If you've heard of Google Docs, you're probably already aware of its cutting-edge sharing features and useful auto-save. However, if you've never used Google Docs before, getting started can be tricky, especially with the various options, templates, and file-sharing settings. However, by following the steps in this article, you can master Google Docs in no time!
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Method 1 of 6: Understanding Google Docs
Step 1. Use Google Docs to create text-based documents
As the name suggests, Google Docs is a great application for writing documents, just like when you create a Microsoft Word document. You can also use Google Docs to easily share your documents with others, and you can always access Google Docs documents because they are stored on your online storage space, and not your computer's hard drive.
The best part is that Google Docs is free to use. All you need is a Google account to access the service or app
Step 2. Select the template you want to use based on the document that needs to be created
Google Docs doesn't just offer blank pages. You can also choose from letter templates, resumes, project submissions, and other documents. Each template has its own color scheme and layout so you won't feel bored, regardless of the options you choose.
You can try several different templates until you find an option you like
Step 3. Let Google Docs save your document automatically
Another advantage of Google Docs is that there is no save button because the document is automatically saved by the computer. Every time you make changes, the document is automatically saved to Google Drive so you don't have to worry about losing data if your computer crashes or crashes.
You can make sure the autosave feature is working by looking at the left corner of the document. Google Docs will notify you when a document is saved and successfully “secured” in your Google Drive account
Method 2 of 6: Using Google Docs on a Computer
Step 1. Access https://docs.google.com from a web browser
You can use any web browser (including Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge) on a Windows or Mac computer to access Google Docs.
If you don't have a Google/Gmail account, you'll need to create one before you can access Google Docs
Step 2. Sign in to your Google account
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to sign in to your account using your Google/Gmail account username and password. After that, you'll be directed to a list of documents that you've opened, edited, or are still working on. You can also see several options for creating a new document at the top of the screen.
Step 3. Click “Blank” + to create a blank/new document
This button appears on the top left side of the page. A new document that you can edit at will will be created.
- If you want to create a new document via a template, expand the list of templates by clicking “ Gallery Templates ” at the top right of the page, then select the template you want to create a new document with.
- Some popular template options such as “ Resume " and " Brochure ” can be found at the top center of the page.
Step 4. Select Untitled document to rename the file
By default, the new document is named as " Untitled document ". To change it to a name other than " Untitled document ", press Del to delete the existing text first, then type a new name for the document. Press Enter or Return on the keyboard to save changes.
- You can also change the name of the document in the list of files on the main Google Docs page. Click the three dots icon in a vertical line in the lower right corner of the file, then select " Rename ".
- Now you have successfully created a new document! From here, you can edit, share, and close the document.
Step 5. Edit the existing document
As long as your computer is connected to the internet, Google Docs will automatically save your work while you work.
- Take advantage of the toolbar at the top of the document to determine the font size, type, color, and style.
- To set the line spacing, select the menu “ Format ", click " Line Spacing, and select " Single ”, “ Double ”, or any other option you need.
- Menus " Format ” contains tools that can be used to add columns, document headers or headers, footnotes, and others.
- If you need to add pictures, tables, charts, or special characters, select the menu “ Insert ”, find and click the content or media you want to add, then follow the on-screen instructions.
- To change the document page orientation to landscape or landscape, open the “File” menu and click “Page setup”. After that, you can choose “Landscape” or “Portrait”.
- Google Docs will underline words that may contain salty. Click the underlined word to view suggestions, then select the word you want to use. To check the spelling of words in the document as a whole, select the " Tools ” and click “Spelling”.
- If you need to download a copy of the document, select the menu “ File ", click " Download as ”, and specify the format you want.
Step 6. Share the document
If you want to create a collaborative document that other people can work on, you can share it with a person or group of users. Here's how:
- Select button " Share ” in blue at the top right of the page.
- Enter the email addresses of the people you want to send the document to (separate each address with a comma).
- Select the pencil icon to the right of the " Browse " column to see a list of document permissions (eg. Can view ”, “ Can edit ", or " Can comment ”), then make your choice.
- Choose " Advanced ” in the lower right side of the “Sharing” window to review more options and make changes as needed.
- Select button " Send ” to send the document link.
Step 7. Close the document when you are done
Select the blue paper icon at the top left of the page to access the list of documents again. You will be taken back to the main Google Docs page which contains all the documents so you can open another existing document or create a new one.
Step 8. Edit the document later
When you need to continue or work on a document, return to https://docs.google.com and click the document name in the file list.
Method 3 of 6: Using Google Docs on a Phone or Tablet
Step 1. Install Google Docs on your phone or tablet
For iPhone or iPad users, you can download Google Docs through the App Store. For Android device users, you can download it through the Google Play Store.
You need to create a Google/Gmail account first before you can access the Google Docs service/app if you haven't already
Step 2. Run Google Docs
This app has a blue paper icon labeled " Docs " and is usually displayed on the home screen (iPhone/iPad) or the device's app drawer (Android). Touch the icon to open the application.
Step 3. Touch +
It's a circle in the lower-right side of the screen.
Step 4. Select New document to create a new blank document
On Android devices, this button creates a new blank document. For iPhone or iPad users, first enter the document name and select “ CREATE ” before the document is created.
- If you want to use a template, select " Choose a template ” to display the template search window. After that, select the template you want to create a document with in the selected template format.
- Now you have successfully created a Google Docs document! From this point on, you can edit, rename, and share the document.
Step 5. Edit the existing document
As long as your phone or tablet is connected to the internet, Google Docs will automatically save the document while you work.
- To adjust the paragraph alignment and/or line spacing, double-tap the section or area where the alignment/spacing changes start, tap the “Format” icon (the letter “A” with multiple lines of text), select “ paragraph ”, and select the option you need.
- To change the document orientation to landscape mode, click the three-dot icon on the top right side of the screen and select “Page Setup”. After that, you can choose “Landscape” or “Portrait”.
- To change the appearance of the text, double-tap the text until a blue marker appears. After that, drag the marker to select the text you need to edit. Select the “Format” icon (the letter “A” with multiple lines of text), touch “ Text ”, and select the option you want.
- You can add images, headers/headers, footnotes, tables, page numbers, and other elements or content while in print mode (“Print Mode”). To enable it, select the three-dot icon at the top right of the screen, then drag the "Print layout" switch to the on or "On" position. Select the pencil icon at the bottom right of the screen to return to the text editing window, touch “ + ” to access the “Insert” menu, then select the media or content you want to add.
Step 6. Share the document
If you want to create a collaborative document that other people can work on, you can share it with a person or group of users. Here's how:
- Select the “Share” button (marked by a human image with a “+” symbol) at the top of the “Share” page.
- Enter the email address of the person you want to share the file with into the " People " field.
- Tap the pencil icon to the right of the " People " column to see a list of user permissions (eg. View ”, “ Edit ”, “ Comment ”), then select the desired option.
- Select the “Send” icon (marked by the image of a paper airplane) at the top right of the page to share the document link via email.
Step 7. Click the arrow button to exit the document
When you're done working on the document, look at the top left side of the screen and click the back arrow. You will be taken to a list of Google Docs documents where you can create a new document or edit an existing one.
You can also press the “Home” button on the phone to close the app
Step 8. Edit the document later
When you want to work on a document, simply open the Google Docs app and select the document title in the file list. To make changes to the document, select the pencil icon at the bottom right of the screen to access editing mode.
Method 4 of 6: Create a Google Docs Document from a Word File
Step 1. Open Google Drive
The app is marked by a triangular icon of three different colors. You can access it through your Google account by visiting
If you don't have a Google account, you'll need to create one before you can upload Word documents
Step 2. Click New
In the upper-left corner of the screen, click the button labeled “New” with a plus sign next to it. A drop-down menu will open afterwards.
Step 3. Select File upload
A dialog box will open and you can select the files that need to be uploaded from your computer.
You can also upload a folder from your computer to save on Google Drive storage space
Step 4. Open a Word document saved on the computer
Select the desired Word document by double-clicking it.
Step 5. Double-click the file to open it
It may take a while for the file to finish uploading so be patient. Once it's ready, you can click on the file on the main Google Drive page to open and edit it.
Now you can edit, share, and rename Google Docs documents, just like you would any regular document stored on your computer
Method 5 of 6: “Forcing” Users to Make a Copy of Google Docs Documents
Step 1. Use this trick to “force” the recipient to make a copy of the document
When you send a document to someone via Google Docs, there may be times when you want the recipient to have their own copy, edit it, and send it back to you. Since Google Docs settings aren't designed for these conditions, you can change the URL and "force" the user to make a copy of the file instead of editing the original.
You can use this method when sending worksheets to students, or files to multiple employees
Step 2. Open the document
Visit Google Docs and open the document you want to share.
Step 3. Click the Share button
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen and is light blue.
Step 4. Click Change to anyone with the link
At the bottom of the pop-up box, click the last line of dialogue. A new box will be opened after that.
Step 5. Copy the link and paste it in another media or column
You can bookmark the link or use your mouse to right-click the link, then select “Copy” or press the Copy link button. Paste the link into a blank Google Docs document so you can edit it.
You can also paste the link in the URL field at the top of the browser window
Step 6. Replace the “edit” segment at the end of the link with “copy”
Scroll to the end of the link until you see the word “edit”. Delete the word, then type in “copy” and be careful not to change the rest of the URL.
Step 7. Send the modified link to the recipient
The link will automatically open a dialog box asking if the recipient wants to make a copy of the file. You can send the link to as many users (as you wish) so that everyone has a copy of the document you create.
Method 6 of 6: Creating a PDF File from a Google Docs Document
Step 1. Open Google Doc
From Google Drive, select the document you want to save as a PDF file.
Step 2. Click File, then select Print.
Move the cursor to the top left corner of the page and click the “File” menu. Scroll the screen, then click “Print”.
With this step, you can also print Google Docs documents directly from your computer
Step 3. Select “Save as PDF” as the save destination
Next to “Destination”, click the drop-down box to view options. After that, select “Save as PDF”.
Step 4. Click Save
The document will be saved to your computer as a PDF file with the same name as the original file name in Google Docs.
Tips
- Don't worry or bother saving Google Docs documents manually! This service will save the document you are working on automatically every time you make a change.
- If you use Google Docs outside of a network (without a WiFi or internet connection), the document may not be automatically saved until the computer or device reconnects to the network.
- You can crop or edit an image in a Google Docs document by double-clicking the image.
