Google Docs, as you know is a free, web-based word processing and document management web app.
For this quick guide, you’ll learn how to create a Google Doc.
I’m just gonna assume that you’re a complete beginner to Google Docs. (So we’ll start from scratch).
Create A Google Doc (Get Started)
Go to docs.google.com and sign in.
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-SignIn](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
Next, click on the “+” Button at the top left.
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-New](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
That takes you to a new blank page.
Cool, is there a shortcut for this?
@Reader
Type new.doc in your address bar OR,
You can also bookmark docs.google.com/create.
This will automatically open a fresh Google Doc if you are already signed in. (Huge Time Saver).
Basic Document Setup
To add a Title, just go to the Toolbar.
Click “Normal Text” and switch it to “Title“.
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-ApplyTitle](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
Start typing and you’re already writing your title.
Give your document a name by clicking on the “Untitled document“ text in the top left corner of the page.
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-ChangeName](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
Now let’s get to writing the content.
The toolbar has all the usual formatting options, like Bold, Underline, Strikethrough, Italic … so on.
Also let’s hide the left sidebar quickly.
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-HideSidebar](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
You can also add double spacing to your text.
What about adding images?
@Reader
Adding Images And Other Media (Like Gifs)
Go to “Insert” > “Image“.
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-UploadFromComputer](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
You can upload from your computer, web, and more …
Sharing And Collaborating In Google Docs
Click on the “Share“ button.
(In the top right corner of the page).
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-Share](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
On the next popup, change from “Restricted“ to “Anyone with the link“. (This will make the page public).
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-AnyoneWithTheLink](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
This will allow anyone to view your document.
Only view?
@Reader
You can change that if you like.
To “Commenter“ or “Editor“.
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-ChangeRole](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
You can also enter a specific email address to limit access to only that person.
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-AssignEmail](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
You can also assign roles here …
![Productivity-CreateaGoogleDoc-AssignEmailRole](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHdpZHRoPSIyNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MDAiIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNDAwIDE1MDAiPjxyZWN0IHdpZHRoPSIxMDAlIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMCUiIHN0eWxlPSJmaWxsOiNmZmZmZmY7ZmlsbC1vcGFjaXR5OiAwLjE7Ii8+PC9zdmc+)
It’s a breeze.
More Tips
•••
Use the Revision History feature to track changes made to your document.
You can start with pre-designed templates for various document types.
Learn shortcuts, use voice typing, search and replace, and outline view.
This guide walked you through the basics of how to Create a Google Doc, from setting up a new document to sharing and collaborating with others.