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The feature is being built on Google Gears, and will allow users to access the docs website and edit their documents offline. The changes will then automatically synchronise when the user reconnects to the internet.

Should a document with multiple collaborators be uploaded, any conflicting edits are highlighted through a dialog box with a request to confirm which change should stand.

Speaking

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on its blog, Google says it will begin rolling out offline access to its word processor in the next few weeks, beginning with "a small percentage of users".

The offline feature will be identifiable by small offline menu item, which will appear in the top right of the screen.

However, those looking to ditch Microsoft Office in favour of Google's free suite, may have to wait a little longer. While users will be able to edit their documents offline, they will not be able to create new documents - a feature which Google says will come "eventually."

Offline access for its spreadsheet and presentation applications is set to follow once the word processor rollout is complete, though initially users will only have read-only access.

Google's announcement comes just as OpenOffice.org releases the latest version of its popular open-source office suite.