How to Open DOCX Files in Google Docs

Several visit exports in the Nexus Engagement Hub produce Microsoft Word document files (DOCX). With a visit open, the visit exports can be found by clicking on the three dot icon in the upper right of the screen and choosing Export.

The visit exports that produce DOCX files are: Agenda, Name Tents, Name Badges, and Itinerary.

Uploading DOCX Files to Google Drive

Before you can open a DOCX file in Google Docs, you need to upload it to Google Drive.

  • First, navigate to Google Drive in your web browser and sign in to your Google account.
  • Once you're in, you’ll see a big “+ New” button on the left side of the screen. Click it.
  • In the dropdown menu, select “File upload.”
  • A file explorer window will pop up. Locate the DOCX file you want to upload, select it, and click “Open.”
  • Your file will start uploading. Once it finishes, it will appear in your Google Drive.

Opening DOCX Files in Google Docs

With your file now in Google Drive, you're ready to open it in Google Docs:

  • In Google Drive, locate the DOCX file you just uploaded.
  • Right-click on the file, and from the menu that appears, choose “Open with.”
  • Select “Google Docs” from the list of options.

The DOCX file will open in a new tab as a Google Docs document.

Converting DOCX Files to Google Docs Format

Once you open a DOCX file in Google Docs, it remains in DOCX format unless you choose to convert it.

  • Open the DOCX file in Google Docs.
  • Click “File” in the top menu.
  • Select “Save as Google Docs.”

After converting, you can enjoy all of the features that Google Docs offers without any format-related hiccups.

What if the formatting doesn't look right?

When opening a DOCX file in Google Docs, you might notice that the formatting doesn’t look exactly the way it did in Word. This could be due to differences in how the two programs handle certain fonts, styles, or layouts. Here’s how you can address this:

  • Go through the document and manually adjust any formatting inconsistencies you find.
  • Use the “Format” menu in Google Docs to make changes to text size, color, and paragraph spacing.