Synchronize Google Docs Documents with Multiple PC via Dropbox

Do you want to edit your Google Docs documents offline and automatically update the changes in your Google Docs account files? In this situation, Dropbox can help you a lot.

Previously we published some useful implementation of Dropbox like remotely shut down pc from mobile, scheduling WordPress database backup to Dropbox etc. Here is Dropbox again in action.
With Dropbox, you can synchronize your Google Docs documents (document files, spreadsheet, presentations) across multiple computers. But to implement the synchronization of Google Docs documents with Dropbox you need another free synchronization tool, Syncplicity.

The working algorithm is that you first will have to have the Dropbox installed in your computers. If not, then do install Dropbox. Then go to Syncplicity and sign-up there for free to download the desktop client and connect your Google Docs account with it. The following steps are involved into getting connected and configured your Google Docs account and Syncplicity.

• Go to Syncplicity website and choose the free personal plan. It will land you to the page where you will have to put your details like name, email address, account passwords for the registration. Once you’ve successfully registered, you will get the download option for the desktop client tool. You can also land to the registration page directly from here.
• After downloading the application file, click on it to start the installation. This tools needs .NET Framework 3.0 or above. So if your computer is not pre-installed with minimum .NET Framework 3.0, it will be downloaded and installed at the time of the installation of Syncplicity. Though you can manually install the latest version of .NET Framework from Microsoft website.
• Once you are done with the installation procedure, you’ll have to put your Syncplicity account details and the computer name to register with Syncplicity. Click Next to proceed.

• In this step, you will be asked to select the folder that will be synchronized. Here the fun is waiting for you! Select the folder from your Dropbox folder. For convenience of work, create a folder, say Google Docs, under the Dropbox folder. Now in the Syncplicity’s configuration wizard, click on the “Add a new folder” link from the left side and select “Google Docs” from the right location and finally click OK.

You are done with configuring your computer with Syncplicity. What is left behind is that connecting your Syncplicity account with Google Docs account. To do so, go to the Syncplicity website again and click on “Google Docs” link from the navigation bar.

Click on the “Link to Google Docs” button, put your Google Docs account credentials, click on “Grant access” button, choose the folder “Google Docs” from the dropdown list beside “Existing folder” button and finally click on Finish.

You are done! All the Google docs files will be synchronized via Syncplicity to the folder Google Docs. Again it is a folder that resides under your Dropbox account folder. So every computer connected with Dropbox account will be updated and synchronized with those Google Docs files. You can now read your Google Docs documents offline, keep a offline backup of them from any computer that is connected with Dropbox. Even you can edit your documents offline and the changes will be updated automatically in Google Docs account.

FAQs

1. The Syncplicity itself is a synchronization tool for Google Docs and computer. So why do I need Dropbox?

Yes, Syncplicity is well enough to sync the Google Docs files to computer. But the free plan only allows of maximum two computers to be added with it. So if you have more than 2 computers that you like to sync with Google Docs, Dropbox is the best as it has no limitation on number of computers.

2. Is there any way to directly connect Dropbox with Google Docs?

Not at all. But I was reading about a project from the Dropbox developers to sync files from Google Docs. But they still did not release any application or script. Hope they will release the solution soon.

Related: Allow Blog Reader to Upload Files to Your Dropbox.