converting word to google docs

[mrstrong]

what is easiest/best way to do this? e.g. is it possible to do via a script?

 

background: teacher has work sheets in word, prints and gives to kids to write in answers

some kids struggle with writing but are ok typing, so I need to get the word doc, (editable) onto a chromebook.

 

Looks like on a PC you can open a word doc in google docs, it doesn't convert it but lets you edit (with some limitations)

i.e. keeps in docx format.

 

Tried in Google Classroom, via assignment, attach file, word docx, make a copy for each student

but students get a read only view, they get option to convert but the converted google doc is private to them,

i.e. they can't just turn it in like with regular assignments they'd need to share it back to the teacher I think(?)

 

Only way I've found is if teacher uploads word doc to drive, opens in google docs (as docx) then does a save as google doc

and assigns that, but then you have two copies of the doc in drive and it's a faff / too long winded.

 

Any suggestions to simplify this?

[jmak]

Daft question (mine not yours): Is it permissions? Just seems odd that they can open it, but not edit. If it is, maybe a script that changes permissions so that at least it's a bulk task per document rather than per user+ per document.

[howartp]

https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2424368?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

 

Scroll down to "Convert documents into Google formats"

Edited December 3, 2020 by howartp

[mavhc]

Weirdly that option isn't there if you follow the link to https://drive.google.com/drive/settings but is if you click the cog yourself

[mrstrong]

just got back to this, thanks,

 

click cog like you said in drive, choose settings and tick "convert uploaded files to google docs editor format"

not sure if there is a system wide setting but probably best to let users choose anyway.

 

Like I said on PC you seem to be able to edit the docx in place with "Office Editing"

it highlights "docx" in filename to remind you.

On a chromebook I think you may need to install the extension: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/office-editing-for-docs-s/gbkeegbaiigmenfmjfclcdgdpimamgkj?hl=en

more info here: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6055139#convertcomputer

[TwistedHelixis]

On a chromebook I think you may need to install the extension

I just read that this is built (or should be) into Chrome OS already