The GDOC file type is a shortcut file format to open Google Docs documents stored in your Google Drive. The shortcut points to the online document rather than storing its text, and opening it depends on the document’s sharing settings.
You can create GDOC files with Google Drive for Desktop and open them through the Google Drive app or website. Keep reading to learn more about GDOC files.
More About the GDOC File
One of the benefits of Google Drive for Desktop is when you download it on your PC, you can easily access your Google Docs files directly from your computer. GDOC files act as shortcuts to open your cloud-stored Google Docs. They don’t contain the original document but only the information about it.
Copying a GDOC shortcut does not give someone access to the document. Share the document in Google Docs, or download a separate copy if you want to send its contents as a file.
How to Open GDOC Files
Opening a GDOC file is simple. Locate it in File Explorer (usually under Google Drive > My Drive) and double-click to open it. A text editor will not show the document’s formatted text because the shortcut does not contain it. To save the contents, open the document in Google Docs and choose File > Download.
When you double-click a GDOC file, it opens the document in your browser. You may need to sign in first. If you have several Google accounts, check that you are using one with permission to view the document; it does not have to be the owner’s account. An access-denied message means you should switch to an account that already has access or ask the owner to share the document with you.
If you want a copy you can edit offline, you have two practical options. With the document open in Google Docs, go to File > Download and pick a format such as Microsoft Word (.docx), PDF, or plain text (.txt) to save a true copy to your hard drive. The second option is to set up offline access in Chrome or Microsoft Edge while you are online, with the Google Docs Offline extension enabled and private browsing turned off. In Drive settings, enable offline access, then right-click the document in Drive on the web and choose Make available offline. Edits sync when you reconnect. The GDOC shortcut itself is still not a standalone backup of the document.
