Storing data in the cloud can offer smartphone users a lot of practical advantages, like the ability to access your files from multiple devices with ease, all while freeing-up storage space on your handset. In spite of those benefits, the cloud won’t do you much good when you can’t reach it; trusting important documents to the cloud means trusting that you’ll be able to find an internet connection when you need to access them. Google has a new update out for Google Docs today that takes aim at just that issue, letting you locally backup files to your phone for offline access.

In order to access a specific file while offline, all you’ll have to do is long-press it in the app’s Document List and select “make available offline”. If you don’t have a data connection at the time, the app will remember your request and retrieve the file next chance it gets. Docs will also keep track of the file’s status on Google’s servers, and let you know if the copy on your phone is up-to-date with the latest edits.

In addition to this offline mode, Google Docs is getting a revamped layout for Android tablets. The company claims that the app now takes advantage of all the extra pixels on a tablet’s screen to display files in high resolution. You’ll also see new navigation controls, with a slider for convenient access within documents.

Google Docs 1.0.43 is available in the Android Market now.

Source: Google