Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Includes with Seamless Cooperation

Managed IT Support - Microsoft Word or Google Docs: Balancing Powerful Includes with Seamless Cooperation

Just how much do you need out of a word processor? With Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it depends upon what you are trying to achieve.

When considering whether your organization should use Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, the difference in between each's data processing applications could be the make or break aspect.

Microsoft Word and Google Docs both serve as cloud-connected writing hubs, but the value of your files might form your choice.

As users will see throughout M365 and Workspace, the difference in between desktop and web apps is about balancing some of Microsoft's much deeper features and Google's focus on collaboration.

In this post, we will take a look at the differences between Word and Docs, breaking down how the advantages and disadvantages of each could impact your workflow.

Pricing

Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace are priced per user, monthly, and have different tiers of pricing. As it pertains to Word and Docs, the distinction in tiers generally just impacts storage space and availability of the Word desktop app.

The desktop apps are not available through Microsoft's Business Basic plan ($ 5/user/month), so users at that level will need to be satisfied with Word Online.

Microsoft offers its apps for as low as $8.25/ user/month, but users then lose on other functions like Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and Exchange Online.

Every Google Workplace subscription comes with all its web apps. Google does not have downloadable desktop apps, and all must be run out of a web internet browser.

When it comes to how much drive storage is offered throughout all these memberships, see the graphic below:

A grid revealing the prices and storage abilities of Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace

Text files are not most likely to make much of a damage in your total storage, except possibly on Google's starter plan with only 30 GB of drive storage.

One TB of space on Microsoft's many inexpensive offering would be sufficient to house all of your Word files and plenty more.

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Overall, the functions throughout both M365 and Workspace will determine which among these prices works for you.

Features

Not every business needs comprehensive features for composing documents, but if you use your word processing program to write more than one-page reports, there is a possibility you will.

Google Docs is a fantastic application for university student who wish to be able to write standard documents with little formatting that they can access from anywhere they have an internet connection.

Anything more than that, and Docs does not compare the power of Word. It all comes down to if Docs is enough.

Docs does have some features that Word online does not, like the capability to modify text designs that you use consistently, in addition to an insertable table of contents.

The desktop variation of Word has all the features missing from its online offering, indicating they must be added after the collaborative element of the file is finished.

Nevertheless, Google's offering does not permit specific adjustments to paragraph spacing or paragraph marks at all.

Word also has a deep library of design templates that assist to develop the most visually striking documents you can. This makes style basic, as the user only requires to replace placeholder text and images, and input brand colors.

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With the microsoft office 365 solutions assistance of artificial intelligence, Word Ideas will utilize all its extra features to assist users create the best document possible. This includes the layout and writing in overall.

Ideas may suggest a header format rather of manually bolding and centering text. Text recommendations might be to get rid of lingo or abbreviations in favor of clearer wording.

Think about this as the next generation of spellcheck, as it does more than simply proper grammar, making your voice clearer.

Perhaps most significantly, Word and its desktop apps offer performance across platforms. Those using Microsoft 365 can easily integrate their PowerPoint slides, Excel sheets and charts, and other media from the M365 suite into their files, and vice versa.

In addition, as soon as files reach a specific length, like in the case of research study or manuscripts, Google Docs becomes weighed down. Word is more skilled at dealing with long-form documents without lag.

Thinking about that numerous companies are currently utilizing variations of Microsoft applications, this enables better crossover when working with other business.

M365 users will likely have fewer issues opening documents from other business, a million of which also utilize Word worldwide.

When it concerns functions, Word and all of Microsoft 365 will take the crown.

Desktop apps have the capacity to house far 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 individual, completely formed programs, with the ability of online partnership included later in their life. On The Other Hand, Google Workspace was developed with collaboration in mind, leaving a few of the heftier functions behind.

Both offerings can be modified by several people simultaneously, conserving to the chosen drive almost immediately.

Word lags somewhat in contrast to Docs, specifically when working out of the desktop app. Originally, it was not possible to send a collaborative link in Word online, however that feature has actually considering that been included.

It is also easier to share documents quickly through Docs, and the ability to alter approvals for other users appears instantly when trying to share.

That feature is simply a bit harder to reach with Microsoft, and you should save the file to OneDrive to prevent versioning concerns.

While the gap isn't as big as some will make it seem, Google Docs is certainly better for collaborating within companies. It is important to keep in mind that you may run into compatibility problems with other business that do not utilize Docs. Google has said it will roll out compatibility with Microsoft files since the launch of their web apps, they are yet to provide on that guarantee.

Given that collaboration has actually been a centerpiece during COVID-19, anticipate both suites to continue to focus on growing in this location.

Verdict

How much does a company requirement in their word processor? It depends on the strength of your files.

If you generally only take notes or compose brief internal documents, it may behoove you to make the most of the collective elements of Google Docs.

If your business exports longer manuscripts for proprietary research study or utilizes extremely particular formatting, you'll absolutely need Microsoft Word. If your service is sending out files to other businesses, Word and 365 needs to guarantee compatibility.

The word processors are only one piece of the Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace performance suites.

It is most likely that you are not making your choice based entirely on these applications, however the features discovered on Word could be definitely required and require you towards M365.

IT Support Guys has actually leveraged the power of Microsoft 365 considering that 2008 when it was still called Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS), and we have continued our collaboration till the present day.