Google Docs Desktop App

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4. Download Google Docs Desktop App

When it comes to word-processing, Google Docs is my top pick at any given time of the day. Same goes for Sheets and Slides, which are leagues ahead in terms of convenience when compared to desktop-based apps such as Excel and PowerPoint.

App that makes you sound funny. However, launching them can feel tedious at times since you first need to open a browser before you can do that. And getting to your files can take even more time since you have to manually search for them via each web app's user interface.

Fortunately, creating a desktop shortcut to get to your favorite Google productivity app is super easy, and there are multiple ways to do so.

And even better, you can also choose to generate shortcuts to any specific Docs, Sheets, or Slides file should you so wish to! How cool is that?

Even existing word processing software that offer better and more powerful editing features are also incorporating online collaboration tools now. So, if you are not happy with Google Docs, and you've been looking for some of the best Google Docs alternatives, we've listed the top 12 apps that can replace Google Docs in 2020. You have Google Docs, the free online word processing software created by the information tech giant. Its web-based program provides Google account users with the platform to write documents.

Also on Guiding Tech #google docs Click here to see our google docs articles page

Chrome's Add to Desktop Functionality

Chrome features a nifty feature dubbed Add to Desktop that lets you easily create desktop shortcuts out of any web page. And since the Docs, Sheets, and Slides Web apps are basically pages within a browser, you can use it to generate shortcuts with no problems whatsoever.

Step 1: Launch the Google web app of your choice, and then open the Chrome menu.

Afterward, simply point to More Tools, and then click Add to Desktop.

Step 2: You should now be prompted with a pop-up box where you can opt to name the shortcut — do that.

Click Add, and you should see a shortcut appear instantly within your desktop.

To create shortcuts to a specific Docs, Sheets, or Slides file, just open it within your browser and follow the same procedure.

Yeah, it's really that simple!

Note: Admittedly, shortcuts created this way look just like default browser icons. Fortunately, you can customize the appearance of these shortcuts, and we go over that later on in this article so do keep reading!

Drag and Drop URL to Desktop

This method is even faster and can be performed on any Web browser. However, you need to be in windowed mode since you must perform a drag n' drop to desktop.

To begin, open Docs, Sheets, or Slides — or a file if you want to create a shortcut to one — and left-click once within the address bar to highlight the URL.

Now, simply drag and drop the URL onto your desktop, and you should see a shortcut appear instantly!

If it's a file, the shortcut should be automatically named with the appropriate file name. Super cool, right?

Create Desktop Shortcut Manually

Creating manual shortcuts can be a drag compared to the two methods above, but you should find it useful if you have a bunch of Docs, Sheets, or Slides files that you want to create shortcuts for without having to open them in a browser first.

Step 1: Just right-click a vacant area on your desktop — or any other location within File Explorer — and click Shortcut under New.

Step 2: Simply enter the URL of the Docs, Sheets, or Slides Web apps, or paste the URL of a specific file. Once done, click Next to proceed.

Step 3: Insert a name for the shortcut on the subsequent screen, and then click Finish.

That's it! Simply repeat the procedure for any other shortcuts that you want to create, but make sure to add different names so that they don't conflict with each other.

Download Google Drive For Windows 10

Install Backup and Sync From Google

Rather than creating shortcuts yourself, there is another way to get original Docs, Sheets, and Slides shortcuts on your desktop. However, that involves installing Backup and Sync, so only use this method if you don't mind an additional background app from slowing things down at startup.

Just download and install Backup and Sync, and you should see your shortcuts placed neatly on the desktop.

Download Backup and Sync

To have shortcuts for individual files, however, you need to resort to the three methods that are listed above.

Note: Installing Backup and Sync causes various files or documents stored on Google Drive to start syncing locally. To manage your sync settings, click the Backup and Sync icon on the system tray, click the Ellipsis icon, and then click Preferences. Also on Guiding Tech Google Docs vs Dropbox Paper : Which is the Best? Read More

Bonus Tips

Before we wrap things up, let's go over a couple of tips to enhance the functionality of your newly added shortcuts.

Work Offline

Yeah, you added a bunch of file shortcuts, but you still need an internet connection before you can start working on a document, right?

Wrong.

With some preparation beforehand, you can configure any file to open even when you are offline. Simply head over to Docs, Sheets, or Slides, and then use the Ellipsis icon next to a file to prepare it for offline usage.

Any changes that you make are then synced automatically once you get back online.

Note: If you don't see the Available Offline option, you need to have the Google Docs Offline add-on installed. To get the extension, open the Docs, Sheets, or Slides menu, click Settings, and then click the switch next to Available Offline.

Google Docs Desktop App Windows 10

Customizing Shortcuts

If you used the first three methods to create shortcuts to Docs, Sheets, or Slides, then you must've noticed that they look just like ordinary Chrome shortcuts.

However, you can customize them to look just like their respective Web apps by changing the default icon for each shortcut.

Step 1: First, download the Docs, Sheets, or Slides icons in the ICO format from an icon repository such as Iconfinder.

Step 2: Next, right-click a shortcut, and then select Properties

Step 3: Click Change Icon under the Web Document tab.

Step 4: Select the icon that you downloaded, and then click OK.

You should find the boring Chrome icon replaced with the icon that you just applied.

Looks better now, right?
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Also on Guiding Tech How to Remove Page Breaks to Make Continuous Pages in Google Docs Read More

Launch 'em In No Time

Google's suite of productivity apps are a blast to work with. And things get even better when you can readily access whatever app or file that you want to work on directly from desktop. It's sure to elevate your level of productivity to a whole new level.

So, what was your top pick for creating the Docs, Sheets, or Slides shortcuts? Know of any other cool ways to place them on your desktop? Do share in comments.

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.Read Next

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