Google Sheets is the best cloud-based spreadsheet program. It automatically saves and syncs data across multiple devices, allowing users access to spreadsheets from desktop and mobile devices.
It offers several benefits, including that users don’t need to keep pressing CTRL+S frequently to save documents.
But note that such online programs allow users to make edits until and unless they have an active internet connection.
Welcome to this excellent blog!
It is a quick guide about how to use Google Sheets offline. Let us discuss the fastest methods to enable offline sync for Google Sheets.
Let’s begin.
How to use Google Sheets Offline (Desktop)
The steps are pretty straightforward and remain the same for all Google products, including Google Docs and Slides.
Simply put, we are about to learn the steps to enable offline sync for Google Sheets.
STEP #1 – Make Sure Google Docs Offline Chrome Extension is installed
Users are allowed to edit Google Sheets offline through a browser extension named Google Docs Offline.
Here are the steps to check if the extension is installed:
- Hover to the upper-rightmost corner of your browser
- Click the three dots beside the accounts icon. Refer to the following image
- Select “Extensions” from the popup
- Now, click on “Manage Extensions“
- You will see the following screen
As you can see in the above image. The extension is already installed.
How to Install Google Docs Offline Chrome Extension
In your case, if you don’t find any extension. Then, visit this link and install the extensions.
Here’s how to do it.
- Open the extension page on the official Chrome Web Store. Click Here
- Click the “Add to Chrome” button
- A new dialog box will open, as shown below,
- Click on the “Add extension” option
- The installation will begin, and once done, you will see a popup as shown in the following image
Installing the Google Docs Offline extension is crucial. Without it, you won’t be able to edit any of Google products offline.
STEP #2 – Turn On Offline Sync for All Files
In this step, we will enable offline sync for all our Google Sheets. There are multiple ways to do so.
Let us discuss them one by one.
First Method
It is the most used method to turn on offline sync for Google Sheets.
- Go to the Google Sheets homepage by clicking here
- Hover to the upper-leftmost corner of the screen
- Click on the burger menu as shown in the following image
- A new side menu will appear
- Click on the “Settings” option
- You will see a new dialog box
- Toggle the switch for offline sync. Refer to the following image
- A notification will pop up in the lower-leftmost corner of the screen as “Setting up offline…“
- Click on the “DISMISS” button
- Now, press the “OK” button on the settings popup
Second Method
Using this method, you can turn on offline sync for all files without opening the settings popup.
It works if you have already created a Google Sheet. Refer to the following image, where I have a range of Google Sheets.
- Go to the Google Sheets homepage by clicking here
- Hover over any of the available Google Sheet
- Click on the three dots as shown below
- You will see a range of options
- Toggle the switch beside the “Available Offline” option
- A new dialog box will open, as shown below
- Click on the “Turn on” button
Third Method
It is the last option to turn on offline sync for all files. In my opinion, it is the quickest of all three methods.
- Open an existing Google Sheet or create a new one by clicking here
- Hover to the main menu
- Click on the “File” tab
- Choose the “Make available offline” option from the popup
- A new dialog box will open, as shown below
- Click on the “Turn on” button
- You will see a notification popup asking you to reload the current tab. Refer to the following image
- Click the “Reload” button
Now, all of your Google Sheets are ready to use offline.
How to use Google Sheets Offline on Mobile Devices
For people on the go, let us discuss how to enable offline sync for Google Sheets right from their smartphones.
The steps are pretty similar. But instead of a browser, we need to use the Sheets app.
If you still need to install the Google Sheets app on your mobile, click the following links.
- Android – Click Here!
- iPhone – Click Here!
There are three methods to turn offline sync for a Google Sheet.
First Method – Turn on Offline Sync for Recently Accessed Google Sheets
In this method, we can enable offline sync for multiple Google Sheets. Note that only recent files are made quickly available for offline use.
- Open the Google Sheets mobile app
- Hover to the upper-rightmost corner of the screen
- Tap on the Burger Menu as shown below
- A side menu will appear
- Choose “Settings“
- You will see a new dialog box
- Toggle the switch beside “Make recent files available offline“
- Close the dialog box by clicking the “X” button on the top right
Second Method – Turn on Offline Sync for a specific Google Sheet from the Homepage
In contrast to the previous method, it lets you edit a specific Google Sheet offline.
Let’s assume we need to enable offline sync for a Google sheet named Test, as shown in the following image.
- Open the Google Sheets mobile app
- Tap the three dots beside the name Test
- A new dialog box will be displayed
- Choose the “Make available offline” option
Third Method – Turn on Offline Sync for a specific Google Sheet from the file itself
If you want to use a specific Google Sheet offline instantly, this is your way.
- Open the Google Sheets mobile app
- Tap on the desired Google Sheet
- Once it is opened, hover to the upper-rightmost corner of the screen and click on the three dots as shown below
- A side menu will appear
- Toggle the switch beside the “Available offline” option
All of the three methods are quickest.
In contrast to desktop users, you don’t need any extension to use Google Sheets offline on mobile devices.
Things to consider while using Google Sheets offline
1. You need to enable offline syncing for each device
Google Sheets’s offline feature is device-specific. Once you enable offline syncing on a desktop, you must also enable it on mobile devices.
The steps to enable offline syncing for both desktop and mobile devices are discussed above in this article.
They remain the same for tablets or any other device.
2. Google Docs Offline extension Compatible Browsers
To edit a Google Sheet offline, you must install an extension named Google Docs offline on your desktop browser.
In the case of browsers like Mozilla Firefox and Opera, you don’t have the option to install the extension.
As of December 2023, the extension is compatible with Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers.
If you are wondering how Microsoft Edge is compatible with this extension, then know that most of the extensions on the Chrome Web Store can be added to Microsoft Edge.
3. Offline editing is not available in Incognito Mode
To edit Google Sheets offline, you must use your Google Chrome browser in standard mode.
This is due to the fact that the Incognito mode doesn’t record your browsing history and is not linked to any Google account. And, without a Google account, the Google Docs Offline extension doesn’t work.
So, while editing Google Sheets offline, make sure to use Google Chrome standard mode.
4. Make Google Chrome the default browser on Mac
Mac users are advised to select Google Chrome as the default browser. It avoids unnecessary popups while editing Google Sheets.
You need to go to System Preferences and click on General, followed by Default Web Browser. Then, choose Google Chrome from the list.
FAQs
Q. Can I use Google Sheets offline?
All of the Google products, including Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, etc., can be edited offline.
You must install an extension named Google Docs Offline and enable offline syncing.
In the above article, I have explained the step-by-step process for installing the extension and enabling offline editing. Make sure to read it till the end.
Q. What do I need to access Google Sheets offline?
We have discussed the step-by-step process for using Google Sheets offline in this article.
Here is the list of things you need:
- Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser
- Sign in to the browser using your Google account
- Use standard mode (Avoid using Private or Incognito mode)
- Google Docs Offline extension (Here is the link)
- An active internet connection for initial setup
- Free space on your local drive to store Google Sheets
Q. Why should I enable offline sync for Google Sheets?
There are multiple reasons to enable offline sync or use Google Sheets offline. One of the most obvious reasons is poor network.
The network is a big issue, particularly for people on the go. With Google Sheets offline editing, they can utilize the time efficiently and work even during limited or spotty internet.
A few unexpected scenarios also count here. For example, a poor network is inevitable during natural disasters such as storms and heavy rain.
So, the offline editing feature by Google Sheets is a lifesaver for people on the go and with a poor network.
Q. What features are unavailable while using Google Sheets offline?
Almost all tools and functions are accessible while editing Google Sheets offline. You can edit and add information, format cells per your preference, and perform various calculations using built-in functions.
However, a few features, such as team collaboration and file sharing, would be unavailable.
Team collaboration is one of the top Google Sheets features, which lets it dominate rivals. Offline editing is useless if your primary task is to sync changes and collaborate with teammates.
Apart from team collaboration and file sharing, users won’t be able to use Google Add-ons to download fonts and text styles from the cloud. If you have already downloaded fonts, then they are accessible.
Q. How do I know if a specific Google Sheet has offline access enabled?
It’s straightforward. There are two ways to do so, depending on whether you have a Google Sheet open.
You need to go to the top and click on the cloud icon beside the Google Sheet name. Refer to the following image.
A popup is displayed with a notification as “This document is ready for offline use“.
Another way to check if a Google Sheet has offline access enabled is by using the homepage. You can visit the Google Sheet homepage and search for the desired file.
An Available Offline icon appears below the Google Sheet name, as shown in the following image.
Q. What does it mean to Make a Google Sheet Available Offline?
Are you confused by the option named “Make available offline”?
It means that after clicking on the Make available offline option, you can open and edit the given file without an internet connection. It will be saved on your local drive with all the changes, and once you connect to the internet, the data is automatically synced.
In short, this feature lets you edit Google Sheets offline.
Conclusion
You can edit any Google Suite products offline using the steps discussed in this article.
Cloud-based spreadsheet programs have revolutionized the industry and offer a lot of flexibility.
But if you are always on the go or working as a freelancer who travels a lot, then this Google Sheets offline editing feature is for you.
I hope this article taught you all the bells and whistles of editing Google Sheets offline. Feel free to comment below if you are stuck somewhere or have any particular issue.
Our team will reply to you as soon as possible.
Also, don’t forget to check our blog for more tips and tricks to using Google Sheets like a pro.