Google Docs is an online word processor that lets you create and format documents and work with other people. This page provides information on using some of the basic features of Google Docs. You can also access a printable handout below.
Start by logging into Google Drive. Click New, and then Google Docs. Click “Untitled document” in the top left to change the name of your document to something relevant.
Paragraphs are usually aligned at the left margin, while titles are centered. To change alignment of selected text, highlight the text you want to change, then click the desired alignment icon on the toolbar.
To change spacing between lines of selected text, highlight the text you want to change, then click the line spacing icon on the toolbar. Available options are single, 1.15, 1.5, or double spacing. The Format tab at the top also gives options for line and paragraph spacing. Double spacing is usually standard for college papers.
Margins can be changed by clicking the File tab at the top, and then clicking Page setup. Margins can then be adjusted in the box that pops up. 1” margins are usually standard for college papers.
Change the font and the font size of selected text using the options on the toolbar. Bold, italics, underline, and text color are also formatting options available on the toolbar. The Format tab at the top also gives options for text formatting. 12-point Times New Roman is usually recommended for college papers.
Insert an image by first placing your cursor in the desired location within your text, then clicking on the Insert image icon on the toolbar. You will be given a list of options from which to select an image. When you’ve found an image, click Select and it will be inserted into your document. The Insert tab at the top also gives options for inserting images.
Add a checklist, bulleted, or numbered list by clicking the appropriate icon from the toolbar. Formatting options can be selected by clicking the arrow next to the list choice.
Insert a header or footer by clicking the Insert tab at the top, then Header or Footer from the menu. Insert a page number by clicking the Insert tab at the top, then Page numbers. There are several options to choose from for location and style of page numbers.
Select the text that you want to add a link to, then click on the hyperlink icon from the toolbar. Copy and paste the URL of the web site that you want to link to, then click Apply.
To insert a table into your doc, click on the Insert tab at the top, then select Table. Click to select the desired number of rows and columns.
If you make a mistake, you either undo (or redo) the last change made my clicking the undo (or redo) arrow on the toolbar.
As you type, spelling errors will be underscored with a red squiggly line. To make a correction, right click on the underlined word, review the suggested corrections, and click to select the desired replacement. To access the full spelling and grammar check tool, click the Tools tab at the top, and then select Spelling and grammar.
Google Docs offers many alternate file types for saving (such as MS Word document or PDF). To save in another file format, click the File tab at the top, then Download, then click to select the desired format. The file should then download automatically.
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