Hey everyone! I’m working on a web app and I need to let users make and change documents. I looked into the Google Drive API but I’m not sure what it can do.
Can I use the actual Google Docs editor in my app? Or do I have to make my own editor from scratch? I really want to use Google’s editor because it’s perfect for what I need. Making something that good would be super hard.
If I can’t use Google’s editor, does anyone know any free document editors that work well with C# ASP.NET? I’d love something with features like Google Docs.
I know the Drive API lets me work with files in a user’s Google Drive. But can I use the Google Docs editor itself in my app? Or is that not possible?
Thanks for any help you can give me!
I’ve explored this extensively for a client project. Unfortunately, embedding the full Google Docs editor in a custom web app isn’t possible with the current Drive API. Google restricts this functionality to protect their ecosystem.
However, there are workarounds. You can integrate Google Docs viewing capabilities using the Google Drive Viewer API. This allows users to view and comment on documents within your app, but not edit directly.
For editing, consider alternatives like CKEditor or TinyMCE. These are robust, open-source rich text editors that can be integrated into ASP.NET applications. While not as feature-rich as Google Docs, they offer solid functionality for most use cases.
Alternatively, you could implement a workflow where users open documents in Google Docs via a link, then your app syncs changes using the Drive API. This maintains the Google Docs experience while keeping your app in the loop.
I’ve been down this road before, and it’s a bit tricky. Embedding the full Google Docs editor isn’t possible, but there are some decent alternatives.
In my experience, Quill.js works well with ASP.NET. It’s lightweight, customizable, and has a clean interface. I’ve used it in a few projects, and while it’s not as feature-rich as Google Docs, it gets the job done for most basic editing needs.
Another option I’ve had success with is Froala Editor. It’s not free, but it offers a more polished experience and better integration with .NET frameworks. The learning curve is steeper, but the results are worth it if you need advanced features.
Remember, whichever editor you choose, you’ll need to handle document storage and syncing yourself. That’s where the Google Drive API can still come in handy, even if you can’t use their editor directly.
hey, i’ve tried this before. you can’t embed the full google docs editor cause google doesn’t allow it. try ckeditor or tinymce with asp.net. they’re not as fancy but can work. best of luck with your project!