Google Drive sucks.

[revnort]

If your intent is to work collaboratively, create the doc natively in Drive. f that doesn't give you the formatting options you need to finish the document, download the doc into your format of choice, and then apply finishing touches.

You're blaming a wrench for being a bad hammer.

Seems to me your issue is with the file format, i.e. Google Docs, not Google Drive.

I use Google Drive heavily; my home, work, mobile, laptop all have the same docs folder. I don't have one Google Doc file.

This and this. Anytime you convert a file from one format to another you get errors. As stated either upload it unconverted, or start with a Google doc.

This has to do with you and your team using the tools improperly and not the service. Without even trying it I'd bet the same is true of you convert a google doc to PowerPoint. You have to stick with one format for editing. This has always been true of any file format...

I'd suggest future proofing and using googles format. Its uh free after all. Last I checked Microsoft charges money...

 

[Reli]

Create a file in google's native format, ok....Too bad it doesn't give you nearly as many options / functions as regular Office software does.

 

[mike23w]

funny thing is converting powerpoint on PC to powerpoint on mac (and vice versa) doesn't always work either. it's not really google's fault (although you can blame them for trying to reverse engineer microsoft's proprietary/closed file format)

 

[psychocandy]

I use Google Drive at work for lots of stuff. It's clunky, but it's free and offers universal access. Sharing the things you're sharing would probably be a lot harder or way less free any other way. I know it's fun to rag, but it's a pretty awesome free service.

If it's important enough that you and the other businesses you're working with are willing to pay. Try box.com. They're a new competitor to dropbox.com and their interface is a little more user friendly and flexible.

 

[TylerW]

Create a file in google's native format, ok....Too bad it doesn't give you nearly as many options / functions as regular Office software does.

What options do you need?

 

[hank2012]

Why aren't you using OneDrive ( formally known as SkyDrive ). It comes with free cloud-based Microsoft Office. Check it out, it's pretty cool.

 

[tzrider]

If you're editing a Google Word doc, you need to put the cursor like an inch to the right of where you want to start typing. WTF?

Back on this issue, Google Docs will do this whether the doc is imported or native. It seems to be related to changing the browser zoom level. In my experience you can get the cursor to behave by simply refreshing the page in the browser. While you shouldn't have to do that, it does seem to realign the visible cursor with your real position in the doc.

 

[revnort]

Create a file in google's native format, ok....Too bad it doesn't give you nearly as many options / functions as regular Office software does.

OK, so you want to use the microsoft format...then don't convert it to Google's format and everything is fine.

All bets are off if you convert the file to another format. Again, that is nothing new.

 

[tzrider]

OK, so you want to use the microsoft format...then don't convert it to Google's format and everything is fine.

All bets are off if you convert the file to another format. Again, that is nothing new.

Again, at least one of his complaints has nothing to do with document conversion; it will also happen to Google native docs.

 

[revnort]

Again, at least one of his complaints has nothing to do with document conversion; it will also happen to Google native docs.

I have not experienced this one. Sounds like it sucks.

That is not a google drive issue though, it is google docs...

I am sure they will fix the bug eventually. Still seems kind of a minor complaint for a free service.

 

[tzrider]

I am sure they will fix the bug eventually. Still seems kind of a minor complaint for a free service.

You'd think they would fix it, but the issue has persisted for years.

If Google Docs were only a free service you'd have a point. Given that it's tied to their Google Docs for Business offering (which behaves the same way) it's really something they should fix.

 

[cat_in_sf]

Problem located in front of desk.

Not necessarily. If you use google to edit a custom-formatted Word, Excel or Powerpoint document, the custom formatting will be replaced with the Default formats. Seriously. It cannot be used on anything complicated.