar followed by the Connect link next to the Picasa Web Albums entry. If already signed into a Google account, all you need to do is click the Grant access button.

Accessing your online files from Microsoft Office is a simple affair. In an Office application, click the File menu and choose Open, or use keyboard shortcut Ctrl and O. In the File name field, type http://DocsInOffice.com/gdocs and then either press Enter or click the Open button. To access files stored in a Box.net account, instead type http://DocsInOffice.com/box and, for Picasa, use http://DocsInOffice.com/picasa. If prompted, enter the Docsinoffice username and password created in Step 1 and click OK; tick the box labelled ‘Remember my credentials’ to save having to do it in future.

Now navigate, open and work with your files as usual. When finished, just select the Save option as normal: any changes made will be immediately uploaded to the relevant web service. Files can continue to be edited online.

It is possible to disconnect Docsinoffice and Google Docs by heading to the My Account section of the Google website, and similar options are available via the Picasa and Box.net websites. Alternatively, visit the Account section of the Docsinoffice website and click the Disconnect link next to the unwanted services. You will be asked to confirm that you want to break the connection.