Collaborate on Google Drive Google Drive offers a robust platform for collaboration, allowing teams to share files, edit documents in real-time, and manage permissions effectively. Alternatives to Google Drive Microsoft OneDrive Great if you use Microsoft Office / Windows — good integration, simple storage. Dropbox Reliable syncing, good for teamwork & sharing — widely supported on desktop/mobile. Box Reliable for business or professional use, especially with content management and secure sharing. Tools that work well for Google Drive collaboration Area LibreOffice (good) Microsoft Office (industry leader) Word processing Writer Word Spreadsheets Calc Excel Presentations Impress PowerPoint Illustrations Draw Visio Database Base Access Writer / Word 1. Essay 2. Letter 3. Report 4. Book 5. Paper Calc / Excel 1. Budget 2. Inventory 3. Analysis 4. Chart 5. Schedule Impress / PowerPoint 1. Presentation 2. Slideshow 3. Pitch 4. Tutorial 5. Workshop Draw / Visio / Publisher 1. Diagram 2. Flowchart 3. Illustration 4. Poster 5. Mockup Google Drive Desktop Sync 1. Sync : Keeps files on your computer and Google Drive automatically updated. 2. Offline & Integration : Access and edit files offline; works with Docs, Sheets, Slides. 3. Convenience : Simplifies file management, collaboration, and backup across devices. Install Drive for desktop - Google Workspace Learning Center File Locks • When you open a synced Word file in MS Word Desktop, Word usually locks the file locally while it’s open. • This prevents two Word instances from overwriting each other at the same time. • If someone else has the same file open on another computer, Word may show a message like: “The document is locked for editing by another user.”