# Google Docs Information on How to Use Google Docs # How to use Google Docs Google Docs is an online word processor that lets you create and format documents and work with other people. [See our top five tips for Google Docs.](https://gsuite.google.com/learning-center/products/docs/cheat-sheet/?utm_source=hc-docs&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lc-hc&utm_content=6000292-article-2018-02) ## Step 1: Create a document To create a new document: 1. On your computer, open the Docs home screen at [docs.google.com](https://docs.google.com/document/). 2. In the top left, under "Start a new document," click **New**. You can also create new documents from the URL [docs.google.com/create.](https://docs.google.com/create) ## Step 2: Edit and format To edit a document: 1. On your computer, open a document in [Google Docs](https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/). 2. To select a word, double-click it or use your cursor to select the text you want to change. 3. Start editing. 4. To undo or redo an action, at the top, click Undo or Redo . Note: To edit a document on a touchscreen device, like a Pixel Book, double-tap the document to start typing. You can add and edit text, paragraphs, spacing, and more in a document. - [Format paragraphs or font](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/1663349) - [Add a title, heading, or table of contents](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/116338) ## Step 3: Share & work with others You can [share files and folders](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/2494822) with people and choose whether they can view, edit, or comment on them. # Docs cheat sheet #### 1. Edit and add styles to your text. ![" "](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Uy1BBioRgZ6-qvgnOK0PvNZRCHsZ5kWcugPzmd4KkTl_jO71vaHA6hkizz_e-kzJlQ=w720 "" "") ![Formatting text options, such as alignment and indentation](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cA-OYgFMeKk4rK3xdMYk9D1fAMH_a3Hio8_mhqceugI9u2aEX8uCQYpf3hKgt9UbLLY=w895 "Formatting text options, such as alignment and indentation") #### 2. Work with different versions and copies of your document. ![" "](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Uy1BBioRgZ6-qvgnOK0PvNZRCHsZ5kWcugPzmd4KkTl_jO71vaHA6hkizz_e-kzJlQ=w720 "" "") **Make a copy:** Create a duplicate of your document. **Download as:** Download your document in other formats, such as Microsoft® Word® or Adobe® PDF. **Email as attachment**: Send a copy of the document to people. You can change the format. **Version history:** See all the changes you and others have made to the document or revert to earlier versions. **Publish to the web:** Publish a copy of your document as a webpage, or embed your document in a website. ![Click "File" for options to work with different versions](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sst76vxQa8-oH41J6s9tzxaAkYrrPDGeVV7ZkOnk--Dp9ylhqzFOabkpUzc9MDwkkY8=w360 "Click "File" for options to work with different versions") #### 3. Enhance your document by adding features. ![" "](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Uy1BBioRgZ6-qvgnOK0PvNZRCHsZ5kWcugPzmd4KkTl_jO71vaHA6hkizz_e-kzJlQ=w720 "" "") **Image:** Insert an image from your computer, the web, Drive, and more. **Table:** Select the number of columns and rows to create a table. **Drawing:** Create pictures, flowcharts, diagrams, and more. **Link:** Add a link to a webpage or a header or bookmark in your document. **Chart**: Add different types of charts, or add a chart from Sheets. **Bookmark:** Add shortcuts to specific places within your document. **Table of contents:** Create an autogenerated table of contents that links to each heading (where you’ve applied heading styles). ![Insert items using the menu](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cDObcUYBqZh5srP70Z5Y_2Fyz7yNpsTYprVzufgRlCjIRMKwc_k_yV55M-9z9JGLFzQ=w360 "Insert items using the menu") #### 4. Click Share to share your document and then choose what collaborators can do. They’ll also receive an email notification. ![" "](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Uy1BBioRgZ6-qvgnOK0PvNZRCHsZ5kWcugPzmd4KkTl_jO71vaHA6hkizz_e-kzJlQ=w720 "" "")
Share or unshareEdit content directlySuggest editsAdd comments
**Can edit****✔****✔****✔****✔**
**Can comment** **✔****✔**
**Can view**
#### 5. Collaborate with your team in real time.![" "](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Uy1BBioRgZ6-qvgnOK0PvNZRCHsZ5kWcugPzmd4KkTl_jO71vaHA6hkizz_e-kzJlQ=w720 "" "") ![Find collaboration features](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nm92yuBR2K145O4D9bYoQpz5ICmjytw37GE8eQoIfgBL2AmjYFTXiKj49bAelGb7ltCm=w895 "Find collaboration features") # Change page setup of a Google Doc 1. On your computer, open a document in [Google Docs](https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/). 2. In the toolbar, click **File** ![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QbWcYKta5vh_4-OgUeFmK-JOB0YgLLoGh69P478nE6mKdfpWQniiBabjF7FVoCVXI0g=h18 "and then") **Page setup**. 3. Go to the setting you want to change: - Orientation - Paper size - Page color - Margins 4. Make your changes. 5. Click **OK**. 6. Optional: To make new documents open with the settings you chose, click **Set as default.** # Switching to Docs from Microsoft Word
In Word...In Docs...
Share your document using Microsoft® SharePoint® or OneDrive®
Share your document from Docs
> 1. From a document, click **Share**. > 2. Under People, enter the email address of the person or group you want to share with. > 3. Click Edit ![Edit](https://lh3.ggpht.com/-xujKpwhmzZcDSmXNewBe_6-oam__hvkMLO72Ej0PFQUghHxGj7xOtpy4AtLIvjnh3Kn=w18-h18 "Edit") and choose the access level. > 4. Click **Send**. For more details, see [Get started with Docs](https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9305987#3.1). #### Share your document with Word users > 1. From a document, click **File** > **Email as attachment**. > 2. Under Attach as, choose the format (Word, PDF, etc.). > 3. Enter the email address, subject, and message. > 4. Click **Send**. For more details, see [Work with Microsoft Office files](https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9308757).
Collaborate in real-time in Word Online
Collaborate in real-time in Docs
When you share a document, depending on their access, collaborators can edit documents, add comments, and assign tasks.
> 1. Select the text you want to comment on. > 2. Click Add comment ![Add comment](https://storage.googleapis.com/support-kms-prod/co3mQJ3Y0LFo463OqrweH9NhQYKF4ISmAqTB "Add comment"). > 3. To assign a comment to someone, enter + and the person’s email. > 4. Enter your comment, then click **Comment**.
Access version history in SharePoint or OneDrive
Access version history in Docs
> 1. Select **File**![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QbWcYKta5vh_4-OgUeFmK-JOB0YgLLoGh69P478nE6mKdfpWQniiBabjF7FVoCVXI0g=h18 "and then")**Version history**![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QbWcYKta5vh_4-OgUeFmK-JOB0YgLLoGh69P478nE6mKdfpWQniiBabjF7FVoCVXI0g=h18 "and then")**See version history**. > 2. Click a time stamp to see a previous version of the file. > 3. (Optional) Do any of the following: > - To make a previous version the active version, at the top, click **Restore this version**. > > - To name a previous version, click More ![More](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oLoRPrHJd7m46sWijX6zBWnEnfslP62AxJSwt5Nj0bNbpaYHz2pyscExleiofsH2kQ=h18 "More")![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QbWcYKta5vh_4-OgUeFmK-JOB0YgLLoGh69P478nE6mKdfpWQniiBabjF7FVoCVXI0g=h18 "and then")**Name this version**. > > - To make a copy of a previous version, click More ![More](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oLoRPrHJd7m46sWijX6zBWnEnfslP62AxJSwt5Nj0bNbpaYHz2pyscExleiofsH2kQ=h18 "More")![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QbWcYKta5vh_4-OgUeFmK-JOB0YgLLoGh69P478nE6mKdfpWQniiBabjF7FVoCVXI0g=h18 "and then")**Make a copy**. For more details, read [See changes to your Drive files and folders](https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9308986).
Track changes in a document
Make suggestions and comments
#### Make suggestions in a document
#### Add and assign comments in a document > 1. In [Docs](https://docs.google.com/), [Sheets](https://sheets.google.com/), or [Slides](https://slides.google.com/), select the text you'd like to comment on. > 2. Click Add comment ![Add comment](https://storage.googleapis.com/support-kms-prod/co3mQJ3Y0LFo463OqrweH9NhQYKF4ISmAqTB "Add comment"). > 3. Enter your comment in the box. > 4. (Optional) To direct your task or comment to a specific person, enter a plus sign (+) followed by their email address. You can add as many people as you want. Each person will get an email with your comment and a link to the file. > 5. (Optional) To assign the comment to a specific person, check the **Assign to** box. > 6. Click **Comment** or **Assign**.
Open a Word document
Open a Word document
> 1. In [Drive](https://drive.google.com/), double-click a Word file. A preview of your file opens. > 2. At the top, click **Open with Google Docs**. Any changes you make are saved to the original Microsoft Office file. For more details, see [Work with Microsoft Office files](https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9308757).
Access a document offline in OneDrive
Access a document offline in Drive
> 1. Install the [Google Docs Offline extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-docs-offline/ghbmnnjooekpmoecnnnilnnbdlolhkhi). > 2. In [Drive](https://drive.google.com/), click Settings ![Settings](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iPVwcPPdyXeS5VkGzh2cBKA4iY8nPKVC6WQFZzVL02SBQhLTDfvGb3ozlBhKkZwcPzo=w18 "Settings")![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QbWcYKta5vh_4-OgUeFmK-JOB0YgLLoGh69P478nE6mKdfpWQniiBabjF7FVoCVXI0g=h18 "and then")**Settings**. > 3. In the Offline section, check the **Create, open and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline** box. > 4. Click **Done**. > 5. Right-click a file and turn on **Available offline**. To learn how to access files offline from your desktop or mobile, see [Access stored Drive files without the internet](https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9308619?ref_topic=9326428).
Save a document automatically in SharePoint or OneDrive or turn on AutoRecover
Save a document automatically in Drive
Insert pictures in your document
Add images to your document
You can drag and drop images from your computer into your document. Or, click **Insert**![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QbWcYKta5vh_4-OgUeFmK-JOB0YgLLoGh69P478nE6mKdfpWQniiBabjF7FVoCVXI0g=h18 "and then")**Image** and choose an image from Google Drive, Google Photos, the web, and more. For more details, see [Add and edit images](https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9308621).
Add an Excel chart to your document
Add a Sheets chart to your document
> 1. In [Sheets](https://sheets.google.com/), select the chart you want to copy. > 2. At the top right, click More ![More](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oLoRPrHJd7m46sWijX6zBWnEnfslP62AxJSwt5Nj0bNbpaYHz2pyscExleiofsH2kQ=h18 "More")![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QbWcYKta5vh_4-OgUeFmK-JOB0YgLLoGh69P478nE6mKdfpWQniiBabjF7FVoCVXI0g=h18 "and then")**Copy chart**. > 3. In [Docs](https://docs.google.com/), right-click![and then](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QbWcYKta5vh_4-OgUeFmK-JOB0YgLLoGh69P478nE6mKdfpWQniiBabjF7FVoCVXI0g=h18 "and then")**Paste**. > 4. Click Paste. For more details, see [Insert and edit charts](https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9308981).