Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Features with Smooth Cooperation
How much do you require out of a word processor? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends upon what you are attempting to accomplish.
When considering whether your business ought to utilize Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the difference between each's data processing applications might be the make or break aspect.
Microsoft Word and Google Docs both act as cloud-connected writing centers, but the significance of your files might shape your choice.
As users will see throughout M365 and Workspace, the difference in between desktop and web apps is about stabilizing a few of Microsoft's deeper functions and Google's focus on cooperation.
In this post, we will take a look at the distinctions between Word and Docs, breaking down how the advantages and disadvantages of each might affect your workflow.
Prices
Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, monthly, and have various tiers of prices. As it relates to Word and Docs, the difference in tiers usually just impacts storage space and schedule of the Word desktop app.
The desktop apps are not readily available through Microsoft's Business Basic strategy ($ 5/user/month), so users at that level will need to be satisfied with Word Online.
Microsoft uses its apps for as low as $8.25/ user/month, but users then lose out on other functions like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange Online.
As for just how much drive storage is readily available throughout all these memberships, see the graphic below:
A grid showing the costs and storage abilities of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
Text documents are not likely to make much of a damage in your overall storage, other than possibly on Google's starter plan with only 30 GB of drive storage.
One TB of space on Microsoft's many low-cost offering would be more than enough to house all of your Word files and plenty more.
Overall, the features across both M365 and Workspace will determine which one of these rates works for you.
Functions
Not every company needs extensive features for writing documents, however if you utilize your word processor to write more than one-page reports, there is a chance you will.
Google Docs is an excellent application for college students who want to be able to write standard documents with little format that they can access from anywhere they have an internet connection.
Anything more than that, and Docs does not hold a candle to the power of Word. Everything comes down to if Docs is enough.
Docs does have some features that Word Look at more info online does not, like the ability to modify text designs that you utilize consistently, in addition to an insertable table of contents.
The desktop version of Word has all the functions missing out on from its online offering, meaning they need to be added after the collaborative aspect of the document is finished.
Google's offering does not permit for particular changes to paragraph spacing or paragraph marks at all.
Word likewise has a deep library of design templates that help to develop the most aesthetically striking documents you can. This makes style easy, as the user just requires to change placeholder text and images, and input brand colors.
With the help of expert system, Word Ideas will make use of all its extra functions to help users produce the very best document possible. This includes the design and writing in overall.
Ideas might suggest a header format instead of by hand bolding and focusing text. Text ideas might be to eliminate jargon or abbreviations in favor of clearer wording.
Think about this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than just correct grammar, making your voice clearer.
Perhaps most notably, Word and its desktop apps offer performance across platforms. Those utilizing Microsoft 365 can quickly incorporate their PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets and charts, and other media from the M365 suite into their files, and vice versa.
Additionally, once documents reach a certain length, like in the case of research study or manuscripts, Google Docs becomes weighed down. Word is more skilled at dealing with long-form files without lag.
Considering that lots of businesses are already using versions of Microsoft applications, this enables much better crossover when dealing with other companies.
M365 users will likely have less problems opening documents from other business, a million of which likewise use Word worldwide.
When it pertains to features, Word and all of Microsoft 365 will take the crown.
Desktop apps have the capacity to house even more functions than a web app, and that can be seen across M365 and Workspace as a whole.
Partnership
The applications within Microsoft 365 were developed as private, fully formed programs, with the ability of online partnership included later in their life. On The Other Hand, Google Workspace was constructed with partnership in mind, leaving a few of the heftier functions behind.
Both offerings can be modified by several individuals simultaneously, conserving to the picked drive almost instantaneously.
Word lags somewhat in contrast to Docs, particularly when working out of the desktop app. Initially, it was not possible to send out a collective link in Word online, but that function has actually considering that been included.
It is also much easier to share files quickly through Docs, and the capability to change authorizations for other users appears immediately when trying to share.
That function is simply a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you need to save the file to OneDrive to avoid versioning issues.
While the gap isn't as big as some will make it seem, Google Docs is certainly much better for working together within companies. It is necessary to remember that you might run into compatibility problems with other companies that do not use Docs. Google has stated it will roll out compatibility with Microsoft files because the launch of their web apps, they are yet to deliver on that promise.
Given that cooperation has been a focal point throughout COVID-19, expect both suites to continue to focus on growing in this area.
Verdict
If you normally only keep in mind or write brief internal files, it might behoove you to take advantage of the collaborative elements of Google Docs.
If your business exports longer manuscripts for exclusive research study or utilizes extremely specific formatting, you'll definitely require Microsoft Word. If your service is sending out files to other organizations, Word and 365 must guarantee compatibility.
Remember that the word processors are only one piece of the Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace efficiency suites.
It is most likely that you are not making your choice based solely on these applications, however the functions discovered on Word might be absolutely required and force you toward M365.
IT Support Guys has actually leveraged the power of Microsoft 365 since 2008 when it was still called Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), and we have actually continued our partnership till today day.