How to Make a Google Doc

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Hannah Madden is a writer, editor, and artist currently living in Portland, Oregon. In 2018, she graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. Hannah enjoys writing articles about conservation, sustainability, and eco-friendly products. When she isn’t writing, you can find Hannah working on hand embroidery projects and listening to music.

There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 76,035 times.

If you’ve heard anything about Google Docs, you might know about its awesome sharing features and its helpful autosave. But if you’ve never opened up Google Docs before, just getting started can feel overwhelming, with tons of options, templates, and sharing settings. By following these step by step instructions, you can become a master at Google Docs in no time!

Understanding Google Docs

• The best part is that Google Docs is completely free—all you’ll need is a Google account to log in.

• You can try out a few different templates until you see one that you like.

• You can see the autosave working by looking up in the left hand corner. It will tell you when the document is saving and when it’s been saved to your Drive.

Using a Computer

• If you don't have a Google/Gmail account, you'll need to create one before you can access Google Docs.

Sign in with your Google account. Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with your Google/Gmail account name and password. This brings you to a list of documents you've opened, edited, or otherwise worked on. You'll also see some options for creating a new document at the top of the screen. [5] X Research source

• If you want to create a new document from a template, click Template Gallery near the top-right corner of the page to expand the list, then click a template to create a new document.
• Popular template options (such as Resume and Brochure) appear at the top-center area of the page.

• You can also rename your document in the file list on Google Docs. Click the 3 dots in a vertical line on the bottom right of the file, then click “Rename.”
• You’ve now created your document! From here, you can edit, share, and close your document.

• Use the toolbar at the top of the document to adjust the font size, face, color, and style.
• To adjust the line spacing, click the Format menu, select Line Spacing, and then choose Single, Double, or your preferred option.
• The Format menu also contains tools for adding columns, headers, footers, headers, and more.
• To insert an image, table, chart, or special characters, click the Insert menu, choose the item you want to insert, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
• To change your document to landscape view, open up “File” then click “Page setup.” From there, you can choose “Landscape” or “Portrait.”
• Google Docs will underline any potential spelling errors—click an underlined word to see suggestions, then click the one you want to use. To spellcheck your entire document, click the Tools menu, and then select Spelling.
• If you want to download a copy of your document, click the File menu, select Download as, and then choose a format.

• Click the blue Share button near the top-right corner of the page.
• Enter the email addresses of the people you want to share with, separated by commas.
• Click the pencil icon to the right of the "People" box to view a list of permissions (Can view, Can edit, Can comment), then choose an option.
• Click Advanced at the bottom-right corner of the Sharing window to see more options, and make changes as needed.
• Click Send to send a link to the document.

Exit the document when you’re done. Click the blue sheet of paper icon at the top-left corner of the page to return to the document list. This will bring you back to all of your Google Docs, so you can open an existing one or create a new one. [10] X Research source

Edit the document in the future. When you want to work on the document, just return to https://docs.google.com, then click the document's name in the file list. [11] X Research source

Using a Phone or Tablet

• If you don't have a Google/Gmail account, you'll need to create one before you can access Google Docs.

Open Google Docs. It's the blue sheet of paper icon (labeled "Docs") typically found on the home screen (iPhone/iPad) or in the app drawer (Android). Tap on the app to open it up. [13] X Research source

• If you'd prefer to use a template, tap Choose template to open the template browser, then tap a template to create a document with that format.
• Now you’ve created your Doc! From here, you can edit, rename, and share your document.

• To adjust paragraph alignment and/or line spacing, double-tap the location where you want the change to begin, tap the Format icon (the A with multiple lines), select Paragraph, and then choose your options.
• To switch to landscape mode, click on the 3 dots in the upper right corner, then hit “Page Setup.” From here, you can choose “Landscape” or “Portrait.”
• To change the look of your text, double-tap some text to bring up the blue markers, then drag them to select the text you want to edit. Tap the Format icon (the A with multiple lines), select Text, and then choose your desired options.
• You can insert images, headers, footers, tables, page numbers, and more when you're in Print Mode. [17] X Research source To turn on Print Mode, tap the three dots at the top-right corner, then slide the "Print layout" option to On. Then, tap the pencil at the bottom-right corner to return to the editor, tap the + to open the insert menu, then select the item you want to insert.

• Tap the Share button (a person with a "+") at the top to open the "Share screen.
• Type the email address of someone you want to share with into the "People" field.
• Tap the pencil icon to the right of the "People" box to view a list of permissions (View, Edit, Comment), then choose an option.
• Tap the Send icon (a paper airplane) at the top-right corner to email the document link.

• You can also hit the home button on your phone to close the entire app.

Edit the document in the future. When you want to work on the document, just launch the Google Docs app and tap the document's title in the file list. To make changes, tap the pencil icon at the bottom-right corner to enter editing mode. [20] X Research source

Making a Google Doc from a Word File

• If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to make one before uploading your Word Document.

Click New . Up in the left hand corner, click on the button that says New with a plus sign next to it. This will open up a drop down menu. [21] X Research source

• You can also upload entire folders to save them from your computer onto your Google Drive.

Open the Word Document saved on your computer. Select the Word Document that you’d like to open up by double clicking it. [23] X Research source

• You can now edit, share, and rename your Google Doc just like you normally would.

Forcing Users to Make a Copy of a Google Doc

• You might use this if you’re sending out a worksheet to your students, or paperwork to multiple employees.

Click Change to anyone with the link . At the bottom of the popup box, click on the last line of dialogue. This will open up a new box.

Step 5 Copy the link and paste it somewhere else." width="460" height="346" />

• You can also paste it in a URL box at the top of a web browser.

Replace “edit” with “copy” at the end of the link. Scroll to the very end of the link where you see the word “edit.” Delete the word “edit,” then type “copy,” being careful not to change any other part of the URL. [27] X Research source

Send the modified link to your recipient. This link will now automatically open up a dialogue box that asks the recipient if they want to make a copy. You can send this out to as many people as you need to so they can all have copies of your document. [28] X Research source

Making a PDF from a Google Doc

Open up the Google Doc. From your Google Drive, select the document that you’d like to save as a PDF.

• This is also how you can print a Google Doc straight from your computer.

Select “Save as PDF” as the destination. Next to “Destination,” click the dropdown box to view your options. Hit “Save as PDF.” [30] X Research source

Click Save . This will save the document to your computer as a PDF under the same name that it has on Google Docs. [31] X Research source

Community Q&A

You can either press Enter until your cursor goes to a second page, or press Ctrl - Enter to force a page break and start a new one.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

Under the Title at the top it says file, edit, view and insert. All you have to do it press insert and you go to the first one and it says image. Click on that and you will see the very first one is upload from computer––press that and you will see a little screen pop up. Make sure you have it on all files instead of images and select the file you want. Press open and you will have your file uploaded.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

All you have to do it when you get your blank document press Untitled Document and It will highlight the words and all you have to do is press delete and type in what you want it to be named.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

Don’t worry about saving your Google Doc! It will save for you automatically every time you make a change.

If you’re using Google Docs offline (without WiFi or an internet connection), it won’t save automatically until you reconnect to the internet.

You Might Also Like

4 Easy Ways to Download and Save Google Docs

How to Make a Google Spreadsheet: Beginners Guide

How to Alphabetize in Google Docs: 4 Simple Methods

9 Easy Steps to Flip an Image in Google Docs

a Google Doc" width="342" height="184" />

3 Simple Ways to Make a Signup Form on Google Docs

a Google Doc" width="342" height="184" />

How to Use Google Sheets: The Ultimate Guide for Getting Started

a Google Doc to a PDF on iPhone or iPad" width="342" height="184" />

2 Easy Ways to Move Images in Google Docs in 2 Ways

1. ↑https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/googlespreadsheets/creating-google-docs/1/
2. ↑https://www.google.com/docs/about/
3. ↑https://www.google.com/docs/about/
4. ↑https://www.google.com/docs/about/
5. ↑https://www.google.com/docs/about/
6. ↑https://www.google.com/docs/about/
7. ↑https://support.google.com/docs/answer/49114?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
8. ↑https://www.google.com/docs/about/
9. ↑https://www.google.com/docs/about/

1. ↑https://www.google.com/docs/about/
2. ↑https://www.google.com/docs/about/
3. ↑https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/googledocuments/using-google-docs-on-a-mobile-device/1/
4. ↑https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/googledocuments/using-google-docs-on-a-mobile-device/1/
5. ↑https://support.google.com/docs/answer/148833?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=1
6. ↑https://support.google.com/docs/answer/49114?co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS&hl=en&oco=1
7. ↑https://support.google.com/docs/answer/148833?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=1
8. ↑https://support.google.com/docs/answer/86629?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=1
9. ↑https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/googledocuments/using-google-docs-on-a-mobile-device/1/
10. ↑https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/googledocuments/using-google-docs-on-a-mobile-device/1/
11. ↑https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/googledocuments/using-google-docs-on-a-mobile-device/1/
12. ↑https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/google-docs
13. ↑https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/google-docs
14. ↑https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/convert-word-doc-to-google-doc
15. ↑https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/google-docs
16. ↑https://it-helpdesk.tetonscience.org/support/solutions/articles/5000730953-how-to-force-recipients-to-make-a-copy-of-a-google-document
17. ↑https://support.google.com/docs/thread/5761657?hl=en
18. ↑https://support.google.com/docs/thread/5761657?hl=en
19. ↑https://support.google.com/docs/thread/5761657?hl=en
20. ↑https://support.google.com/drive/thread/16205577?hl=en
21. ↑https://support.google.com/drive/thread/16205577?hl=en
22. ↑https://support.google.com/drive/thread/16205577?hl=en

About This Article

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Hannah Madden is a writer, editor, and artist currently living in Portland, Oregon. In 2018, she graduated from Portland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Studies. Hannah enjoys writing articles about conservation, sustainability, and eco-friendly products. When she isn’t writing, you can find Hannah working on hand embroidery projects and listening to music. This article has been viewed 76,035 times.

On a computer:
1. Sign into docs.google.com.
2. Click Blank or select a template.

On a phone or tablet:
1. Install Google Docs.
2. Open Google Docs.
3. Tap +.
4. Tap New document or select a template.

• Print
• Send fan mail to authors

Is this article up to date?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

4 Easy Ways to Download and Save Google Docs

How to Make a Google Spreadsheet: Beginners Guide

How to Alphabetize in Google Docs: 4 Simple Methods

9 Easy Steps to Flip an Image in Google Docs