Google Docs is a powerful and flexible cloud-based app for creating and sharing word documents. Many of us are already familiar with this web application, but we may be hesitant to use it due to the risk of losing core features by moving to the cloud. But trust me when I say that Google Docs is a stable software with many wonderful features that many people are unaware of. Google Docs is appropriate for both professionals and students, as well as personal use. So you’ll need the confidence to make the transition from offline word processing software to cloud-based Google Docs, where you’ll be wowed by the abundance of powerful resources available to complete your productivity tasks.
Tips for Using Google Docs
We’ve put together a list of the best Google Docs tips and tricks to help you become a power user.
1. Have a Good Time When Writing – Voice Typing
Use Voice typing to compose as if you’re having a conversation with your audience. It’s much easier to speak about a subject than it is to write about it. Every major tech company is now putting a strong focus on artificial intelligence and voice command capabilities. Voice typing is available in Google Docs and will help you write more easily.
This functionality is only available if your laptop or Android smartphone has a built-in microphone. To make use of this function, go to Tools >> Voice typing. A voice typing box with a large microphone will appear. You can now begin typing by voice in almost any language. You can start recording by pressing Cmd + Shift + S (on a Mac) or Ctrl + Shift + S (on a PC).
2. Formatting of the Copied Document in a Clear Way
If you copy and paste documents from the web or elsewhere into Google Docs, they will not merge with the rest of your Google Apps documents unless you format them first. To format the copied documents, use either of these methods.
1.Right-click on the highlighted text and choose “Clear Format.”
2. After highlighting the text, go to format option on the top and choose Clear Format
3. Take a look at Google’s extensive and beautiful font collection.
Google Docs has a large selection of beautiful fonts that can be used for both technical and personal purposes. Select additional fonts from the fonts drop-down menu at the top of the text. Pick the font you like. However, go to the Google Fonts directory to see how different fonts are used in real-world situations, which will help you choose the right one.
4. Inside-Document Image Editing
Inside Google Docs, there are some simple image editing options. Cropping, resetting, adding a border to the image, and adjusting brightness, transparency, and contrast are all options.
5. Conduct a search and insert hyperlinks inside documents
The insert link button in the top menu bar can be used to link any word or sentence, but Google Docs has a special feature that allows you to scan content inline and insert a link. You don’t need to go somewhere else to insert the link; simply select the word and press Ctrl+K to get the desired link and insert it.
6. Save your documents as bookmarks so you don’t have to scroll as much.
This bookmarking function is beneficial and useful when creating long papers. Go to the Insert menu and select Bookmark to allow bookmarking in documents. On the left side of your folder, a blue bookmark icon will appear. You can create a table of contents at the top of your document by linking to a particular paragraph. When navigating long papers, this table of contents will appear to be useful.
7. Footnote
In Google Docs, adding a footnote is a breeze. To add footnotes, hold the cursor in the document’s text where you want the footnotes to appear, then go to Insert and pick Footnotes. Fill in the footnotes and save the document by clicking on it.
8. Using Suggestion Mode to Improve Documents
This is one of the most powerful tools available in Google Docs for sharing, collaborating, and editing documents. In suggestion mode, Google Docs will keep track of all changes and show an accept/reject button next to them.
This is a valuable and convenient method for creating collaborative documents in which everybody can contribute to the creation of perfect articles. Go to the right upper corner, click on the pencil-like editing tools, and choose suggestion mode.
9. Google Docs Real-Time Collaboration
Google Docs real-time communication Google Docs allows you to share the paper with other people. The document can be edited in real time by all users at the same time. If two people write the same text, Google Docs will pay close attention to the time stamp in order to save the most recent corrected edition. On the revision panel, another old version will remain.
Users may also collaborate on document editing and development with one another. All of this occurs in real time, and all users with access approval will see the changes immediately.
10. Use a comment to tag someone in order to get their attention.
Using the “@ or + symbol” and an email address in the comment box, you can attract the attention of any particular user. The owner of the email ID will receive an email notification when a comment or query is made inside Google Docs.
11. Make a document available on the internet
You can create and edit documents in Google Docs, as well as collaborate on them with others. Remember that the paper can only be viewed by you and those with access authority; it cannot be viewed by the general public. As a result, you must post your paper publicly in order for it to be viewed. To do so, pick “Publish to the web…” from the File menu in the top bar.
12.Shortcuts on the Keyboard
Google Docs has a plethora of handy keyboard shortcuts. As with the other application, several of them are very popular. You can paste with Cmd + C (Mac) or Ctrl + C (PC), and bold with Cmd + B (Mac) or Ctrl + B (PC), but it has a special shortcut that speeds up the process. Here are a few of them:
Create a new document by pressing Shift + T.
Insert a message by pressing Ctrl + Alt + M.
When writing in Google Docs, keep Cmd + / on a Mac and Shift + / or Ctrl + / Chrome OS or Windows to get the keyboard shortcut list. The complete list of Google Docs keyboard shortcut keys can be found here.
13. Google Docs spell-checking features
Google has integrated its intelligent spell checker into Google Docs, and it’s fantastic. This tool does not rely on a conventional dictionary; rather, it is based on Google’s search engine algorithm, which intelligently assists the user in locating spell mistakes.
The Google Docs spell check database is updated on a regular basis. Every day, it strengthens its database by learning a new word from Google’s artificially intelligent “What Do You Mean?” database and making recommendations based on meaning rather than just similarity. You can check all of the errors by going to the Tools menu at the top bar and selecting “Spelling…”.
14. Modify the Page Setup
Changing the page layout in Google Docs is simple and straightforward. You can adjust the page colour, margin, and orientation using the page setup settings. You can use these resources by going to file and selecting page configuration from the top menu bar.
15. Keep track of your own dictionary
In terms of operation, the personal dictionary and automatic substitution are very similar. When you write any names or unusual phrases, Google Docs highlights them with a red underline. You can manually add these words to your personal dictionary by right-clicking on them and selecting “add to personal dictionary” or by right-clicking on them and selecting “add to personal dictionary.
16. Use Google Docs in Offline Mode
An internet connection is not needed in order to use Google Docs. However, the data link was needed during the initial setup when adjusting the setting to use Google Docs in offline mode. Follow the steps below to allow offline mode.
Tap the Gear Icon in the upper-right corner of Google Drive to open it >> “Sync Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings files to this computer” is checked in the Offline section so you can edit offline
When using an internet data link, you can build and edit all Google docs, sheets, and drawings offline, and all documents will be synchronized into the Google Drive cloud.
17. Substitute Your Own Ingredients
You can make substitutions, which will save you a lot of time when writing. Google Docs generates a list of auto substitutions, which you can customise as required. Make a shift in your requirement by going to Tools and Preferences.
18. Right-click on Definition and Research
Right-click any word and pick meaning or research; a box will appear on the right side with all the details regarding that particular word. We can remain on the documents when looking for more details thanks to this concept and analysis tools.
It will search photos, tables, quotations, scholars, and basically anything from the Google search engine. We can also drag and drop photos from this research box into Google Docs.
19. Send a document to a different user for more feedback
Since not everyone has a Google account or access to Gmail, how can you post the document and get good feedback? Yes, it is possible to send the entire file as an attachment via email. You can submit the file in a variety of formats, including Docx, PDF, plain text, and so on. These resources can be found at the top of the document in the File drop-down menu.
20. Save a Document as a PDF, Word Doc, or Other Format
After you’ve finished your paper, instead of sending it to anyone as an editable document, you can submit it as a PDF copy or a Docx file. You’ll be able to export your final copy into as many as seven different formats: Microsoft Word (.docx), OpenDocument Format (.odt), Rich Text Format (.rtf), Plain Text (.txt), Web Page (.html, zipped), PDF document (.pdf), and EPUB publication are all examples of document formats (.epub). Select the “Download as” option from the file menu bar.
21. How to Use Google Docs’ Apps Script
Google Apps Script aids in streamlining the workflow of Google Docs documents. It allows you to build or edit documents, customise the Google Docs user interface, and organise essential resources for quick access. However, before doing something about the app script, it’s a good idea to brush up on your java skills, and Google recommends that you take a free course and follow a set of guidelines to get the most out of the Google Docs app script.
22. Write the documents in any language you like.
You are not restricted to creating documents in English while using Google Docs; you can create documents in any language. To change the default language, go to the File menu in the top drop-down menu and choose the language you like. All of the languages are listed alphabetically in English.
23. In any language, translate the entire document
You can literally translate the text into any language. There are several languages to choose from, but Google Translate isn’t flawless when it comes to translation. So don’t depend solely on it, but it will undoubtedly assist you in reading any document written in another language.
24. Revision History
Don’t be concerned about losing any data during the editing process. You can quickly get an older version of your documents by going to File >> See Revision History. All previous versions of the appropriate document can be found here. If you select an earlier version, the selected version will simply rise to the top of the list without losing any data. Continually You may obtain any version and examine the highlighted text to see the changes made.
25. A plethora of eye-catching templates
Google Docs has a number of amazing templates that can be used to create a résumé, a business plan, meeting notes, or a brochure for any organisation. You can literally find any design you need to complete any task for both business and personal use. Many of the models can be found on the Google Docs home page. So take a look at these and see which one suits you best.
26. Using Add-ons to Extend the Functionality of Google Docs
The Google Docs repository or store has a number of useful add-ons. Add-ons can be found by going to the Google Docs top drop-down menu and choosing Get Add-ons. Many of these add-ons are used to enhance the accessibility and productivity of Google Docs. It’s similar to software on an Android phone, which are used to improve the functionality and effectiveness of our Android framework. Similarly, add-ons for Google Docs do a lot of things that the main features can’t.
Final Thoughts
This is a compiled list of all the best Google Docs tips and tricks to help you become a power user. Did any of them appeal to you? Or do you have any other suggestions? Please feel free to leave a comment with your thoughts and suggestions.
We’ll be able to extend our list of best Google Docs tips and tricks if you share your thoughts. If you enjoyed this list, please save it for future reference and share it with your friends and family by clicking the social share button
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