Overview
Google Docs can be easily exported and saved as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file directly from your browser. This guide walks you through the steps to download a Google Document as a Word file.
Applies to: Staff Faculty Students
Step-by-Step Guide
Instructions
1 Open the Document You Want to Convert
Navigate to Google Drive and open the Google Document you wish to convert to a Word file.
●Click on the document title to open it in Google Docs.
2 Select File from the Menu Bar
With your document open, click File in the top menu bar to reveal the file options menu.
3 Select Download
From the File menu, hover over or click Download to expand the list of available file formats.
4 Choose Microsoft Word (.docx)
From the Download submenu, select Microsoft Word (.docx). Your browser will begin downloading the file automatically.
●Follow your browser's standard save/download prompts to choose where to save the file on your device.
⚠ Important Note
Any changes made to the downloaded Word document will not sync back to the original Google Document in your Drive. The two files are independent once the download is complete. If you need to make further edits and share them, consider editing directly in Google Docs or re-uploading the Word file to Drive.
Support & Assistance
Get Help
Need additional assistance with Google Docs or file conversions?