Google Docs makes collaborative editing easier on Microsoft Word

The Google Apps suite is deployed at more than five million businesses, but the internet giant knows better than to ignore the masses of enterprises subscribing to Microsoft Office 365. Like many other cloud software makers, Google has recognized the value in making its own platform compatible with others to foster productivity. Nevertheless, it looks like Google might have a few tricks in the bag, sidestepping the need for Office altogether. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company introduced a tiny but potentially powerful new feature designed to enable users to edit and share Office files — without Office. Starting today for the web version, Google Docs users can make Suggested Edits and convert tracked changes to Suggested Edits. (Support on mobile is promised to follow soon.) Any tracked changes in a .docx file will be automatically carried over to Docs as Suggested Edits. Users can collaborate with other team members in real time once these changes are imported to Google Docs.