Google Drive can store almost any file type, but its ability to convert uploaded files into editable Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides depends on strict format and size boundaries. Understanding these limits prevents conversion errors, formatting loss, and import failures when moving local office workflows into Google Workspace.
Quick Answer
Google Drive natively converts standard Microsoft Office files (
.docx,.xlsx,.pptx), plain and rich text (.txt,.rtf,.html), OpenDocument formats (.odt,.ods,.odp), and PDFs (via OCR). Files must remain under specific caps: 50 MB for Google Docs, 10 million cells for Google Sheets, and 100 MB for Google Slides.
Conversion Compatibility Reference
The conversion engine handles three primary application tracks. Files matching the supported source formats can be opened directly or converted using File > Save as Google Docs/Sheets/Slides.
Native Document Conversion Pathways:
Source Formats (Word, RTF, TXT, ODT, PDF) ───► Google Docs (50 MB / 1.02M chars)
Source Formats (Excel, CSV, TSV, ODS) ───► Google Sheets (10M cells / 100 MB)
Source Formats (PowerPoint, ODP) ───► Google Slides (100 MB)
1. Documents (Converts to Google Docs)
Google Docs converts standard text and word-processing containers.
| Source Extension | Format Name | Conversion Notes & Limits |
|---|---|---|
.docx | Microsoft Word OpenXML | Full support; max 50 MB document size. |
.doc | Microsoft Word 97–2003 | Supported; complex macros and drawing shapes stripped. |
.docm | Word Macro-Enabled | Converts text/layout; VBA macros do not convert. |
.rtf | Rich Text Format | Supported; reliable format for fixing corrupted .docx files. |
.txt | Plain Text | Supported; UTF-8 encoding recommended. |
.html / .htm | Web Page Archive | Converts basic HTML/CSS; external scripts and styling stripped. |
.odt | OpenDocument Text | Supported (used by LibreOffice/OpenOffice). |
.pdf | Portable Document Format | Converts via OCR; first 10 pages parsed for text extraction. |
Limits: Converted text files cannot exceed 50 MB or 1.02 million characters regardless of page count. For troubleshooting files that surpass this limit, see Fix: “File too large to convert” (The 50MB Limit).
2. Spreadsheets (Converts to Google Sheets)
Google Sheets converts tabular and structured data sources.
| Source Extension | Format Name | Conversion Notes & Limits |
|---|---|---|
.xlsx | Microsoft Excel OpenXML | Full support; formulas translate to Sheets equivalents. |
.xls | Microsoft Excel 97–2003 | Supported; legacy BIFF formats may require modern re-saving. |
.xlsm | Excel Macro-Enabled | Converts data and formulas; VBA macros are ignored. |
.xlt / .xltx | Excel Template | Imports as a standard spreadsheet. |
.csv | Comma-Separated Values | Supported; respects standard delimiter detection. |
.tsv / .tab | Tab-Separated Values | Supported; clean conversion for database exports. |
.ods | OpenDocument Spreadsheet | Supported. |
Limits: Workbooks cannot exceed 10 million cells (or 18,278 columns). If a workbook contains too many cells across multiple tabs, it will fail to load; see Why Google Sheets says “Workbook too large to open”.
3. Presentations (Converts to Google Slides)
Google Slides converts slide decks, vector objects, and master layouts.
| Source Extension | Format Name | Conversion Notes & Limits |
|---|---|---|
.pptx | PowerPoint OpenXML | Full support; transitions map to Google Slides equivalents. |
.ppt | PowerPoint 97–2003 | Supported; legacy shapes may convert to flat raster images. |
.pptm | PowerPoint Macro-Enabled | Converts visual slides; VBA macros discarded. |
.pps / .ppsx | PowerPoint Slide Show | Opens as standard editable slide decks. |
.odp | OpenDocument Presentation | Supported. |
Limits: Presentation files converted to Google Slides cannot exceed 100 MB.
Unsupported Formats Requiring Manual Export
The following formats cannot be parsed directly by Google Drive’s conversion engine:
- Apple iWork Files (
.pages,.numbers,.key): These are macOS package directories rather than single files. You must export them as.docx,.xlsx, or.pptxfrom your Mac before uploading to Drive. - Legacy Pre-1997 Office Binaries: Files from Word 6.0/95 or Excel 5.0 will trigger version blocks. For remediation steps, see Troubleshooting “Unsupported File Version” (Legacy Office).
- Desktop Publishing and Vector Files: Formats like
.indd(InDesign),.pub(Microsoft Publisher),.ai(Illustrator), and.psd(Photoshop) can be stored in Drive, but cannot be converted to Google Docs. Attempting to force an open command will result in format mismatch errors; see Fix: “Incompatible file type” for Google Drive Preview.