Google Docs

Writing Studio doesn’t connect to Google Docs directly. Instead, you move a paper between them with a Word (.docx) file, which both can open. It works in both directions.

Open your paper in Google Docs

1. In Writing Studio, open the paper and click Export in the document bar, or press ⌘⇧E (Ctrl+Shift+E on Windows).
2. Click Word (.docx). The file downloads to your computer.
3. Go to Google Drive and click New > File upload, then choose the file.
4. Double-click the uploaded file in Google Drive to open it in Google Docs.
5. To turn it into a Google Doc you can edit freely, choose File > Save as Google Docs in Google Docs.

Your headings, citations, reference list, images and tables come across. Charts and diagrams arrive as pictures. See Export your paper for the layout and assignment header options.

Bring a Google Doc into Writing Studio

1. In Google Docs, open the document and choose File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx).
2. In Writing Studio, click New document in the left sidebar.
3. Click Import from Word and choose the file you downloaded.

The document opens as a new paper, with its headings, lists, tables and images. Comments in the file come in too. See Import a Word document.

Make your citations live

Citations typed in Google Docs come in as plain text. When Writing Studio shows “This draft’s citations are typed.”, click Make them live. They become real citations linked to your library, and your reference list builds itself. This uses one citation check. See Turn typed citations into live ones.

What to expect

• Citations become text in Google Docs. In the exported file, citations and the reference list are formatted text in your citation style, so they won’t reformat if you change styles in Docs. Each reference links to its DOI or web address.
• Each move is a copy. Edits in Google Docs don’t reach Writing Studio, and edits in Writing Studio don’t reach Google Docs.
• Comments only travel one way. Comments in a Word file you import come in, but exports from Writing Studio don’t include comments.
• Your look may change. Fonts and spacing from Google Docs don’t come in. Writing Studio uses its own look, and you pick the layout again when you export.

Tip

If you want to write with other people, you can share the paper in Writing Studio instead of moving it to Google Docs. Your collaborators can comment and edit, and citations stay live. See Share a paper.

What’s not supported

• A direct connection, sync or add-on for Google Docs or Google Drive.
• Opening a Google Docs link in Writing Studio. Download the file as .docx first.
• Editing the same paper in both at the same time.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Google Docs add-on or Drive sync?

No. Writing Studio doesn't connect to Google Docs or Google Drive. A Word file is how you move a paper between them.

If I edit the paper in Google Docs, does Writing Studio update?

No. Each export or import is a copy. Changes you make in Google Docs stay there until you download the file again and import it as a new paper.

Does signing in with Google connect my Google Drive?

No. Signing in with Google only uses your Google account to sign you in. Writing Studio doesn't read or save files in your Google Drive.

Where to go next

Microsoft WordImport a Word document as a paper, and export your paper as a Word file with its citations and reference list.Import a Word documentBring a Word .docx file into Writing Studio as a new paper, with its headings, images and comments.Export your paperDownload your paper as a Word file, PDF, LaTeX project or web page, or copy it, with citations and references formatted for you.Share a paperInvite people to edit, comment on or view your paper, or open it to anyone with the link.

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