How to move Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Dropbox is changing the way that Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are created and stored in Dropbox. If you’ve created any Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides on dropbox.com, you’ll need to configure your preferences to move or convert in order to maintain access to them. This change will ensure you can use up-to-date Google features while keeping your files organized with the rest of your Dropbox content.  
 

There are two options to do so: 

1. Move the files to Google Drive (GDrive) and replace them with Dropbox shortcuts. You’ll need to sign in and link to your Google Account in order to move files to Google Drive. This is the recommended option. 
   • Your Google files will be automatically migrated to Google Drive and replaced with corresponding shortcuts in Dropbox within 30 days.
2. Convert the Google files (.gdoc, .gsheet, .gslide) to the equivalent Microsoft Office file formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx). 

How to find Google files in your Dropbox account

Use Dropbox search to review your Google files before uploading or converting your documents. To do this:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Click the search bar at the top of the page.
3. Search for each individual file type: .gdoc, .gsheet, and .gslides.

How to move your files to Google Drive

To move your files, you can click the button in your email or the banner that pops up on dropbox.com. To do so: 

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
   • A pop-up window will appear to move or convert your Google Files.
2. Select Move Google files to Google Drive with shortcuts.
3. Click Next.
4. Click Link Account.
5. Follow the prompts to link your Google account with the same email address as your Dropbox account.

Once your accounts are linked, your Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides will be uploaded to a new folder called “Dropbox” on Google Drive and shortcuts to these files will be added to your Dropbox account to replace the original files.

How to convert your files to Microsoft Office formats 

To convert your files, you can click the button in your email or the banner that pops up on dropbox.com. To do so: 

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
   • A pop-up window will appear to move or convert your Google Files.
2. Select Convert Google files to Microsoft Office files. 
3. Click Next. 

Your documents will automatically be converted to the equivalent file types in your Dropbox account.
 

If you don’t see the option to move or convert files, you can do so from your account settings. To do this:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the top-right corner.
3. Click Settings. 
4. Click Apps. 
5. Click Configure next to Manage preference and follow the prompts.

Admins: How to manage the Dropbox integration with Google Drive

If you’re a team or content admin, you can manage which file editing apps can be used by your team. If your team has created any Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides on dropbox.com, they’ll need to choose whether to move their files to Google Drive or convert them to the Microsoft Office equivalents.
 

Moving their Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides to Google Drive ensures your team can use up-to-date Google features while keeping the files organized with the rest of the team’s Dropbox content. Google files can be opened and edited in Google Drive.

Google files that are in a team folder will be converted to Microsoft Office equivalents since they don’t have a single owner. However, you can move those converted files to Google Drive. To do so:

1. Log in to dropbox.com.
2. Click the name of a converted file to open the preview.
3. Click File in the upper left. 
4. Click Save As….
5. Click Google Doc shortcut. 
6. Click Save to use the same sharing permissions as the original file. 

If you don’t want to keep being asked about permissions, check the box next to Don’t ask me again. If prompted, allow Dropbox access to your Google account. 

Once migration is completed, reports for users and admins will be generated as a .csv file. Admins will see a file titled “Google Migration Report - Admin.csv” in dropbox.com.

FAQ

What happens to my sharing settings if I move my files to Google Drive?

If you move files to Google Drive, the same sharing settings will be applied to your Google files.

What happens to my sharing settings if I convert to Microsoft Office files?

If you convert to Microsoft Office files, existing sharing settings will be respected.

How do I know which option is the best? 

In most cases, we recommend moving your files over to Google Drive and using Dropbox shortcuts. If you use many shared folders or share with non-Google users, we recommend converting to Microsoft Office formats. 

What happens if I don’t do anything? 

If you don’t respond to the prompt by the date communicated to you via email, we’ll automatically convert your files into Microsoft Office formats since we are unable to automatically link your Google and Dropbox accounts. 

What do I do if I get an error message moving files to Google Drive? 

If any files were unable to be converted, you'll find a report in your Dropbox account titled “Google Migration Report.csv”. We also recommend checking your storage space on Google Drive and then manually uploading documents.

Will my documents keep the same formatting after moving to Google Drive?

Yes, your documents will keep the same formatting and content after moving to Google Drive.

Will permission settings change after moving to Google Drive?

You’ll be able to choose whether to apply the same permissions/roles when uploading to Google. If you have any group permissions, they’ll stay the same after your files are moved.

Will I still be able to track version history in my documents?

Dropbox shortcuts won’t track version history for changes made on Google Drive.  You’ll need to use Google Drive for that.

What happens to storage in my Dropbox account?

Moving files manually or as a result of the migration will free up space in your Dropbox account, but will impact storage capacity in your Google Drive account.

What happens if a file I’m moving has the same name as an existing file in Google Drive?

If a file you’re moving has the same name as an existing file in Google Drive, the duplicate file from dropbox.com will have a number appended to the name. For example: “example.docx” and  “example (1).docx”.

Can I still open Microsoft files with Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides?

You’ll no longer be able to open Microsoft Office files in Google Drive in Dropbox. To continue editing, an additional Microsoft Office license may be needed.