- Microsoft Office password protected files are now fully compatible with Google Workspace
- Previously, users had to download the files and open them in other software
- Google’s commitment to interoperability and removal of vendor lock-in is evident
An important new update to Google Workspace means you can now edit password-protected Microsoft Office software files directly in Docs, Sheets and Slides – in other words, in your company’s primary ecosystem without having to navigate to alternative software.
This is great news for Google Workspace users as it gives another reason why they may no longer need to subscribe to two different licenses.
When opening protected files, Google now lets users enter the password and enter viewing or editing modes.
Google Workspace increases Microsoft Office interoperability
The move is part of a much larger trend we’ve observed in recent months and years, and it’s hugely beneficial for consumers and customers. With cross-platform stacks now the norm in a hybrid world of work, companies like Google and Microsoft have improved interoperability and compatibility to prevent vendor lock-in.
Google has already made similar moves across other areas of Workspace, such as interoperability between Google Meet and Microsoft Teams/Zoom.
Even better, this update is coming to all Google Workspace customers, not just paying businesses, so individuals will also be able to use Google (if that’s their preferred system) to access more Office documents.
“Prior to this, users had to download and rely on third-party applications to remove passwords or edit password-protected Microsoft files,” Google wrote in its update blog post.
The feature has already started rolling out, but some domains may not get it until the end of January 2026.
This isn’t the only feature Google has been working on to tackle vendor lock-in. Over the past year, the company has made it easier for companies to migrate their data from Dropbox and SharePoint.
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