Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Features with Seamless Cooperation
How much do you need out of a word processor? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
When thinking about whether your company should use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the difference in between each's word processing applications might be the make or break element.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both act as cloud-connected composing centers, however the importance of your documents could form your choice.
As users will see throughout M365 and it support companies brisbane Workspace, the difference between desktop and web apps has to do with stabilizing a few of Microsoft's much deeper features and Google's concentrate on partnership.
In this post, we will take a look at the differences between Word and Docs, breaking down how the benefits and downsides of each might impact your workflow.
Rates
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, each month, and have different tiers of rates. As it refers to Word and Docs, the difference in tiers typically just impacts storage area and schedule of the Word desktop app.
The desktop apps are not offered through Microsoft's Business Basic plan ($ 5/user/month), so users at that level will need to be pleased with Word Online.
Microsoft offers its apps for as low as $8.25/ user/month, however users then lose on other functions like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange Online.
Meanwhile, every Google Workplace membership features all its web apps. Google does not have downloadable desktop apps, and all need to be run out of a web browser.
As for how much drive storage is readily available throughout all these subscriptions, see the graphic listed below:
A grid showing the rates and storage capabilities of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Text files are not likely to make much of a damage in your overall storage, except perhaps on Google's starter strategy with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of space on Microsoft's many economical offering would be ample to house all of your Word documents and plenty more.
Overall, the functions throughout both M365 and Workspace will figure out which among these rates works for you.
Functions
Not every company needs extensive features for composing documents, however if you use your word processing program to compose more than one-page reports, there is an opportunity you will.
Google Docs is a terrific application for college students who want to have the ability to compose standard documents with little format that they can access from anywhere they have a web connection.
Anything more than that, and Docs does not compare the power of Word. It all boils down to if Docs suffices.
Docs does have some functions that Word online does not, like the capability to modify text styles that you use regularly, along with an insertable table of contents.
The desktop version of Word has all the functions missing out on from its online offering, suggesting they ought to be added after the collaborative element of the document is completed.
Google's offering does not enable for particular changes to paragraph spacing or paragraph marks at all.
Word also has a deep library of templates that help to develop the most aesthetically striking files you can. This makes design basic, as the user only requires to replace placeholder text and images, and input brand name colors.
Concepts may recommend a header format instead of by hand bolding and centering text. Text ideas might be to remove jargon or abbreviations in favor of clearer phrasing.
Think of this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than just proper grammar, making your voice clearer.
Perhaps most importantly, Word and its desktop apps use performance throughout platforms. Those using Microsoft 365 can easily incorporate their PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets and graphs, and other media from the M365 suite into their documents, and vice versa.
Furthermore, as soon as documents reach a particular length, like when it comes to research or manuscripts, Google Docs becomes weighed down. Word is more adept at managing long-form files without lag.
Thinking about that numerous companies are currently utilizing variations of Microsoft applications, this allows better crossover when working with other companies.
M365 users will likely have less issues opening documents from other companies, a million of which likewise use Word worldwide.
When it concerns functions, Word and all of Microsoft 365 will take the crown.
Desktop apps have the capacity to house much more functions than a web app, and that can be seen throughout M365 and Workspace as a whole.
Cooperation
The applications within Microsoft 365 were constructed as private, completely formed programs, with the capability of online collaboration added later in their life. Google Workspace was constructed with cooperation in mind, leaving some of the heftier features behind.
Both offerings can be edited by multiple individuals concurrently, conserving to the selected drive almost instantly.
Word lags slightly in contrast to Docs, particularly when working out of the desktop app. Originally, it was not possible to send a collaborative link in Word online, however that function has given that been added.
It is also much easier to share documents quickly through Docs, and the ability to alter approvals for other users appears immediately when trying to share.
That function is simply a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you should save the file to OneDrive to prevent versioning problems.
While the space isn't as large as some will make it seem, Google Docs is absolutely better for teaming up within business. It is important to remember that you may encounter compatibility issues with other companies that do not use Docs. Though Google has stated it will roll out compatibility with Microsoft documents given that the launch of their web apps, they are yet to deliver on that promise.
Considered that partnership has actually been a focal point throughout COVID-19, anticipate both suites to continue to concentrate on growing in this location.
Verdict
So, just how much does a business need in their word processor? It depends on the intensity of your files.
If you usually just bear in mind or write brief internal files, it might behoove you to take advantage of the collective aspects of Google Docs.
If your organization exports longer manuscripts for proprietary research or uses very particular format, you'll definitely need Microsoft Word. If your business is sending documents to other organizations, Word and 365 needs to guarantee compatibility.
The word processors are just one piece of the Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace efficiency suites.
It is most likely that you are not making your choice based exclusively on these applications, but the features discovered on Word could be definitely required and force you toward M365.
IT Support Guys has leveraged the power of Microsoft 365 since 2008 when it was still called Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), and we have continued our partnership until the present day.