How To Use Google Docs

Learn how to use Google docs, and why it can be such a handy tool to help you run your business more efficiently.

How To Use Google Docs

Google Docs is Google’s answer to a web based documents system. To use the software all you have to do is have a Gmail account or go to docs.Google.com and register for a Google account. It’s free. In addition to word processing, you can create spreadsheets, forms, and presentations.

Once at the Google Docs website the rest is easy.

Step #1 Click on the new document tab in the upper left hand corner.

Step #2 Choose the type of document you want to create. If you’re familiar with Excel, MS Word, and PowerPoint, these document types will look and feel familiar.

Step #3 Once you’ve made your document choice, a new document will open. If you’ve, for example, chosen to create a text document, you’ll see the same type of toolbar at the top of the page. You can then format your content the same way you would a Word document. You can choose your font type, size, and formatting. You can align the page right or left, highlight, list items, include links and more.

Step #4 The final step is to save your document. This is where Google documents really pays off. It will save and then store it right in Google. Organize folders as needed to keep your content organized. Every time you log into Google, you will have access to the document. This means there’s no more worrying about leaving an important document on your work computer when you have headed home, or are going on a business trip.

Step #5 If you want to export the document and store it on your desktop or hard drive, all you have to do is click on the file menu and choose “download as” from the pop up list. There you’ll see you have the option to download the document as HTML, Open Office, Text, Word, RTF or PDF. That means if you’re sending the document to someone who uses MS Word, you can download it as a Word doc and send it to them quickly and easily. If they have a Mac, a text file will work on all computers.

Step #6 Another great feature of Google Docs is being able to share your documents with colleagues, or even a whole team. Click on the word “Share” in the upper right hand of the document toolbar. You will see a number of options, including sending a link to the document to a person, emailing the documents to a person or persons, inviting people to view the document, or publishing as a web page. This makes collaboration really easy.

Google documents is one of those resources that makes creating, editing and sharing documents quick and easy. It’s extremely user friendly, and it’s free.

FURTHER READING

Visit the Google Spotlight to learn more about all of their free and useful tools.

Summary
How To Use Google Docs
Article Name
How To Use Google Docs
Description
Learn how to use Google docs, and why it can be such a handy tool to help you run your business more efficiently.
Author
Eternal Spiral Books
Eternal Spiral Books
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