Working with remote and in-office colleagues? Learn how to thrive in hybrid work environments.

10 tips to work with people not on Google Workspace

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Coffee, pen, devices, etc.

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1

Schedule events and video meetings""

In Calendar, you can schedule events and video meetings with people who don’t have Google Workspace accounts. Guests will get an email invitation and can respond. Using Google Meet, any guest can join your meeting by clicking the link in your invitation or entering the meeting code on meet.google.com.

Note: If you're entering another organization’s meeting or don't have a Google Workspace account, you can still join video meetings; however, a participant might need to approve your request to join.

Learn how

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2

Work on Microsoft Office files—even if you don’t have Office""

In Google Workspace, you can still work on Office files, even if you don't have Office. You can edit Office files in a Chrome browser or Chromebook, convert files to Google formats, and more.

Learn how

Drive

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3

Share Google Docs editors files in an Office format""

If the person you’re working with uses Office, you can send them a copy of your Docs, Sheets, and Slides files in an Office format. For example, you can create a file in Docs and then email it to someone as a Microsoft Word file.

Learn how

Docs, Sheets, and Slides

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4

Comment on Office files from Drive""

Comment on Office files, Adobe PDF files, and more right from Drive. People you work with can reply back, even if they’re not using Google Workspace. For example, if a co-worker opens a file using Word, they’ll see your comments in the file and can reply.

Learn how

Drive

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5

Share Google files for anyone to access""

You can share Drive files or folders with someone whether they have a Google Account or not.* Just share the file with their email address. People who don't have a Google Account get an email invitation (with a PIN) to collaborate on the shared file or folder. After people sign in with the PIN, they can view, comment on, suggest edits to, and directly edit files and folders. 

*Visitor sharing must be on for your organization. See Share documents with visitors.

Learn how

Drive

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6

Import and convert documents, spreadsheets, and presentations to Google formats""

If you’re working on non-Google documents, spreadsheets, or presentations, you can import them to Docs, Sheets, or Slides. You can then edit them in their original format, or convert them to a Google format. For example, you can convert a Word file to Docs and then edit and comment on it simultaneously with your team. If your file has comments or tracked changes, they’re converted to Docs comments and suggestions.

Learn how

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7

Share your network files from Google Drive instead""

If you’re currently sharing files from a private network or in Microsoft OneDrive, you can move them to Drive where Google Workspace users can share them, too.

Learn how

Drive

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8

Share large files""

Emailing large files isn’t always possible. Different email providers can have different attachment limits. Instead of emailing a large file to someone, share the file from Drive. When the person clicks the link in the email, it opens on the web, even if they’re not using Google Workspace or don’t have a Google Account.

Learn how

Drive, shared drives

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9

Keep shared files secure""

The sharing features and access controls in Drive make working with external partners simple and secure. For example, when sharing sensitive files, you can prevent people from downloading, printing, or copying them. You can also set an expiration date on files so external partners or agencies can no longer access them once a project ends.

If you’re downloading an external file, Drive scans most files for viruses first. If a virus is detected, the file won’t be downloaded.

Learn how

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10

Share files with groups""

Share your Google calendars, sites, and documents with several people at once using Google Groups. Everyone in the group gets access to all files shared with the group. People can be inside or outside of your organization. You can add people to the group as needed, or remove someone who should no longer have access.

Learn how

Groups

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Google, Google Workspace, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. All other company and product names are trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.

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