Offline editing

Offline editing means the app keeps a copy of your documents on your device, so you can read and change them on a plane, in a basement or on a weak connection. When the device reconnects, your edits are uploaded and merged with changes others made in the meantime. Google Docs and Notion both offer a form of it.

People do not always have a stable connection, and a document that will not open before a client meeting is a real problem. Offline mode also protects against short outages. It matters most for staff who travel, work on site or in places with poor coverage.

Check the limits. Offline support often has to be switched on in advance, may cover only recently used or chosen files, and may not include every feature. If everyone works at a desk with reliable internet, it is a minor point.

• Do you have to mark documents for offline use in advance, or is it automatic?
• Which devices and browsers are supported, including phones?
• What happens if two people edit the same document offline?
• Can you test it during a trial by switching off your connection and editing a file?