Google Drive Plugin for Microsoft Office Launched for Easier Syncing

Google has made it easier for users to open any Office files stored on Google Drive directly in Office apps, edit them, and save them back to Google Drive. The feature comes with the release of a new plugin by Google for Microsoft Office on Windows, making syncing changes to files stored on Drive easier.

Using the Google Drive plugin, any local files can also be saved on the Google's cloud storage platform directly from the Office apps. The feature however, might be more useful when sharing files with teams or for file access from different devices. To download the plugin, users would have to visit the Google Tools page, simply click on the 'Download' option below, and click on 'Accept and install' the binary file of 910KB. Following that, users will have to associate their Google account. Once set up, the Google Drive features its own tab in the File pane, and its own Google Drive pane as well. This integration is what separates it from the Google Drive app for Windows.

Microsoft last month rolled out Skype for Business integration for Office 365 for Web, using which Office users can start an instant chat or voice/ video conversation with their colleagues directly and without leaving from the Inbox, OneDrive for Business or Calendar application. Other updates include quick access to notifications pane, inclusion of real-time system alerts and personal reminders under Notifications, new Help pane, and the "what's new" feature. Changes for Admins have also been made along with the introduction of new Settings page.

The Redmond-based tech giant also brought Microsoft Office Remote enabling users to control their presentations remotely via their Android devices. The ability to edit Office files directly from Dropbox was also announced in April.