How to Download View-Only Files from Google Drive (2024 Guide)
In this article, we will show you how to download view-only files from Google Drive. Simply follow the steps below.
How to Download View-Only Files from Google Drive
To download view-only files from Google Drive, follow the steps below.
1. Open the View-Only File in Google Drive
Open the file that you want to download from Google Drive. For example, if you have a document named “Report” that you can only view and not edit or download, ensure it is visible in your Drive.
2. Access the File Menu from the Menu Bar
Click the ‘File’ option from the menu bar at the top of the screen. This will open a drop-down menu with various options related to the document.
3. Choose the Download Option from the Drop-Down Menu
In the drop-down menu, look for and select the ‘Download’ option. This will open another menu with different formats you can download the file in.
4. Select the Desired Format for Download
Choose the format you would like to save the file in. For example, you can select ‘PDF Document (.pdf)’ or ‘Microsoft Word (.docx)’. This determines how the file will be saved to your computer. In this example, we will download the file into Microsoft Word (.docx).
5. Verify the Downloaded File in Your Downloads Folder
Open your ‘Downloads’ folder or the location where you saved the file. Verify that the file is there. For example, if you downloaded the “Report” as a PDF, look for “Report.pdf” in your ‘Downloads’ folder. Once downloaded, you can easily edit it and save the changes as needed.
Do remember that any changes you make won’t be applied to the original Google Docs file. Instead, they will be made to the document you downloaded and saved locally on your PC. However, if the sender transfers the file ownership in Google Drive to you, the original file will be editable.
We hope you now have a better understanding of how to download in Google Drive view-only files. If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our article on ways to remove a shortcut on Google Drive without deleting files or our article on ways to fix when viewers cannot download in Google Drive.
