Convert non-native documents into
Google native documents
What are non-native documents and Google native documents?
Google native documents are files created within Google Workspace applications, such as Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Sheets.
Non-native documents, on the other hand, come from platforms outside Google, like Microsoft, Zoho, or OpenOffice. These include file types such as .doc, .docx, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .xls, .xlsx, and .odt.
What is the issue with non-native documents?
When using Form Builder or its variants, non-native files such as PDF, DOCX, ODT, PPT, and PPTX cannot be processed directly, resulting in an error notification: "Form Builder Plus could not process your request due to an error in accessing the document."
Solution: To resolve this issue, users need to convert these non-native documents into Google native formats (e.g., Google Docs, Google Sheets) to access and utilize their data within Form Builder and its variants.
Update: Form Builder Plus for Google Drive now supports non-native files from Google Drive add-on.
How to convert non-native files DOCX, PDF, PPT, PPTX to google native files?
Step 1: Upload the File to Google Drive
Access Google Drive: Open your browser and go to Google Drive by typing the URL into the address bar.
Upload Your File: In Google Drive, click on the "New" button located at the top left of the screen. From the drop-down menu, select "File upload."
Choose the File: Select the file you want to upload from your computer and click "Open." The file will be uploaded to your Google Drive.
If your file is already in Google Drive, you can skip the upload step and proceed with the conversion process.
Step 2: Open the File with the Appropriate Google App
Locate the File: Find the uploaded file in Google Drive.
Open with Google App: Right-click on the file and choose "Open with" from the context menu. Select the appropriate Google app:
For a . DOCX file, choose Google Docs.
For an. XLS file, choose Google Sheets.
For a . PPTX file, choose Google Slides.
The file will open in the selected Google application, where you can then make any necessary edits or conversions.
Step 3: Convert the File to Google Native Format
Open the File: With the file open in the respective Google app (e.g., Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides).
Convert to Google Format: Click on the "File" menu at the top left corner.
Save as Google File: Select "Save as Google Docs", "Save as Google Sheets", or "Save as Google Slides" from the dropdown menu. This option will convert the file into the native Google format.
Once converted, you can access and utilize the document’s data in Form Builder and its variants.
Step 4: Open the Newly Generated Google Files
Locate the Converted File: In Google Drive, find the newly converted file in its respective Google format (e.g., Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides).
Open the File: Double-click on the file to open it.
With the file now in a Google-native format, you can access and use it with Form Builder Plus.
Similar steps can be applied to any non-native files to convert those into Google native files. Once the file is in Google native format, Form Builder Plus works just fine.