Forum Discussion
Converting Google docs to Microsoft Word, possible formatting changes?
If I download a Google doc (which is saved as a .docx) as a Microsoft Word document, am I guaranteed to have no formatting changes or other changes?
I'm the editor, and the layout artist needs Word docs, but the developer gives me Google docs. I'm afraid if I edit the Google docs, some changes could occur when the layout artist downloads the Google docs as Word docs for use in InDesign. Should I be afraid of this?
Yes, you should be afraid.
You are talking about two file conversions - > GoogleDocs -> Word -> InDesign.
Both of those conversions are likely to produce formatting inconsistencies/anomalies. These may not be noticeable until the documents are edited. Each of these programs uses different methods to format text and pages. The conversion methods these days are usually pretty good at making the result appear the same in the receiving program. However, the programs do not have a 1:1 correspondence of features/methods.
All I can say is to give it a try but be prepared.
3 Replies
Yes, you should be afraid.
You are talking about two file conversions - > GoogleDocs -> Word -> InDesign.
Both of those conversions are likely to produce formatting inconsistencies/anomalies. These may not be noticeable until the documents are edited. Each of these programs uses different methods to format text and pages. The conversion methods these days are usually pretty good at making the result appear the same in the receiving program. However, the programs do not have a 1:1 correspondence of features/methods.
All I can say is to give it a try but be prepared.
- Thank you for this information.
