Google has made it easier than ever to make changes to Microsoft Office documents sent to you via email by giving Gmail users the ability to open and edit Word, Excel, and Powerpoint files inside their web browser with just one click.
“We realize that as a Docs user, you still sometimes have to work with different file types, so we often launch updates to make it a little smoother for you,” the search giant explained in a Google+ post. “It’s now even easier for you to edit Office files where you often come across them—as attachments in your email.”
Here’s how it works: When you receive Word, Excel, or Powerpoint files as email attachments, you’ll now be greeted by a new “edit” button. Click this and your document will automatically be converted and opened inside Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides. When you’re finished, you can simply save it, export it, or sent it via email.
If you don’t want to change the format of the document you’re opening, Google recommends installing the Office Editing extension for Google Chrome, which lets you open Office documents in their original format, and then maintains it even after editing.
Google has also increased the number of Office file types support by its web-based productivity apps listed above, with 15 different formats having been added in total — including those for Powerpoint presentations saved in the .pps and .ppsx formats.
Source: Google+
