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How to Effectively Convert Excel to Google Sheets

Posted on March 19, 2021 | by Offdrive

Are you thinking of using your Excel files online?

If so, Google Sheets is the best way to go. Google provides some of the most powerful selection of productivity tools. With a Google account, you can use Docs, Sheets, and more!

Is it your first time using Google Sheets? Planning to transfer all your files to your online account?

If, so read the rest of our article to learn how to convert Excel to Google Sheets. That way, you can transfer your spreadsheets online and work anywhere.

1. Simple Copy-Paste Conversion

In most cases, you need only convert Excel’s data to Google Sheets. If you have no complex functions or scripts underneath, a simple copy-paste will do. Highlight all the cells you intend to copy in Excel.

Right-click anywhere within your chosen range. Select Copy from the menu that pops up. If you’re more comfortable with keyboard shortcuts, use CTRL + C.

Go to your Google Sheets spreadsheet. Right-click in the uppermost left cell to open a menu. Select Paste to put the data or press CTRL + V.

Doing this fills the online sheets with all data copied from your Excel spreadsheet file. It’s simple, and it won’t take over a minute.

2. Open the Excel File In Google Sheets

You can use Google Sheets to open your Excel file. However, you must upload your file first. Open your Google Sheets and select Open or Import from the File menu.

Go to the Upload tab in the succeeding window. Press the blue button that says, “Select a file from your device.” Look for the Excel file within your computer, pick it, and press the Open button.

Doing this uploads your Excel file to your Google Drive. Once done, open it using Google Sheets. The web app converts your Excel file to the Google Sheets format.

It will open in a new spreadsheet file in your account. The application will match your original Excel file the best it can. Regardless, you might see some slight changes that might not matter a lot.

3. Import From a CSV File

If your Excel file uses a CSV format, this is the only method you can use. When doing this, you must know the file’s delimitation. It matters not whether it’s a tab, comma, or another character.

You can do this using two methods: the import feature or the IMPORTDATA function. Read on to learn the steps for both techniques. If you want to enhance your MS Word knowledge, learn the basics here.

Import Feature

Follow the same procedure when uploading the Excel file (.xls). However, when you pick the CSV file, a window will appear.

It lets you select the file formatting. You may choose which method to use when converting the spreadsheet data into a Google Sheet file.

It also has other configurations like opening the data using a new spreadsheet. You may also use this to replace the current one or append them. It also asks whether you want to convert the text from the CSV file into the right data type like numbers, dates, and formulas.

After configuring the conversion options, press the green “Import data” button. It brings the CSV file data into your online spreadsheet.

IMPORTDATA Function

An alternative to bringing data from a CSV format Excel file is to use the IMPORTDATA function. The caveat is that the file’s storage must be on a web server. It also applies when you can access it using a direct link.

For example, the American Census Bureau gives lots of data files in the CSV format. Some of these include the population totals per state. Regardless, you can import these files using this Google Sheets function.

Open a new spreadsheet on Google Sheets. Click the cell where the imported data will go. After that, type the following function:

=IMPORTDATA(“your link goes here”)

After pressing Enter, wait for a few seconds while the data loads. The data will appear in the spreadsheet, allowing you to save it. The data stored using this function will update whenever the link receives an update.

If you want to disable this, highlight all the original sheet’s cells. Copy them and open a new sheet. Right-click in your desired cell and pick Paste Special. Select Paste values only to copy all data without the formulas lying underneath.

4. Open the File After Upload

Whether your file is CSV or XLSX, this method converts them using Google Sheets. To do this, upload your file to your Google Drive account. The folder won’t matter.

After that, right-click the file and pick the Open with option. Choose Google Sheets among the options that pop up. It’s easier with CSV files since it opens in the Google Sheets format automatically.

Excel files will remain in the XLSX format when opened on this platform. You’ll see the format displayed at the top beside the name. Click the File menu and select Save as Google Sheets to convert it to the format.

Why Use Google Sheets Instead of Excel?

Now know what Google Sheets is and how to convert Excel files, use them whenever possible. If you want more reasons to use this web-based spreadsheet application, here are some:

Free to Use

Microsoft Excel costs almost a hundred dollars to use. On the other hand, Google Sheets are free. All you need is a stable internet connection and a free Google account.

Collaboration

Google Sheets allow other people to work on the same sheet. It means you can work with teammates in real-time. The changes are instant, making it more efficient.

Automatic Backups

As you work on your Google Sheets, your files get automatic backups. You can access these in your Google Drive account. It ensures you won’t lose data no matter what.

Convert Excel to Google Sheets Today

You have lots of methods if you want to convert Excel to Google Sheets. If you want to switch to Google Sheets, convert Excel files and transfer them to online storage.

Need help converting your other files for school or work? Check out our guide on converting PDF to EPS.

Back That Thing up: The Best Ways to Back up Files Online

Posted on March 18, 2021 | by Offdrive

Did you know that 67% of data loss is due to hard disk drive (HDD) crashes?

Even if you have the best computer possible, there’s always the slight chance that one day, its hard drive will randomly crash. And when that happens, you just might lose everything you have on there.

Yes, taking good care of your computer can help prevent data loss. But that isn’t foolproof.

Instead, you should be proactive and back up files online. That way, if your device crashes, all you have to do is go online and pull your files. No harm, no foul.

But how do you even back up files on the internet? We’ll show you how in this article.

Transfer Files to an External Hard Drive

We know this article is on backing files up online, but this is also important. The best plan to have is to have multiple backups in different media. So one of these should be an external hard drive.

There are many affordable external hard drives on the market, so it shouldn’t cost you much to get one. You can even use a USB drive if you’re on a tight budget.

In any case, you’ll want to regularly back up your files by transferring copies onto your external hard drive or USB stick. An external hard drive can still fail, just like your computer’s can, but at least you have 2 (or more) copies of your data to rely on.

Back up on the Cloud

The cloud sounds like some kind of futuristic device, but it’s actually been around since the 1960s. However, it’s only fairly recently that cloud services have become more accessible and affordable for the regular consumer.

Basically, you sign up for a cloud storage service to gain access to the cloud. You can then upload pretty much anything you want and they’ll store it for you.

What’s great about the cloud is that you can transfer things onto the cloud whenever you want, as well as put them back on your original device or transfer them to another one.

However, there are some drawbacks to cloud storage.

For one, they can be hacked. So you want to be mindful of what you put on the cloud. If hackers are successful, they can potentially gain access to things like explicit photos or trade secrets.

Also, if the company goes out of business, you’ll lose access to all your files.

As you can see, backup options all have their pros and cons, which is why it’s so important to use multiple data backups.

Cloud Services Available

When it comes to how to back up files online, you need to choose reliable and trusthworthy service providers. Here are some to consider.

Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft is one of the most well-known names in the world, so it makes sense that you can trust them with your data. If you’re already using a PC, as well as Outlook.com, then OneDrive can be a fantastic solution.

Their free service offers 5 GB, but that can be hugely expanded if you pay. You can get up to 6 TB of storage space spread across 30 devices.

Not only that, but by buying OneDrive storage, you can also get Microsoft 365 if you don’t already have it. If you do, then each user gets an additional 1 TB of space.

Naturally, this integrates with pretty much all Microsoft and PC programs. However, it’s also integrated with some non-Microsoft things, such as AutoCAD.

Google Drive

Google is also another trusted name in the industry, so this is definitely a serious contender.

Free accounts get 15 GB of storage space, while paid users can get up to 2 TB across an unlimited number of devices.

Android users benefit most from Google Drive because it’s already integrated into their devices. However, Apple and other OS users can certainly still benefit from this cloud storage provider.

IDrive

You may not have heard of them, but they’re actually a pretty well-established name when it comes to cloud storage.

The free tier gives you 5 GB while paid accounts get up to 5 TB across an unlimited number of devices.

You can get up to 30 older versions of files saved on your account. In addition, if you accidentally delete a file, you can recover it from the cloud.

If you’re backing up photos, then IDrive definitely wins out. This is because they have a facial recognition feature, which means it can automatically reorganize your images and sync them in an order that makes sense.

The best part of IDrive is their IDrive Express service. If you experience data loss, then they’ll actually mail you a hard drive with your backed up files on it. As a result, you’ll be able to promptly recover the files you lost.

For business owners, you should also know that they offer IDrive Business. This gives you priority support and unlimited users, as well as up to 12.5 TB of storage space.

Know How to Back up Files Online

Your computer or laptop will inevitably break down one day, which you can remedy by buying a new device. However, if the crash is bad enough, you’ll lose everything on it and won’t be able to recover data from your hard drive.

To mitigate your losses, you should always back up files online. By doing so, you can recover quickly not only from HDD crashes, but also from loss or theft of your device, as well as cyberattacks.

Backing up your files is vital for anyone, regardless of if the files are company secrets or treasured family photos. So make sure you put the information in this article to good use and keep your data safe!

Need to convert your files to back them up? Then start converting your images to PDF now.

What are Phishing Attacks and How to Prevent Them?

Posted on March 17, 2021 | by Offdrive

Cybercrime is advancing at a faster rate than ever before. In fact, it’s estimated that the industry will be worth over $10 trillion by the year 2025.

Phishing attacks are some of the most common types, and not everybody knows how to recognize one. We’ve put together a guide with all the info that you need to know.

So, What Exactly Is a Phishing Attack?

For those unaware, this type of crime involves fraudulently acquiring sensitive personal information. For example, a hacker might use a spoofed email address to contact someone about their bank account.

The victim will see that the email comes from their financial institution, so they will follow the instructions that it provides. Unfortunately, this almost always results in the hacker getting the data that they want.

This is typically achieved by redirecting victims to a fake website interface that asks them to input login information. Although hackers often use email as their preferred medium, phishing attacks can also occur through SMS texts or messages on social media.

How Can I Recognize One?

Since so many people fall victim to phishing attacks each year, you might assume that they are difficult (or even impossible) to recognize. The truth is, though, that they are fairly easy to prevent.

Let’s explore a few key ways you can recognize a phishing attack.

Never Login Through Email

One of the most common ways that people fall for this type of attack is by logging into a platform via email. To elaborate, let’s assume that you get an email from your bank that claims fraudulent activity has taken place in your account.

The message then provides a link to log into your account and encourages you to do so in order to learn more information. What’s really happening at this point is the hacker is sending you to a falsified web form.

Although the URL may display correctly and the form may look legitimate, they are logging all of the information you type. This means you’re directly providing them with your login credentials, which they can then use.

Due to how effective they are, email scams are one of the most common tactics that criminals use.

Don’t Click Unsolicited Links

Although many people click an embedded link in phishing messages in order to visit a platform, these links won’t always prompt you to do so.

You might receive a message that asks you to confirm changes that were recently made to your account. This message might have an attachment that claims to be ‘evidence’ of the aforementioned activity.

As you might expect, clicking this link could easily lead to a large number of consequences.

Unless you’re absolutely sure that you trust the source, it’s recommended to never click links that you receive through email, text, or social media messages. Instead, you should always type the website URL yourself.

Additionally, never use an unsolicited email download link (especially if they are in the form of compressed files when they shouldn’t be).

Keep Your Browsing Software Updated

You can accomplish a lot by simply updating your browser software. As time goes on, hackers are getting more and more efficient at taking advantage of security flaws.

Even a web browser that is slightly outdated could leave you vulnerable to cybercrime. Fortunately, it’s notably easy to achieve this.

Web browser developers are constantly pushing out new updates, and many of them will automatically install. This comes with the benefit of outright preventing common phishing methods that hackers use.

Although this step is simple, it can take you a long way toward keeping yourself secure.

For added security, you should work offline whenever possible. For example, you could write in a word processor as opposed to using an online web form.

Look for Grammar Errors

Just because a message appears to be from a legitimate source doesn’t mean that it will always sound legitimate. More often than not, a phishing message will be rife with grammatical errors, improper formatting, etc.

This will allow you to immediately tell whether or not the message you received is authentic. Keep in mind, though, that it’s not impossible for a legitimate source to include grammatical errors in the messages.

But, these are few and far between and will most likely be something minor, such as a missing apostrophe. More serious errors (such as misspelling your name) are something to keep an eye out for. The same can be said about the use of incorrect symbols.

Be Wary of Pop-UPS

It should come as no surprise that nobody in this world likes pop-ups. But, these are more than simple annoyances in some cases.

Pop-ups are also notorious for serving as falsified forms that users input information into. For example, let’s assume that you click a button to log into a particular website.

Normally, this would reload the page and bring you to a different form. In this case, though, a pop-up appears that asks for the same login information.

Unless you are vigilantly looking for this type of occurrence, you might not think twice before inputting your info.

It’s also important to note that false forms will never actually log you into the platform that you’re on. Instead, they will continuously declare that you did not input the correct login information.

This can be particularly beneficial for the hacker, as it allows them to log credentials multiple times to ensure that the user typed them correctly.

Recognizing Phishing Attacks Might Seem Complicated

However, the above information will ensure that you’re quickly able to tell the signs. From here, you’ll be able to fully protect yourself against phishing attacks and keep your personal information safe as possible.

Want to learn more about what we have to offer? Feel free to check out our blog for more useful information.

The Complete List of Image File Formats

Posted on March 16, 2021 | by Offdrive

It’s incredible to imagine in a world like ours, but 7% of websites use no images at all.

What is the undisputed king of image file format on the web today? By almost 5.5% the winner is PNG. PNG, JPEG, GIF — what are these odd acronyms all about?

There is a dizzying array of acronyms to remember for the common image file formats. Don’t worry though, we’re going to help you keep straight with a guide to common image file formats. You’ll be an expert on the types of image files, including PNG, in no time.

Keep reading to find out!

Types of Image Files: Vector or Raster?

There are two types of image file categories to cover before we talk image file formats. Those two categories are:

Raster
Vector

Raster image types generally map pixels individually by coordinate and color. If you have an 800 pixel by 600 pixel image and make it “full HD” at 1920×1080 pixels you’ve increased the size of the image by 432%.

That increase in size means that it’s also 4 times lower in resolution. So low that text is probably not readable at all. Blurry objects in an image will become indistinct in most cases.

There are some exceptions we’ll get to sometime later, though.

Vector image types work on math, rather than pixels. Vector information is stored as curves and lines with stroke or fill colors assigned to them. If you were to look at the raw data, it would just be computer code.

The text you type in a text box or word processor is actually displayed as a series of vector images. Vector images are good for complex shapes displayed at any size, such as a logo. Because they are resized without any loss of information, it’s a “lossless” file type.

Now that you have that information under your belt, we’ll give you some examples. As well, you’ll learn when, why, and how they’re used.

Common Image File Format Types

Mentioning “common” image file formats can be tricky, because some people will see some much more often than others. Some you might never see, unless you’re in a certain field.

Regardless, a list of the most common image file formats could go something like this:

Portable Network Graphics (PNG)
Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG or JPG)
High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF)
Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)
Animated Portable Network Graphics (APNG)
WebP (WebP)
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG)
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)

You can see some familiar favorites in the list, such as GIF, JPEG, and PNG, but let’s try to make some sense of this.

PNG and APNG

PNG and APNG are essentially the same things, except that the former PNG file format is being extended to add animations. PNG files, or “ping” files, are widely used across the internet because they also allow for transparency.

This allows people to use a logo in a setting that doesn’t have a white box around it, like in the early days of the internet. APNG files are a growing reply to GIF files being big, difficult to make, and sucking up a lot of memory real-estate. PNG files are also high resolution and can be lossy or lossless in their storage capabilities.

As you can see, they’re very versatile.

GIF and the History of the Internet

Pronounced “Giff” or “Jiff”, GIF files are limited to only 256 colors but allow for transparency and animation. It’s little wonder why, then, even with a big data footprint, GIFs have been used since June 15, 1987 — more than 30 years!

In that time, there’s been a love-hate relationship with GIFs, including their pronunciation.

The GIF has enabled a meme-laden culture since the mid-2000s and into the 2020s. GIFs have notoriously bad resolution and long load times because its data-heavy nature.

Two technologies are here to eventually replace it, APNG and WebP.

WebP — Google’s Gift to Servers and Page Load Speed

Google started developing WebP because of a convergence of several image file problems. Google’s philosophy is to replace all major image technologies with a single file type that does everything better. They want better fidelity, animations, and quicker load times.

Conversion from PNG to WebP, on the other hand, results in about a 45% reduction in file size without losing sharpness and visibility in the image. There are even size savings as compared to JPEG, but with better visibility.

WebP was announced in 2010, but it took 10 years for the file format to start making waves. It’s now supported by all major and most minor browsers. It might be worthwhile to consider converting to WebP soon if you aren’t already.

JPEG Compresses the Internet

In 1972 a brilliant young electrical engineer and computer scientist named Nasir Ahmed proposed discrete cosine transformation, or DCT, for image compression.

JPEG was a wonderful piece of computer science — in 1992. Now, with high-res screens and 4k image spaces, it’s inefficient and can add to server and website bloat. If a JPEG is recompressed at a higher quality level than it originally was compressed it can have degraded quality but a higher file size.

Despite more than 90% of websites using JPEG it’s losing ground to newer technologies.

Apple and HEIF — A Match Made in Rivalry

HEIF has been around for a little while but never had much support. HEIF is competing with PNG, JPEG, and now WebP for a lossy or lossless compression standard that retains high quality at high compression.

Apple has jumped on the bandwagon, unwilling to use WebP until recently adding support in Safari. The MPEG organization developed the HEIF standard.

SVG and EPS

SVG and EPS are two vector-based file formats used for different purposes. Browsers use SVG for images, objects, and animations on websites, apps, and consumer use. SVGs have infinite scalability.

EPSs are generally raw files for professionals and don’t have browser or consumer-level app support. Many logos are exported as SVG for infinite sizing. Commonly, professionals use EPSs because they record layer information while SVGs do not.

Which Image File Format Works for You?

Offdrive is simply the best image conversion website around. We know that you have different needs for every image file format you use.

If you have a question about specific file types, keep reading our blog for the latest info and news on file conversion.

Don’t forget to also check out our spreadsheet, archive, and document conversion tools, too! We even have PDF to EPUB!

This Is How to Convert PowerPoint to JPG

Posted on March 15, 2021 | by Offdrive

Does your work involve making presentations? Learning how to use PowerPoint is non-negotiable for most businesses. With the many benefits a PowerPoint presentation offers, it is a must for business owners and their staff to learn its basics.

However, being skillful in making PowerPoint (PPT) slides is not enough. There will be times when you may need to convert PowerPoint to JPEG (JPG). This usually happens when there is a need to compress the images in your PPT presentation to smaller sizes.

Incidentally, JPG uses smaller files size compare to other formats. It is also one of the favorite options for businesses that wish to optimize their images. Hence, the question: do you know how to convert PowerPoint slides to JPG?

Continue reading below for a guide on how to convert your PPT to JPG files.

Converting PowerPoint the Basic Way

There are different ways to convert PowerPoint to JPG. For starters, let us begin with the quickest way of doing things. First, you need to save your PowerPoint slides in JPEG format.

To do this, hit the “File” tab and select “Export.” Click on “Change File Type” then hit “Save As.”

The next step involves compressing the image into a smaller file size. You need to do this before choosing a destination where you want to save the image. To compress, go to “Tools” and hit “Compress Pictures.”

After compressing, make sure to tick the “Delete cropped areas of pictures.” Complete the process by selecting “Web Resolution.” This will allow you to decrease the size of the image.

The final step is to save the converted file. To do this, hit “Save” and head on to the folder you chose to save the file. From there, you will see the image already in JPEG form.

Also, you can start sharing the presentation across all devices that have JPEG support.

Convert PowerPoint to High-Quality JPEG

Sometimes, you want to compress the file size of your PPT images without compromising much of the image quality. Thankfully, there is a way to convert PowerPoint to JPG in a high-quality fashion.

The process is quite intricate, as it several steps to complete. Before we discuss the steps, it is important to note that high-quality images in the professional printing industry should have at least 300 dpi resolution. Hence, this is what you want your JPEG images to have after conversion from PPT.

To change the image resolution, you need to access the registry director by hitting the Windows button and the “R” key on your keyboard. A small window will then appear. Go to the Open option then type “Regedit” then hit “OK.”

Once the Windows Registry Editor opens, go to the left-hand portion of the window and use the tree view. From there, you want to open the following folders: HKEY_CURRENT_USER, Software, Microsoft, Office.

Thereafter, look for the “PowerPoint” option below then hit “Options.” Go to the pane at the right then right-click and select “New, DWORD (32-bit) Value”. You will find this from the pop-up menu.

From there, rename this new entry “ExportBitmapResolution” before hitting ENTER. Next, double-click this new entry. Change the “Base” to “Decimal” then set “Value data” to 300.

Hit “OK” to confirm then restart your PowerPoint. Open the presentation then hit “File” then “Save As.” Select the image you wish to export to JPEG to complete the process.

Convert Online for Free

Another important thing you should learn is converting PPT to JPG online, for free. First, upload your PowerPoint using the drag-and-drop. Thereafter, save it first as a PDF.

Next, hit “Continue to JPG” and select “extract individual images to JPG.” Another option is to select “convert each slide to JPG.” This will prompt the conversion of the images.

After the process, you can now download the images in JPG form. If you feel that this is too tedious or if you’re racing against time, you can instead save your PPT slide shows to PDF. A PDF file is still smaller compared to a PPT.

However, it doesn’t offer the same level of portability and versatility as a JPG would.

Convert JPG to PPT

Another thing you need to learn is converting your JPG images to PPT. The first step is to upload your JPG image into the toolbox. From there, download the converted file.

This file should be in PDF form. Hit “Start Over” then upload the file in the toolbox anew. This will prompt the file’s conversion to PPT.

When to Use a Specific File Format

Last but not least, you need to know when to use a particular file format for your images. Image file formats come in two forms: raster images and vector images.

Raster images feature pixel-based graphics. Their resolution is also dependent and the images are excellent for photos and web graphics.

Since raster images are resolution-dependent, they only exist at one size. This means transforming them will stretch the pixels of the images. In turn, you get a blurred or pixelated result.

If you plan to use images using raster file formats, only do so for projects that involve web graphics, photographs, and digital artwork.

Meanwhile, vector images feature curve-based graphics. The resolution is independent and the images work best for icons and logos.

Thus, only use a JPEG image you’re working on online artworks and photos. The same thing goes if you wish to print the photos. If you want something editable and layered, JPEG is not the way to go.

The JPEG, together with GIF, PNG, RAW, PSD, and TIFF all belong to the raster category. On the flip side, PDF, SVG, AI, and EPS fall under the vector file umbrella.

Let’s Make Your File Conversions a Breeze

Learning how to convert PowerPoint to JPEG is a skill that goes a long way. It can help you save more space and give you more flexibility when working on images and presentations. If mastering the steps is a challenge, we have the solution for you.

Visit our page and gain access to various online file conversions for free. From there, you can convert PowerPoint files to JPG files without any complications. We also offer other user-friendly tools that will convert your files in a few clicks.

Illuminating Instagram Images: How to Format Your Photos for Instagram

Posted on March 14, 2021 | by Offdrive

Do you have an Instagram feed for your business? Do you want to make sure your pictures fit your feed and capture the attention of your audience?

Because Instagram is a photo-focused social media website, you need to make sure your photographs look as good as they possibly can if you hope to keep your clients engaged. But with a ton of filters and amateur influencers with professional-level editing skills, how do you keep up?

Instagram images often require their own formatting. How do you do this? Below, we’ll go into everything you need to know.

Keep reading to learn more!

Keep Pixels in Mind

When you go through the process of posting Instagram images, you should first keep your pixels in mind.

What are pixels? Put simply, a pixel is the smallest unit in a photograph. The more pixels a photograph has, the larger it is and the clearer it will be.

The ideal size of an Instagram image is 1080 pixels wide. At a minimum, your photo should be 150 x 150 pixels, although 1080 pixels is more ideal.

This may negatively impact your client’s perception of your company. People expect companies to use nice-looking pictures, and they might associate unprofessional-appearing photos with an unprofessional business. As such, you should do your best to post images with many pixels.

Use a Portrait Photo as Opposed to Landscape Images

Do you want to capture your audience’s attention? Use vertical pictures (also known as portrait photos)!

While Instagram gives you the option to post horizontal photos (also known as landscape pictures), they don’t take up as much space on screens, especially phone screens. This might reduce the number of people who take notice of the picture if they happen to scroll quickly.

If you must use a landscape photo, we recommend making it as eye-catching as possible by using artist pops of color. Consider hiring a graphic designer to help you design engaging photos that complement your brand well.

Choosing Your File Format

Do you know the difference between JPEG and JPG when it comes to using Instagram?

As it turns out, while many file types work well for Instagram photos, not all are created equally. JPGs are the best choice since they allow you to use a high-quality picture without taking up much storage space. JPEGs should be your second choice, as they have slightly larger files but still give you high-quality pictures.

Instagram supports other image formats, such as non-animated GIFs, PNGs, and BMPs. Yet, you should try to use JPGs and JPEGs as often as possible.

Instagram does not allow users to post animated GIF files, however.

What is the difference between animated and non-animated GIFs? Think of an animated GIF as a quick, moving image file. It contains multiple frames that the image then flips between once it is posted. A non-animated GIF does not move.

Click here to convert files to the proper Instagram image format!

Pay Attention to Aspect Ratios

When it comes to posting photos, it helps to know Instagram’s ideal aspect ratio proportions. For square Instagram photos, the aspect ratio is 1:1, while portraits should be 4:5 through 1.9:1.

Do you want to feature some Instagram stories? If so, make sure they are 16:9.

In aspect ratios, the first number indicates the width of the image, while the second demonstrates the height. So, if you’re in portrait mode, your height will be greater than your width. In landscapes, the width is greater than the height. For squares, the ratio is simply 1 to 1, as both sides are the same size.

What If You Have Photos That Aren’t the Right Size or Ratio

Do you already have photos that you want to post, even if they feature different aspect ratios or sizes?

Instagram still allows you to post these photos, but the system automatically alters your photo to fit within its sizes and ratios. It does its best to keep the quality of the images intact, but since the transformation occurs automatically, it may not turn out perfectly.

As a result, you should assign one of your employees to oversee your Instagram account and the photos uploaded to it. They can ensure the photos retain the correct quality and ratio and make edits to them if they do not.

Use the Grid to Your Advantage

Want to know another secret to formatting your photos even after you post them?

When you post on Instagram, all of your followers will see your photos in full on their feed. Yet, you also want to make certain your profile grid looks incredible as well.

How do you find your profile grid? Go onto instagram.com, log into your account, and then click on the circle in the upper-righthand corner with your company’s logo on it. This should take you to your main profile page. Your grid will be displayed under your basic information and include all of the posts you have made.

This information has already become public, and anyone who visits your page will see these photos. As such, you should do your best to make sure they are displayed well and that no image looks bad once it has been resized into the grid’s squares.

You should also consider using the grid to create a jaw-dropping visual effect. Most Instagram influencers and companies select a color palette or theme for their grid. So, when you take pictures for your Instagram, make sure they are all edited to fit within the theme of your grid.

Ready to Start Using Instagram Images?

If you have an account, you’re likely eager to start posting Instagram images and furthering your brand on this social media platform.

When you pursue the use of the best image format Instagram accepts, you should take into consideration several different factors. First, you need to make sure your image has the correct number of pixels. Then, use portrait photos when possible, and use aspect ratios to keep the system from resizing your pictures. Finally, arrange your grid to appear the most attractive.

Do you want to get more file conversions done? Learn more about converting files today!

From Paper to the Cloud: What Is Digital Transformation?

Posted on March 13, 2021 | by Offdrive

The blistering pace of technology change over the last decade alone creates a lot of opportunities for businesses to solve customer pain points. It’s also a golden opportunity to streamline routine business processes with an eye toward cost savings and efficiency.

For businesses that lack a lot of tech-savvy, though, it’s also a stumbling block. Consider that nearly a third of small businesses don’t even have a website. These businesses often recognize the need for integrating tech, yet end up baffled by phrases like digital transformation.

Have you ever asked, “What is digital transformation?” Keep reading and we’ll give you an overview of what it is and how to better prep for tech trends.

What is Digital Transformation?

On the surface, digital transformation may just look like converting paper documents into computer files. While that’s a good start, it’s not true digital transformation. It’s simple digitization.

If you then convert those files so they can go into a searchable database for customers or employees, that comes closer to the mark.

At its core, digital transformation leverages technology to fundamentally alter how you do business, execute processes, or interact with customers. Let’s take the fact that a third of small businesses lack a website as an example. In fact, let’s say you don’t maintain a website for your business.

That means all of your customers must either find you in a phone book or via word-of-mouth. If you launch a website with an e-commerce component, that becomes digital transformation. A digital resource changes how your customers find, interact, and shop with your business.

IT Modernization

One major component of digital transformation is IT modernization. Many small and even medium-sized businesses still operate using outdated technology or outdated tech strategies.

Let’s say you were ahead of the curve and launched a website. Have you updated it recently? Do you host it on a local server?

If you haven’t updated that site recently, you are minimally behind the times in terms of SEO. For example, you probably don’t use the best image optimization strategies, such as:

Size reduction
Descriptive names
Appropriate file types

If you host your site locally, you’re missing out on opportunities in cloud technology. You can host your site in the cloud and run much less risk of the site going down because of some local disaster.

Integrating Technology

Digital transformation means integrating technology into your daily routines. Even if you don’t deploy a lot of tech assets, you likely still maintain digital files for customers and finance. Sure, you can create local copies of that data, but it’s still subject to local disasters like a fire.

Backing up crucial files with cloud storage creates a nearly foolproof failsafe for any files you cannot afford to lose. The Covid pandemic lit a fire under a lot of people in terms of remote work. For some businesses, it was the possible path for staying in business.

Getting a remote work framework up and running takes tech integration with things like project management software, video conferencing software, and virtual private networks. These tools let your employees keep working and access company files safely, despite not occupying your office space.

AI

Artificial intelligence probably won’t prove a first-line concern for many smaller businesses. For medium-sized and large businesses, though, it’s an increasingly necessary component of business-as-usual.

On the customer-facing front, many companies use AI chatbots to field customer service inquiries, find resources and even help people make orders. These chatbots take advantage of natural language processing that lets a chatbot grasp the meaning of human language. This means the chatbot can answer questions, even if you don’t use a specific keyword phrase.

An AI chatbot can streamline customer service processes by eliminating more of the more routine issues and only elevating problems that need a human being. That lets your customer service people focus more on providing good service and less on processing as many calls or emails as possible.

Employee Training

Digital transformation isn’t just a matter of buying a lot of shiny new tech toys. It’s also about creating a business culture that embraces technology and what it offers. That means bringing your employees into the digital age, at least in terms of the technology you want to use.

This translates into employee training centered on upskilling and re-skilling. Upskilling focuses on teaching employees how to adapt their current skills for some kind of technological advancement.

For example, that might mean getting your in-house bookkeeper trained on Quickbooks. If you have an IT person, you may pay for them to get AWS training or certification before you move processes into the cloud.

Re-skilling for digital transformation focuses on training employees for new, tech-based roles.

Let’s say you employ a young woman for a low-skill role, but everyone recognizes her natural intelligence. You might get her training in back-end programming, so she can manage databases that support new web functions. If you already have a database guru, you might get her training in front-end development, so she can develop and support a custom website.

This training also helps prepare your employees to recognize and stay ahead of new digital trends.

Upgrading Customer Processes

The online customer buying process is a notorious failure point for businesses. In some industries, cart abandonment rates exceed 80%. The reasons behind cart abandonment can vary, but process complexity plays a key role.

For example, make shipping costs obscure until the final moments of checkout and you’ll see high abandonment. Upgrading customer-centered processes to address pain points can boost your bottom line.

Leveraging Digital Transformation

Now you have an answer to the question of what is digital transformation. So, how do you leverage digital transformation with your business?

Honesty is your first step. You need a clear view of what technology you have, don’t have, and need.

Create a digital transformation framework that focuses on achievable goals. If your tech infrastructure is non-existent, focus on the low-hanging fruit. Get a website up and running and launch cloud backups.

Then, move on to the more complex tasks.

Need file conversion help for your digital transformation? Check out our blog for helpful file conversion tips.

5 Video File Formats You’ll Wish You Discovered Sooner

Posted on March 12, 2021 | by Offdrive

If you’re just getting into producing videos, it’s important that you’re knowledgable about all the video formats available. When it comes to publishing your videos on websites or social media platforms, you’ll find that using the right video format is the difference between a high-quality video or a highly compressed one.

Delivering videos to clients that are easy for them to use also requires you to use the best video file format, but this can vary depending on their software or operating systems. You may just want to convert a GIF to a video file.

With this in mind, read on to learn all about the best options when it comes to video file formats in this simple guide!

1. MP4

We’re starting off with the MP4 because it’s the most common video file format out there. No matter if you have a Windows or Mac computer, almost every video software you can download is capable of playing an MP4 file. Developed by Apple, the MP4 is capable of delivering high-quality video in the smallest video file format available.

One of its other main benefits is that it offers lossless compression. This means that no matter how many times the video is saved or edited, the quality will remain the same. Almost all social media platforms support MP4 video files if the frame rate is 30 to 40 fps or below.

2. MOV

MOV is another popular video format that was also developed by Apple. They were created in order to be played on Apple’s QuickTime player which is now available to download on Windows computers. It was created in order to deliver high-quality videos, though this comes at the cost of larger file sizes.

It isn’t as widely used as the MP4 file format because not all video players are able to play MOV files. For this reason, MOV may be the best file to use if you have the QuickTime player and want to present a high-quality slideshow or video presentation. There are a variety of social media platforms that are able to support MOV video files as well.

3. AVI

Even if you’re not familiar with video file formats, you may be familiar with AVI. This is because it’s one of the oldest video file formats out there with its development by Microsoft in 1992. Because it wasn’t created to be uploaded to the Internet, this is the best video file format to choose if you want to store videos on your computer without compromising quality.

It’s also predominantly used in ads, TV shows, and movies because of its superior quality and its ability to be played by a variety of applications.

4. WMV

Short for Windows Media Video, this video file format is largely used by Windows users because of its ability to compress into a small file without losing too much quality. The reason it’s able to compress so small is that it’s not a lossless video format, meaning this is the video file format to choose from if you want to share videos without worrying about the quality.

If you want to share videos via email or through forums, this is one of the best file formats to use for that reason. It’s not recommended to use for the majority of social media platforms.

5. FLV

FLV is short for Flash Video Format, and it’s another once-popular video format that was also developed by Adobe. One of the main benefits of this video format is that it can be easily embedded into web pages and played with the Adobe Flash Player. It also provides a lot of flexibility, as it can be read by a variety of video players.

However, it’s important to note that Flash isn’t being used as much as before and is slowly becoming obsolete on websites. The reason for this is because mobile iOS devices aren’t providing support for Flash. With more and more people using their mobile devices to browse the Internet, web developers don’t want to give them a subpar experience with videos that aren’t able to be played.

H.264

Our list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of this video codec. This is also known as MPEG-4 Part 10, as it’s a more advanced version of MPEG-4 that’s rarely used today. Although it’s not a separate file format, it’s an advanced video compression codec you need to know about as it’s one of the most popular. It provides high-quality videos at a lower bitrate.

Other video compression codec includes DivX, though it’s used far less compared to H.264.

Choosing the Best Video File Formats

When it comes to choosing the best video file formats, it all depends on how you’re distributing your video and the quality you desire. For instance, if you have a Windows computer and want to share a video with colleagues, using the WMV video file format may be the easiest option to send a video through email.

On the other hand, if you want to post high-quality videos online that aren’t too large, you’ll want to use the MP4 video file format. It provides higher quality without slowing down Internet connections or taking up too much space in your hard drive. However, if you want the highest quality video for a short advertisement, you may want to consider utilizing a MOV or AVI file.

Ready to learn more about converting your files or videos into the best format available? Keep reading our blog for more important guides and tips!

How to Convert a PDF Into a Google Doc the Right Way

Posted on March 11, 2021 | by Offdrive

Looking to convert your PDF files into Google Docs?

PDF, or Portable Document Format, is one of the most common file formats in the digital age. Before PDF, companies were looking for a secure cross-platform format.

Many companies now standardize their documents and files as PDFs. One of the main characteristics of PDF is that it stays original to the source file. This is great for official documents, but what if you need to make changes?

If you’re wondering how to convert a PDF into a Google Doc, you’re at the right place!

Converting a PDF to a Google Doc is easy with this guide. Read on to discover what you need to do to convert PDF files.

What is Google Docs?

Docs is Google’s web-based document application. Google offers Docs as part of their online productivity package. Users with an online connection can create and store files from any device.

Many companies rely on Google Docs to collaborate with their teams. Since the pandemic pushed many businesses to remote work, this is a crucial tool. Dealing with PDFs can be a hassle if you’re a remote worker or an online student.

It can be difficult to update your team about changes or new information. However, there is a solution to this. Google Docs offers a feature to help users convert PDF files into editable documents.

Here’s how:

Basic Guideline

Using Google Docs to convert PDF files is easy and straightforward. However, there are some factors to consider to help you get the best results. Because Google Docs is a web-based application, it can only handle a limited file size.

The maximum size for any PDF or image is 2 MB. Ensure that your files don’t exceed this number when you’re converting a PDF. It would also be best if you use standard fonts like Times New Roman and Arial.

Any text in an image of PDF should be at least 10 pixels high to ensure good quality. If you’re converting an image file, choose a sharp image with strong contrasts. Dark or blurry files may not translate well when you convert them into Google Docs.

Document orientations should stay right-side-up and not turned to the left or right. Google Docs may have a harder time converting complicated PDF files. Take note, however, that your new PDF file may not retain tables, lists, or footnotes.

If this isn’t a problem for you, you can proceed with the file conversion. With these simple guidelines, you can ensure a smooth converting process.

Images to Text

To convert files in Google Docs, you need to log into your account through a desktop. Select the folder icon under the templates section of Google Docs. Select Upload and choose a file from your device, or drag and drop the file onto the window.

When it’s finished uploading, right-click on the PDF file. Select Open With and choose Google Docs in the options. Google Docs will then convert your PDF file into editable text.

Note that your file will still retain the PDF extension. However, it will show a different icon from the original PDF file. You can use Google Docs to save it as DOCX or into a new PDF file.

Format First With Microsoft Word

If your PDF file contains special formatting, this may not convert well in Docs. You can work around this with Microsoft word. It will require some extra steps, but you won’t have to worry about losing tables and footnotes.

Open Microsoft Word on your desktop. From the main menu, select Open and upload your desired PDF file. MS Word will display a pop-up window asking you to confirm the conversion.

Select OK and wait for the conversion to finish. MS Word does a better job at retaining original formatting. This includes basic formatting like indents and spacing. It also keeps tables, numbered lists, and footnotes from your original document.

Select File > Save As to save the document to your device. You may need to Enable Editing first to do this. You may then open your Google Drive account and open your new DOCX file there.

Complete the file conversion by saving your new file in Docs. Though you may need to work a little harder, this is a great way to keep your original document’s format.

Use PDF Converter Tools on Your Device

You may use present apps on your current device to convert PDF to Google Docs. Applications like Adobe Acrobat have a built-in tool to convert PDF files. If you don’t have an Adobe Acrobat license, there are other third-party apps you can use.

If you need to convert a PDF file on the go, some great mobile apps will try. Here are some of the best file conversion apps.

PDF Conversion Suite
PDF to Word
easyPDF
PDF to Word Converter, and
OfficeSuite

If you don’t currently have access to a desktop, this is the best way to do it. You can then copy the converted file into the Google Docs app on your phone.

Use Online Converters

If you don’t want to download additional apps, consider using an online converter. There are plenty of free web-based converters for your PDF files. Some websites may have ads but often will not interfere with the file conversion.

If you’re looking for a good online converter, try our service! We at OffDrive offer everything you need for your file conversion needs.

We not only convert PDF files to Docs but also other file formats. OffDrive covers your spreadsheets and presentation files.

How to Convert a PDF Into a Google Doc In a Few Simple Steps

Now you know how to convert a PDF into a Google Doc. With these steps, you can start making changes to your files. Whether you need it for an online module or work document, this will help you get the Docs file you need.

Want to start converting your files today? We got you! Check out our free file conversion service today.

7 Benefits of Using PDFs for Your Business

Posted on March 10, 2021 | by Offdrive

The PDF format remains popular in the modern workplace, holding a 52% share of all Internet traffic files.

First created in 1993 by Adobe, the file format has become a standard for printable digital documents. Billions of PDFs contain essential information like government reports and statistical data.

But what are the top benefits of PDFs for your business?

This article breaks down seven essential advantages of PDFs and how they can help your company.

Learn how their ubiquitous nature means you can share PDFs with anyone yet still retain their formatting. Then discover how to keep your documents safe through password protection.

Read on to see how simple it is to convert your existing documents to PDF format and how the format will live on forever.

1. PDF Files Work on Any Platform

The biggest advantage of converting your documents to PDF format is that they look the same on every device.

Regardless if you use Windows, Mac, or Linux, a PDF will appear identically on all three operating systems. Unlike HTML or a Word document, PDFs retain their formatting. That means no more shifting of charts or missing words when you open a report.

All you need is a PDF viewer.

They’re free and always produce the same results. Even web browsers embed the files so you can view them online anywhere in the world.

2. Password Protected

Many business owners stick with Microsoft Word because it has a password protection feature. But did you know that PDFs offer that functionality too?

It’s simple to add a password to a PDF document. Your important files are then kept safe and can only be opened by those users you share the password with.

However, if you’re worried that others can edit your PDFs after opening them then consider this.

All PDFs are read-only. That means you can’t simply alter them like a Word document. It provides an additional layer of security that other formats don’t have.

3. Small File Size

PDFs that contain simple text content often result in far smaller file sizes compared to office docs.

The reason for this is PDF files are automatically compressed. You can add multiple PDFs as email attachments without a problem or save them to your cloud drive. It’s one of the reasons larger organizations like banks store millions of customer records as PDF files.

PDFs can also be created on-the-fly.

You can combine them with information from a database and serve them via your website. And all at a small file size.

4. Easy to Convert to PDF

You may be wondering how difficult it is to convert your existing Word and Excel documents to PDF format. Well, there’s great news as Offdrive is here to make that process a breeze.

Our Document Conversion tools let you transform any type of document into a PDF.

That includes the likes of PowerPoint files. Slides appear as pages and all the formatting and template colors get kept in place.

The process works in reverse too.

If you need to edit PDFs, simply convert them into a Microsoft Word document. Make your changes, save the file, then convert it back to PDF. Easy!

5. Designed to Last

PDFs are designed to retain their data and format while in transit.

When you send a PDF report to your business partner or customers you can be certain it won’t get tampered with. Neither will it get corrupted or stop working for no reason.

Think of a PDF as an image that you can’t touch-up.

Unlike a painting or artwork, PDF files cannot get torn or damaged. They remain exactly the same and preserve their formatting as intended.

6. PDF Files Are Interactive

You might not know this but PDFs allow you to fully interact with them if you allow it.

Adobe Indesign enables you to create a PDF workspace where you can add links and interactive elements. You can embed bookmarks into pages and link to them from a contents page.

Like a web site, you can also insert:

actionable buttons
videos
audio files
animated GIFs
visual links

It doesn’t stop there as you can also embed Office documents like Word and Excel spreadsheets. Interactive PDF services like bit.ai even let you create quizzes and polls and place them within your PDFs!

7. PDFs Will Be Around Forever

PDFs are universal.

Millions of businesses incorporate the format into their working-day lives. Manufacturers let customers access instruction manuals on their website by downloading PDF files. Information is sent using PDFs around the globe every day.

PDF is now a recognized ISO international standard.

In July 2008, Adobe’s most productive application received ISO 32000-1 status. The PDF ISO standard covers:

PDF/X – digital materials now mirror their printed counterparts
PDF/A – a standardized way to preserve and archive information
PDF/E – for engineering and technical documents
PDF/VT – variable and transactional printing
PDF/UA – universal access for users with a disability

This transition to an open-standard means other developers can improve the software. PDFs will become more secure and interactive. And they won’t fall by the wayside like other formats including Flash or the .swf extension.

All of this means that the format will continue to prosper for years to come. You can convert your files to PDF and they’ll be accessible forever.

Convert PDF Files From Any Format With Offdrive

This article has highlighted the benefits of PDFs.

Not only do they work on any platform or device but they offer smaller file sizes compared to other documents. You can password protect your PDF files and make them interactive, just like a web page.

One of the biggest advantages of PDFs is how easy it is to convert files into that format.

Microsoft Word to PDF is a snap using Offdrive’s free conversion tool. You can also convert Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations, and image formats like JPEG.

And don’t forget that the process works the other way too.

Convert your PDFs to the Epub ebook reader format using our free online service. There are no limits and we have dozens of formats to choose from