Moving your student Google files to M365

• Microsoft Word uses a feature-rich ribbon interface with tabs such as Home, Insert, Layout, References, Review and View.
• This may feel different if you are used to Google Docs, where many tools are grouped into a simpler toolbar and menu structure.
• The core document editing tools are still available, but some features may be located in different places or have different names in Word.
• The ribbon in Word is also customisable to your needs.

• Google Apps Script does not run in Microsoft Word.
• If a Google Doc used Apps Script to automate tasks, that automation will not transfer as part of the file conversion. You may need to recreate the process using an appropriate Microsoft 365 tool, such as Power Automate, Word macros, VBA or an approved Office add-in.
• If the automation supports an important business process, test the converted document carefully before using it as the working version.

• Most basic formatting should carry across from Google Docs to Microsoft Word, including headings, paragraphs, lists, tables, images and page layout.
• However, some documents may need checking after conversion, especially if they include:
  • Complex tables
  • Custom fonts
  • Headers and footers
  • Footnotes or endnotes
  • Page breaks or section breaks
  • Columns
  • Text boxes
  • Drawings or diagrams
  • Large images
  • Unusual spacing or alignment
• After opening the document in Word, check the layout from top to bottom. Pay particular attention to page breaks, tables, images and headings.
• If the converted document does not look right, adjust the formatting in Word and save the Microsoft version as the new working copy.

• Google Docs and Microsoft Word handle styles and templates differently.
• After conversion, check that headings, normal text, captions and other styles are applied correctly. This is especially important if the document uses a table of contents, section headings or a formal University template.
• Where possible, use Word’s built-in styles rather than manually formatting each heading or paragraph. This helps keep the document consistent and improves accessibility and navigation.

• Word uses section breaks to manage different headers, footers, margins, page numbering and page orientation within the same document.
• After conversion, check page breaks, section breaks, margins, columns, page numbers, headers and footers. If the layout has changed, you may need to replace manual page breaks with the correct section breaks or reapply the page setup in Word.
• This is particularly important for reports, handbooks, forms and documents with mixed portrait and landscape pages.

• Word uses fields for automatic content such as tables of contents, page numbers, cross-references, dates and document properties.
• After conversion, check any automatic content in the document. You may need to update fields in Word so that page numbers, references and tables of contents display correctly.
• If cross-references or automatic lists no longer work as expected, recreate them using Word’s References tools.

• Equations and symbols may not always convert exactly as they appeared in Google Docs.
• Check any equations, mathematical notation, scientific symbols or specialist characters. If something does not display correctly, recreate it using Word’s Equation Editor or Symbol tools.
• For important documents, consider checking a PDF copy of the original Google Doc against the converted Word version.

• Embedded content may behave differently or stop working after conversion. 
• Charts, drawings, diagrams, smart chips and embedded links from Google Docs may not remain editable or connected in Word. Some items may convert as static images, while others may need to be recreated manually.
• If the document contains a chart or diagram that needs to stay editable, recreate it using the appropriate Microsoft tool, such as Excel charts, Word shapes or SmartArt.

• Some Google Docs features do not have a direct Microsoft Word equivalent.
• This can include smart chips, Google-specific @mentions, links to Google files, Google Workspace add-ons and Apps Script automation.
• Review these items after conversion. You may need to remove them, replace them with Microsoft 365 links, or recreate the process using Word, SharePoint, Teams, Power Automate or another approved Microsoft 365 tool.

• Links in a converted Word document may still point to the original Google location.
• Check hyperlinks, linked documents, linked charts, linked tables and references to other files. If the Microsoft version in OneDrive, SharePoint or Teams is now the correct version, update the link so it points to the Microsoft 365 location.
• This is especially important before sharing the document with colleagues who may not have access to the original Google file.

• Google Docs add-ons do not transfer into Microsoft Word.
• If the original document relied on a Google add-on, check whether Word already has a built-in feature that meets the same need. For example, Word includes tools for comments, reviewing, accessibility, translation, references and document formatting.
• If there is no direct replacement, you may need to adjust the workflow or use an approved Microsoft 365 alternative.

• Microsoft Excel uses a ribbon interface with tabs such as Home, Insert, Formulas, Data, Review and View.
• This may feel different if you are used to Google Sheets. Excel includes many advanced tools for formulas, data analysis, tables, charts, Power Query and PivotTables, but they may be located in different places.
• The main spreadsheet concepts are similar, but some features work differently and should be tested after conversion.

• Google Apps Script does not run in Microsoft Excel.
• If a Google Sheet used Apps Script to automate tasks, that automation will not transfer as part of the file conversion. You may need to recreate the process using an appropriate Microsoft 365 tool, such as Excel formulas, Power Query, Office Scripts in Excel, Power Automate, VBA or an approved Office add-in.
• If the spreadsheet supports an important business process, test the converted workbook carefully before using it as the working version.

• Some formulas may need checking after conversion because Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel do not support every function in the same way.
• Simple formulas are more likely to convert successfully, but complex formulas, Google-specific functions and formulas that pull data from other Google files may need manual adjustment.
• Check formula results carefully, especially in workbooks used for reporting, calculations, finance, planning or decision-making.

Google-specific functions

• Some Google Sheets functions do not have a direct Excel equivalent.
• Examples include GOOGLEFINANCE(), GOOGLETRANSLATE(), IMPORTDATA() and IMPORTRANGE(). If the original spreadsheet used these functions, the converted Excel workbook may need a different approach.
• Depending on the task, you may be able to use Excel functions, Power Query, stock data types, a connected data source, or another approved Microsoft 365 method.

Array formulas and dynamic ranges

• Google Sheets and Excel handle some array formulas and dynamic ranges differently.
• If the original spreadsheet used ARRAYFORMULA or formulas that automatically expand across multiple cells, check the converted workbook carefully. Excel supports dynamic array formulas, but the converted formula may not behave exactly the same.
• You may need to rebuild formulas using Excel functions such as FILTER, SORT, UNIQUE or SEQUENCE, or convert the data range into an Excel Table.

• Google Sheets files (.gsheet) are converted into Excel workbook files (.xlsx or .csv).
• Most standard spreadsheet content should convert, but formatting and structure may not always appear exactly the same. Check sheet names, cell formatting, merged cells, filters, tables, charts, hidden rows or columns, protected ranges and number formats.
• If the workbook is used by other people, test it before sharing the converted version more widely.

• Conditional formatting rules may need reviewing after conversion.
• Simple rules may convert successfully, but complex rules or rules based on Google-specific formulas may need to be recreated in Excel.
• Check that colours, icons, data bars and formula-based conditions still highlight the correct information.

• Links to other Google Sheets or Google Drive files may not work as expected after migration.
• Check any formulas, charts, references or links that pull information from another file. If the source file now has a Microsoft 365 version, update the reference so it points to the correct file in OneDrive, SharePoint or Teams.
• Where possible, consider whether the data should be consolidated into one workbook or managed through Power Query.

• In most cases, basic data validation lists will migrate from Google Sheets to Excel and still work. Simple dropdowns may survive, but anything dynamic or dependent are likely to need manual rework in Excel.  For example; 
• If the  dropdown in Google Sheets references a static list in the same sheet, Excel usually preserves it. 
• If the dropdown references a range on another sheet, Excel often converts it into a static list or breaks the reference entirely, because Excel’s data validation does not allow direct cross-sheet references in the same way Google Sheets does. 
• Dynamic dropdowns (where the list expands automatically) will not migrate as dynamic. Excel will treat them as fixed ranges unless you convert the source into an Excel Table and reapply validation. 
• Cascading dropdowns (where the second list depends on the first) will not work after migration. You’ll need to rebuild them using Excel’s INDIRECT function or VBA.

Pivot tables and charts should be reviewed after conversion.

They may convert successfully, but calculated fields, filters, data sources and formatting can behave differently in Excel. Refresh the data, check the totals and make sure the chart or PivotTable is still showing the correct information. It can often be quicker to just rebuild the table. 

For more advanced reporting, you may need to rebuild parts of the workbook using Excel PivotTables, PivotCharts, Tables, Power Query or Power Pivot.

• Comments and collaboration features work differently in Google Sheets and Excel.
• After conversion, review any important comments, notes or @mentions. Excel uses modern comments and notes, and these may not match the original Google Sheets commenting experience exactly.
• If comments contained important decisions or instructions, check they are still available and recreate them in Excel if needed.

• Google Sheets add-ons do not transfer into Microsoft Excel.
• If the original spreadsheet relied on a Google add-on, check whether Excel has a built-in feature or Microsoft 365 alternative. For example, Excel includes tools for formulas, charts, data validation, PivotTables, Power Query, comments and accessibility checking.
• If there is no direct replacement, you may need to adjust the workflow or use an approved Microsoft 365 tool.

• Microsoft PowerPoint uses a ribbon interface with tabs such as Home, Insert, Design, Transitions, Animations, Slide Show, Review and View.
• This may feel different if you are used to Google Slides. PowerPoint includes more advanced design, animation and presentation tools, but some features may be located in different places.
• Open the converted presentation in PowerPoint and check the full deck before presenting or sharing it.

• Most standard slide content should convert, but formatting may change.
• Check fonts, spacing, alignment, images, colours, shapes, tables, charts, slide size and speaker notes. Presentations that use custom fonts, complex layouts or detailed design elements are more likely to need adjustment.
• If the presentation will be reused, update the design properly in PowerPoint rather than manually fixing each slide where possible.

• Google Slides supports only basic transitions, so any advanced motion effects will not convert to PowerPoint
• Check all animated slides in PowerPoint, especially where objects appear in a specific order or where timing is important. Test the presentation in slideshow mode, not just in editing view.
• If needed, recreate animation using PowerPoint’s Animations pane or replace them with more advanced transitions.

• Some Google Slides features do not have a direct PowerPoint equivalent.
• This can include smart chips, Google-specific @mentions, links to Google files, Google Workspace add-ons and some embedded Google content.
• Review these items after conversion. You may need to remove them and rework them in PowerPoint to take advantage of its richer options.

• Links and interactive content should be checked after conversion, as they typically break.
• Hyperlinks may still point to the original Google location. If the Microsoft version in OneDrive, SharePoint or Teams is now the correct version, update the link so it points to the Microsoft 365 location. You can also embed the relevant file as an object if you need offline access.
• Interactive elements like Google Forms cannot be replicated natively in PowerPoint, so you’ll need to link to Microsoft Forms or redesign the interaction.

• Videos, charts, drawings and other embedded content may not transfer exactly into PowerPoint.
• Google Drawings or embedded diagrams often flatten into static images, some may need to be reinserted, and some may no longer be linked to the original source.
• Check videos and audio in slideshow mode. If a chart or diagram needs to remain editable, recreate it using Excel charts, PowerPoint shapes or SmartArt.

• Google Slides and PowerPoint use different commenting systems.
• After conversion, review any comments or feedback threads that were part of the original presentation. PowerPoint supports modern comments, but the converted version may not match the original Google Slides commenting experience exactly.
• If comments contained important decisions or instructions, check they are still available and recreate them in PowerPoint if needed.

Converted presentations should be reviewed before they are presented or shared.

Check for broken links, missing media, changed formatting, altered slide layouts, missing speaker notes, incorrect animation order and any interactive elements that no longer work as expected.

For important presentations, compare the converted PowerPoint file with the original Google Slides version before using it.

• Google Slides add-ons do not transfer into Microsoft PowerPoint.
• If the original presentation relied on a Google add-on, check whether PowerPoint has a built-in feature or Microsoft 365 alternative. For example, PowerPoint includes tools for slide design, comments, accessibility checking, recording, live presentation features and Microsoft Forms integration.
• If there is no direct replacement, you may need to adjust the workflow or use an approved Microsoft 365 tool.

PowerPoint includes advanced features that may help improve a migrated presentation.

For example, you can use Slide Master to manage consistent design across the deck, Morph transition to create smooth movement between slides, and Speaker Coach to practise delivery.

These features will not automatically replace Google Slides features during conversion, but they can be useful when reviewing or improving the PowerPoint version.