One of the most frustrating things about browsing files online is that you always have to download the file first and then open it in other third-party software. Well, if your purpose is just to view and analyze files then it is quite a tedious process. Also, it takes some storage space. Popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox have built-in support for PDF files only. Mainly because they are useful for printing purposes. However, you can extend your file browsing and open most document formats in Chrome and Firefox with the following extensions.
Open different document formats directly in your browser | denizn / Shutterstock
One of the powerful tools for viewing documents online is Google Docs. It supports most file formats. Including DOCX, PDF, XLS, CSV, etc. Some of the extensions mentioned here will redirect you to Google Docs to open the file. So let’s dig in.
Online Document Viewer for Chrome and Firefox
Online Document Viewer is an extension available for both Chrome and Firefox. With this extension you can open any file format you want. It uses Google documents to open files. It adds an icon next to the link to the file document. So let’s say you search for some PDF on Google. You’ll see the Online Documents viewer’s icon next to the URL.
Clicking the icon will take you to a new page and will automatically open the file in Google Docs. The same goes for any link on any website. One thing to note here is that the Google Docs viewer starts displaying the contents of the file as the file is downloaded. However, the built-in viewer first downloads the entire file and then displays its contents.
Now let’s see its options. In the settings you can choose the file format you want to open.
The overview tab contains the option to open the link in a new tab and that’s it. No more options available. Here is an example of XLS document.
Well, the extension doesn’t seem to open all the files it says it can open. I tried PSD, AI and TTF. And, it says No preview available.
If you get this error, then you can click more Turn out and open the file with another third-party Google Docs extension.
Note: The Firefox plugin has not been updated to support the latest version of Firefox. So due to its incompatibility, it may not work.
For Firefox users, there is another powerful extension.
Open IT Online for Firefox
Open IT online is more customizable than the Document online viewer and just as efficient. You can choose the online service you want to use to open the file. In addition, you have the option to view files online in Save file Dialog box. That way, after viewing the file, you can download it quickly.
As soon as you install the extension, you will be asked to choose your service.
After you have set up the extension, try to save the file and you will get Open IT online in the save file dialog. Alternatively, if you’re a Box user, you can also save files there.
In the options dialog, you can choose which service you want to use for a particular file format.
You can also edit files using the Vuzit online service. But, it has been acquired by several other companies. So this service is no longer available.
Open IT Online Lite for Chrome
Also, there is a Chrome extension using Open IT online. However, it has not been updated for a long time. But it worked. This is the Lite version and provides options to choose different services. Right click on the file and you will have the option to Open IT Online. Clicking on it will take you to a new tab page where you can select an online service.
It is clear that development has long since stopped.
Any other extensions you can recommend?
Those extensions I mentioned were quick and got the job done. You don’t need to download the document if you just want to view it. These extensions save a lot of time. If you know of any other useful Chrome or Firefox extensions that can open most file formats, let us know in the comments.
SEE ALSO: How to stop automatic loading of images and videos in Chrome and Firefox
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
