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Google Drive can preview every format in this guide—PDF, PSD, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, PPT, and PPTX—in a browser. Upload the file or open it from Drive, then double-click it. Keep in mind that Drive’s preview is scaled down and may look different from the complete file.
How to open a file in Google Drive
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Sign in to Google Drive. The documented viewing workflow uses a Google account.
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If the file is on your device, upload it to Drive. If it is already stored there, locate it in your Drive.
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One-click scans. No signup required.
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Double-click the file to open its preview.
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If you need an Office web editor rather than a preview, choose Drive’s Open with option when available. For business and enterprise accounts, an administrator must enable the Office for the web integration.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Epson Workforce ES-50 Compact & Lightweight Mobile Document Scanner- PORTABLE SCANNER FOR USE ON-THE-GO — The fastest and lightest mobile single-sheet-fed compact document scanner in its class¹
- QUICK DOCUMENT SCANNING ― This Epson ultra-fast scanner scans a single page as quickly as 5.5 seconds²; Windows and Mac compatible
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING ― Portable scanner scans documents up to 8.5 x 72 in; Also easily digitizes receipts and ID cards to make accounting, bookkeeping, and organizing simpler
- INTUITIVE, HIGH-SPEED SOFTWARE — Epson ScanSmart Software³ is a smart tool allowing you to easily scan, review, and save; Stay organized easily with the help of this Epson scanner
- EASY SETUP — USB-powered connect to your computer for quick and simple scanning; No batteries or external power supply required to operate portable document scanner; Standard Connectivity: USB 2.0
Drive can open PDFs in a new browser tab or in its own preview interface, depending on the available option. Google warns that suspicious files may trigger a warning; don’t open unexpected files from sources you don’t trust.
Which formats can you view?
| File type | Google Drive preview | Microsoft web-editor notes |
|---|---|---|
| Listed for preview | Not specified in the cited Microsoft format table | |
| PSD | Listed for preview | Not specified in the cited Microsoft format table |
| XLS | Listed for preview | Can be viewed on OneDrive, but not SharePoint |
| XLSX | Listed for preview | Excel for the web can view it |
| DOC | Listed for preview | Word for the web can view it; editing may convert it to DOCX |
| DOCX | Listed for preview | Word for the web can view it |
| PPT | Listed for preview | PowerPoint for the web can view it; editing converts it to PPTX |
| PPTX | Listed for preview | PowerPoint for the web can view it |
Google Drive’s published preview list includes all eight extensions above. Microsoft’s browser editors are an alternative for Office documents, but format support depends on the application and, for XLS, where the file is stored. Excel macros do not run in Excel for the web.
Rank #2
- FAST SPEEDS - Scans color and black and white documents a blazing speed up to 16ppm (1). Color scanning won’t slow you down as the color scan speed is the same as the black and white scan speed.
- ULTRA COMPACT – At less than 1 foot in length and only about 1. 5lbs in weight you can fit this device virtually anywhere (a bag, a purse, even a pocket).
- READY WHENEVER YOU ARE – The DS-640 mobile scanner is powered via an included micro USB 3. 0 cable allowing you to use it even where there is no outlet available. Plug it into you PC or laptop and you are ready to scan.
- WORKS YOUR WAY – Use the Brother free iPrint&Scan desktop app for scanning to multiple “Scan-to” destinations like PC, Network, cloud services, Email and OCR. (2) Supports Windows, Mac and Linux and TWAIN/WIA for PC/ICA for Mac/SANE drivers. (3)
- OPTIMIZE IMAGES AND TEXT – Automatic color detection/adjustment, image rotation (PC only), bleed through prevention/background removal, text enhancement, color drop to enhance scans. Software suite includes document management and OCR software. (4)
Previewing is not the same as editing
A Drive preview is a scaled-down version of the file, and Google says it may appear slightly different from the original. Use it to inspect contents, not to confirm exact page layout, formatting, or spreadsheet behavior. For editing, open the file in a compatible web editor if your account permits it; older DOC and PPT files may be converted when edited.
Do you need an account, and is it free?
Google’s documented Drive workflow involves signing in. The available service documentation does not establish a universal account-free route or guarantee that every viewing option is free in every region or account type. Managed business accounts may also have administrator-controlled settings, including whether Office for the web integration is enabled.
Rank #3
- STAY ORGANIZED – Easily convert your paper documents into digital formats like searchable PDF files, JPEGs, and more.Power Consumption : 2.5W or less (Energy Saving Mode: 0.7W). Suggested Daily Volume : 500 scans..Does it contain liquid: no
- CONVENIENT AND PORTABLE –lightweight and small in size, you can take the scanner anywhere from home offices, classrooms, remote offices, and anywhere in between
- HANDLES VARIOUS MEDIA TYPES – Digitize receipts, business cards, plastic or embossed cards, reports, legal documents, and more
- FAST AND EFFICIENT – No technical hurdles or complicated setups here; easily scan both sides of a document at the same time, in color or black-and-white, at up to 12 pages-per-minute, and with a 20 sheet automatic feeder
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY – Works with both Windows and Mac devices, be it laptop or computer
When you need a PDF copy instead
Adobe’s Google Drive integration can convert supported Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Photoshop files to PDF and supports online PDF preview. Conversion requires signing in to Adobe. It is an optional route when you need a PDF copy or Acrobat tools, not a prerequisite for previewing files in Drive.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Scanner type: Document
- Connectivity technology: USB
- With Auto Scan Mode, the scanner automatically detects what you're scanning
- Digitize documents and images
Rank #4
- IRIScan Express, portable scanner : scans color and black and white documents a blazing speed up to 8ppm simplex. Color scanning won’t slow you down as the color scan speed is the same as the black and white scan speed.
- IRIScan Express mobile scanner is powered via an included micro USB 2. 0 cable allowing you to use it even where there is no outlet available. Plug it into you PC or laptop and you are ready to scan. USB cable provided. AC Adapter not provided and not needed.
- IRIScan flatbed scanner uses a simplex scanning mode allows for quick and straightforward scanning of single-sided documents. IRIScan with its full portable features is the ideal document scanners for computers.
- IRIScan document scanner : Versatile scanning capabilities, including scanning to Word, PDF, and Excel formats with companion software provided Readiris OCR
- Receipt scanner and card scanner with Additional features include scanning business cards directly to Outlook, photo scanning, and receipt scanning for efficient document management
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