Feature • Last updated: August 11, 2026

Edit Files on FTP & Cloud Without Downloading

Open a file that lives on a server, edit it in whatever app you normally use, hit save - and FTPie puts it back where it came from.

FTPie bridges your files with any local application or powerful cloud editors. Whether you prefer native apps or collaborative cloud tools, FTPie handles all file transfers automatically.

Powerful Cloud Editing

Access Google Docs and Microsoft 365 editors for your files stored anywhere - FTPie automatically transfers documents to the required cloud storage for editing.

Google Docs

  • Requires Google Drive connection
  • Works with files from any storage
  • Automatic format conversion

Microsoft 365

  • Requires OneDrive connection
  • Full Office Online integration
  • Preserves original file formats
Cloud Editing Workflow
  1. Select a file from any connected storage (FTP, Dropbox, etc.)
  2. Choose "Edit in Google Docs" or "Edit in Microsoft 365"
  3. FTPie automatically transfers the file to Google Drive/OneDrive
  4. Edit in the powerful cloud editor
  5. When done, FTPie moves the edited file back to its original location
  6. Temporary cloud copies are automatically cleaned up
A file on an FTP server is copied to Google Drive as a temporary file, edited in Google Docs, and your saved version is written back to the original location, with the temp copy removed afterwards
The cloud editor never has to know the file came from an FTP server.
Demonstration: Editing workflow with both cloud and local applications

Universal Local Editing

Prefer your local applications? FTPie works with any software installed on your computer:

Supported Applications

  • All office suites (LibreOffice, MS Office, etc.)
  • Code editors (VS Code, Sublime Text, etc.)
  • Creative tools (Photoshop, GIMP, etc.)
  • And any other file editor

Local Editing Workflow

  1. Select file from any storage provider
  2. FTPie downloads to secure temp location
  3. File opens in your default application
  4. Edit normally - changes save locally
  5. FTPie syncs changes back automatically
  6. Temp files are securely removed

Why Use FTPie for Editing?

  • Your choice of editor - use powerful cloud apps or any local software
  • Works with any storage - edit files regardless of where they're stored
  • Zero manual transfers - FTPie handles all file movements automatically

For a complete guide on editing remote files without downloading them, see how to edit remote files directly. FTPie also includes built-in viewers and editors for quick previews without external apps.

What it does not do

This is not collaborative editing. FTPie writes back the version you saved and does not merge concurrent changes, so if two people open the same remote file the last save wins - treat it the way you would any shared network file. FTPie also does not ship its own Office suite; it hands the file to the application you already have, or to Google Docs and Microsoft 365.

Two people editing the same remote file: your save at 14:02 and theirs at 14:05 both write back, and the file ends up holding only the 14:05 version because there is no merge step
Whoever saves last is what the file holds - the same rule as any shared network drive.

Common questions

How does editing a remote file work?

You open the file from FTPie and it launches in whichever application Windows normally uses for that type. When you save, FTPie notices and uploads the changed file back to the storage it came from - you never handle the transfer yourself.

Does the file really never touch my disk?

It does, briefly - the file is fetched to a working copy so your editor can open it, then written back on save. What you avoid is the manual download, find, edit, re-upload and cleanup cycle, not the local copy itself.

Can I use Google Docs or Microsoft 365?

Yes. Office documents can be opened in the cloud editors as well as in desktop applications, which is useful when you want to edit from a machine that has no Office install.

What if I edit the same file on two machines?

FTPie writes back the version you saved. It is not a collaborative editor and does not merge concurrent changes, so treat a remote file the way you would a shared network file.

Which storages does this work with?

All of them - FTP, FTPS, SFTP, WebDAV, NAS shares, the major clouds and self-hosted servers. FTP and SFTP are in the free plan; the rest are part of Pro. See the plan comparison.

Related

Start Your 14-Day Free Trial

Download FTPie and start your free 14-day trial. Enjoy seamless FTP + cloud integration and keep using the free version afterward.

Download Free Trial
CASA Verified & VirusTotal Scanned
14-day trial · Free version included
Windows 10 & 11