Using NetDocuments to Edit Word Files With Multiple People at the Same Time

Posted in NetDocuments in Office Online, NetDocuments Tips on February 5, 2023 by Craig Bayer

Working with multiple people on a Microsoft Word document offers many advantages. Everyone involved can work together and make important changes, edits and additions in almost real time. This means that documents get finished much more quickly, enabling groups to move forward on projects and discussions faster. Collaborating also allows team members to benefit from different skill sets while working in the same file, leading to higher quality results through collective expertise. In addition, sharing one document simplifies the document-revision process because only one document should remain at the end of all collaborations. With multiple people collaborating on one Microsoft Word document, users can create better content faster and improve communication among all team members.

If your documents are in NetDocuments, multiple people can work collaboratively on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents simultaneously. And while this exciting feature isn’t new – Google Documents have had it for years – you will need Office 365 to make it happen.

Part 1: Invite Someone to Collaborate

Step 1: In NetDocuments right click on a document –> Open In –> Microsoft Word Online

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Step 2: Click Share

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Step 3:  Send the email to your collaborator

Outlook web email

 

Part 2: The Collaborator

We are now on the other user’s computer.  They get the email you just sent.

Step 1: Open the Email

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Step 2: Click Open Online

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You are now both in the word documents together and can make changes and see them in real time.

 

About the Author

Craig Bayer is the founder and leader of Optiable, an award-winning document management (DMS) consulting firm dedicated to helping law firms seamlessly integrate NetDocuments. Specializing in firms with 10 to 150 users, he has successfully guided over 500 law firms across the United States and Canada through NetDocuments implementations since 2010.

With deep expertise in the legal industry, Craig has a proven track record of optimizing technology to meet the unique needs of law firms. His certifications include industry-leading tools such as Amicus Attorney, Centerbase, Clio, PCLaw, HotDocs, TimeMatters, Soluno, and Worldox, enabling him to deliver comprehensive solutions tailored to each client’s workflow and goals.

Craig Bayer