Business travelers often choose airlines based on whether they offer reliable Wi-Fi. For these travelers, internet access needs to be both fast and dependable. While paying for Wi-Fi can be a consideration, it becomes less of an issue when the company covers the cost.
Many professionals rely on constant internet access to send messages or work with online systems. Reliable Wi-Fi is essential for them. Unfortunately, not all airlines offer Wi-Fi, and even the best airlines can have outages or experience slow speeds.
What about the rest of us who don’t necessarily work online but would still like to be productive on a plane? Can we get work done without in-flight Wi-Fi?
Can You Work Without Wi-Fi on a Flight?
On a previous flight, I had a couple of hours to finish some work. I managed to pull my head away from the window to grab my laptop.
I thought I’d work on some articles, but when I tried to connect to the Wi-Fi, my browser informed me there was no internet connection for the entire flight. (And if you’re wondering, I have finally upgraded from my old MacBook Air.)
Using Google Docs Offline
As I clicked around, I found a Google Docs file I had left open, and, to my surprise, it was still accessible. Even better, I could edit the document, and it informed me that changes were being saved offline.
Typically, if I wanted to work offline, I’d open a Notepad or Microsoft Word file. But I prefer Google Docs for its simplicity and formatting options. Curious, I tried opening a new document within Google Docs, and it worked perfectly!
I typed away for the remainder of the flight, copying my work to an email draft in case something went wrong. When we landed, I connected to the airport Wi-Fi (shoutout to Austin Airport for its excellent free Wi-Fi!), and my Google Doc automatically uploaded to my account.
How to Use Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides Offline
I was amazed that I could use Google Docs without an internet connection. Here’s how to enable offline mode for Google Drive apps when using Chrome:
If you aren’t connected to the Internet, you can still view and edit files, including:
- Google Docs
- Google Sheets
- Google Slides
Save and open Google Docs, Sheets & Slides offline
You can save the most recently opened documents on your computer.
Before you turn on offline access
- You must be connected to the internet.
- You must use the Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser.
- Don’t use private browsing.
- Install and turn on Google Docs Offline Chrome extension.
- Make sure you have enough available space on your device to save your files.
How to turn on offline access
- Open Google Drive.
- At the top right, click Settings
Settings. - Turn on Offline setting.
- If you are using Microsoft Edge, you will be redirected to the Chrome Web Store to download the Google Docs Offline extension.
- To work offline, open Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
Tip:
- You can turn on offline access from Docs, Sheets, or Slides settings. If you turn on offline access for Docs, Sheets, Slides, or Drive, then the rest will also be available offline.
- Alternatively, to turn on offline access, open any Google document, spreadsheet, or presentation. At the top, next to the file title, click See document status
Turn on Turn on. - If you want to use offline access for another Google Account, make sure you’re signed in to the right Chrome or Edge profile. Learn how to switch Chrome profiles.
Make specific files available offline
If you have enough storage, some of your most recent files will be automatically saved offline. To manually select files to save offline:
- Follow the steps above to turn on offline access in Google Drive.
- Open the Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides home screen.
- On the file you want to use offline, click More
. - Click Available offline. A check mark will appear in the bottom left corner to show that the file is available offline.
Tip: You can also make a file available offline by opening a Google document, spreadsheet, or presentation, and clicking File
Make available offline.
Final Thought
Maybe I’m the last to discover Google Docs’ offline mode, but it was a game-changer for working on a plane without Wi-Fi. Previously, I’d use a notepad for offline work, but copying and pasting into other applications was tedious. With Google Docs, I can view, edit, and create new documents seamlessly offline. I’ll be using this feature in the future.
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