It depends on the situation. Two options are explained below:
Option 1: Uploading and Storing
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You are allowed to upload documents to Google Drive and choose not to convert them into Google Docs format.
- In this case the document is simply stored in its original form on Google's server.
- You can then share the document with others, who will be able to download it in its original form.
- Non-Compatible File types such as Adobe Photoshop or AutoCad will be uploaded and stored using this option.
Option 2: Uploading and Converting
- You can choose to upload a document to Google Drive and have it converted into Google's format.
- In this case some formatting may be lost in the conversion, because Google Docs does not have as many formatting and features as Office.
- In general the simpler the document, the more accurately it will convert if you choose to convert it.
- Documents would be accessible through the web so users can work on their documents from anywhere on any device.
- Documents can be shared and collaborated easily.
Compatible file types
These are the file types that can be converted to a Google document, spreadsheet, or presentation:
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For documents: .doc (if newer than Microsoft® Office 95), .docx, .docm .dot, .dotx, .dotm, .html, plain text (.txt), .rtf, .odt
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For spreadsheets: .xls (if newer than Microsoft® Office 95), .xlsx, .xlsm, .xlt, .xltx, .xltm .ods, .csv, .tsv, .txt, .tab
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For presentations: .ppt (if newer than Microsoft® Office 95), .pptx, .pptm, .pps, .ppsx, .ppsm, .pot, .potx, .potm, .odp
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For drawings: .wmf
- For OCR: .jpg, .gif, .png, .pdf
Macros are not supported at this time and will be dropped during conversion.