Open Edit Remote Files Google Drive LibreOffice

Updated 7 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Yes, you can open and edit files stored in Google Drive directly in LibreOffice, and you can also save edited files back to Drive. The most reliable method is to use LibreOffice’s built-in support for WebDAV, which Google Drive exposes for third-party clients. This article explains the step-by-step process, the limitations you’ll encounter, and alternative approaches if WebDAV doesn’t work for you.

Background: Why It’s Not a One-Click Feature

LibreOffice does not have a dedicated “Google Drive” button like some office suites. Instead, it relies on a generic file-access protocol called WebDAV (Web Distributed Authoring and Versioning). WebDAV lets a desktop application treat a remote server as a network drive. Google Drive supports WebDAV, but only for certain account types and with some restrictions. For free personal Google accounts, the WebDAV endpoint is https://dav.google.com. Workspace (business/education) accounts may need to enable the feature from the admin console. Because the setup is not obvious, many users assume it’s impossible—but it works with a few configuration steps.

How to Set Up WebDAV in LibreOffice

The process is the same on Windows, macOS, and Linux. You’ll need your Google account email and an app password (not your regular password) if you have two-factor authentication enabled.

Open LibreOffice and go to Tools → Options (on macOS: LibreOffice → Preferences).
In the left panel, expand Internet and select WebDAV.
Click Add Service. In the dialog, give the service a name (e.g., “Google Drive”), enter the URL https://dav.google.com, and enter your Google email and password (or app password).
Click OK to save. The service now appears in the WebDAV list.
To open a file, go to File → Open Remote, select the service you just created, and browse the folders. You’ll see your Drive folders and files.
To save a file back, use File → Save Remote after editing, or simply choose “Save” if you opened a remote file—LibreOffice will write back to Drive.

If you don’t see the WebDAV option under Internet, your LibreOffice version may be older. Update to the latest stable release; WebDAV support has been present for many years, but the menu location has changed slightly.

Using App Passwords for Security

Google requires an app password if you have two-step verification enabled. Even if you don’t, using your normal password with a third-party client is risky. To create an app password:

Go to your Google Account → Security → 2-Step Verification → App passwords.
Select “Other” as the app, give it a name (e.g., “LibreOffice”), and click Generate.
Copy the 16-character password and paste it into LibreOffice’s WebDAV password field.

If you don’t have 2FA enabled, you can still use your regular password, but Google may block the sign-in attempt as suspicious. In that case, enable 2FA and generate an app password—it’s the recommended path.

What Works and What Doesn’t

WebDAV access to Google Drive is not a full sync client. You can open and save files, but you cannot see Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides files (the native Google formats). Those are stored as links, not as editable documents. You’ll only see files you’ve uploaded or created in an Office format (.odt, .docx, .xlsx, etc.). Also, file versioning is handled by Google Drive’s version history, but LibreOffice’s own versioning feature (File → Versions) may not work over WebDAV because it relies on local file metadata.

Large files can be slow to open because the entire file is downloaded to a temporary local copy. Editing is done locally, and when you save, the whole file is uploaded again. This is fine for documents up to a few dozen megabytes, but not ideal for large media files or complex spreadsheets with many images.

Common Problems and Fixes

“Service not found” or connection error: Check that you’re using https://dav.google.com exactly. Some older guides mention https://dav.googleusercontent.com, which is outdated. Also ensure your LibreOffice is up to date.

Authentication fails: If you have 2FA, you must use an app password. If you don’t, try enabling 2FA temporarily to generate one. Also, make sure you’re using your full email address (e.g., name@gmail.com), not a username.

Files don’t appear: Remember that Google Docs/Sheets/Slides files are not visible. Only files with a real file extension (like .odt, .docx, .pdf) are shown. You can convert a Google Doc to .docx by going to File → Download in the Google Docs interface, then upload that to Drive.

Save fails with a permission error: You may be trying to save to a folder where you only have view access. Make sure you have edit rights in Google Drive for that folder.

Slow performance: If the connection is slow, try disabling the “Use WebDAV” option for that service and re-enabling it. Also, close any other programs that might be using network bandwidth.

Alternatives to WebDAV

If WebDAV is too fiddly, there are other ways to edit Google Drive files with LibreOffice:

Google Drive desktop app: Install Google Drive for Desktop, which syncs a folder to your computer. You can then open files in that folder with LibreOffice, and changes are synced back to the cloud. This is the most seamless method for daily use.
Download and upload manually: Download a file from Drive, edit it in LibreOffice, then upload it back. This works for one-off edits but is tedious for regular work.
Use a local sync tool like rclone: rclone can mount Google Drive as a virtual filesystem on Linux, Windows, or macOS. This gives you a drive letter or mount point that LibreOffice can access. It’s more technical but offers more control.

Each method has trade-offs. WebDAV requires no extra software, but only works with Office-format files. Google Drive for Desktop is easier but uses more disk space and may not be available on all systems (it’s available for Windows and macOS, and there is a Linux version via a third-party client).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit Google Docs files (the native format) in LibreOffice?

No. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files are not stored as editable files on the WebDAV server. They are web-based documents. You must first convert them to an Office format (e.g., .docx, .xlsx) using Google’s “Download” option, then upload the converted file to Drive. After editing in LibreOffice, you can save it back as a new file, but it will not update the original Google Doc.

Does LibreOffice support Google Drive on mobile?

LibreOffice is primarily a desktop application. There is an Android version (LibreOffice Viewer) that can open files, but it does not have WebDAV support for Google Drive. On mobile, it’s easier to use the Google Docs app or a third-party office app that integrates with Drive.

Why do I get a “403 Forbidden” error?

This usually means your Google account doesn’t have WebDAV access enabled. For free accounts, WebDAV is generally available, but Workspace admins may disable it. Check with your administrator. Also, ensure you’re using an app password if 2FA is on—a regular password will often trigger a 403.

Can I use the same WebDAV setup for other cloud services?

Yes. LibreOffice’s WebDAV feature works with any WebDAV server, including Nextcloud, ownCloud, and some NAS devices. The setup is identical—just enter the server URL and credentials. For services that don’t support WebDAV (like Dropbox), you’d need to use a local sync folder.

Is it safe to store my Google password in LibreOffice?

LibreOffice stores WebDAV credentials in your user profile, which is usually protected by your operating system’s permissions. However, it’s safer to use an app password rather than your main Google password, because app passwords can be revoked individually. If you’re on a shared computer, consider not saving the password in LibreOffice and entering it each time.

Final Thoughts

Editing Google Drive files in LibreOffice is entirely possible via WebDAV, but it’s not a seamless experience for native Google formats. For most users, the easiest route is to install Google Drive for Desktop and let it sync a local folder. However, if you prefer not to install extra software or need a quick one-time edit, the WebDAV method works reliably once configured. Remember to use an app password for security and to keep your LibreOffice updated to avoid connection issues.

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