Google Docs for Confluence – Quick Start

Google Docs for Confluence is an app that displays Google Docs directly within Confluence pages. Documents appear inline rather than as external links or downloadable files, and remain connected to their source in Google Drive.

This is particularly relevant for teams working with shared specifications, meeting notes, or collaborative reports. The Confluence Google Docs integration maintains the original formatting, applies Google Drive permissions to control access, and reflects edits made in either platform.

For teams that need to embed Google Doc in Confluence, the app provides a way to centralize documentation. Content stays synchronized across both tools, and team members can reference or edit documents without navigating between separate applications.

How to retrieve a Google Doc's URL

Embed the document with the editor's interface

1. In your Google document, click on Share in the upper right corner of the screen.

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2. Set your desired access options, then click on Copy.

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Embedding Google documents with restricted access

Viewing Google documents with organization or restricted access requires an authorized Google account and consequently, the ability to log into such account.

However, Google’s support to external authentication is currently limited.

If a user tries to view a restricted document through an embedder app and they’re NOT logged into any Google account, Google’s login screen won’t show up and instead a generic error will be displayed.

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To fix this:

• open a separate tab and access any Google product

• log into your Google account

• go back to Jira/Confluence or monday.com and refresh the page

Once you are logged in, it will also apply to other Google Workspace embedders you use.

Aggressive cookie-blocking systems (like the default options in Brave browser) will prevent the embedder app to keep your authentication. Disable them in order to correctly log into your Google account. Deleting cookies will cancel your authentication.

Embed the document without the editor’s interface (Google Sheets and Google Docs only)

1. In Google Sheets and Google Docs, click on File > Share > Publish to web.

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2. If not published, set your desired publishing settings and click on Publish.

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3. Copy the displayed URL in the Link tab.

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1. Copy the public URL address of your Google Docs file

2. Paste it into your Confluence editor

3. (Optional) Edit the viewer settings

1. Copy the URL address of your Google Docs file

2. Open the Google Docs macro in Confluence typing /docs

3. Paste the URL of the file into the corresponding section

4. (Optional) Edit the viewer settings

1. Do I need special permissions to use Google Docs for Confluence? You need at least view access to the Google Doc you want to embed. Editing rights in Confluence depend on the permissions set in Google Drive.

2. Can I edit a Google Doc directly inside Confluence? Yes. Edits made in the embedded document are automatically saved in Google Docs. The app keeps content synchronized across both platforms.

3. Does the integration change the formatting of my Google Docs? No. The plugin preserves the original formatting and layout of your document when displayed in Confluence.

4. What happens if someone doesn’t have access to the Google Doc? Users without the proper Google Drive permissions will not be able to view or edit the embedded file in Confluence.

5. Is it possible to embed multiple Google Docs on the same Confluence page? Yes. You can insert more than one Google Doc by repeating the embed process for each file.

6. Can I control the size or display settings of the embedded document? Yes. After inserting the document, you can adjust the viewer settings in Confluence to fit your page layout.

7. Is the connection between Confluence and Google Docs secure? Yes. The integration relies on Google Drive’s access controls and Confluence’s security framework. Data remains managed under your organization’s existing policies.

8. What happens if the Google Doc is deleted or moved? If the file is deleted or moved in Google Drive, the Confluence page will no longer display the document. You’ll need to re-embed the updated link.