Benefits of Google Docs: the 6 best

There are many different options in the text editor market, many of which are also cloud-based. In this article, we’ll cover the biggest benefits of Google Docs.

Read on to find out everything about the platform and what it brings you good and useful.

What is Google Docs?

If you're in this article, chances are you don't know much about this Google platform. So, in that first moment, we will explain what it is!

Google Docs is a word processor that is part of the Google web-based office suite and has many benefits for its users. It is one of the best options for those who want to write texts that will be forever stored in the cloud (unless you delete them).

It offers 15 GB of free cloud storage, which is shared with several of the company's other amazing tools, such as Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Keep and Gmail.

It is available for you to use on many major platforms, including a version for the best internet browsers, one for Android smartphones, one for iPhone and an app for ChromeOS.

Google acquired the service in 2009, originally from Upstartle. In 2010, shortly afterwards, it acquired DocVerse, further expanding the functionalities offered and, in 2012, it acquired Quickoffice, thus solidifying Google Docs.

What are the benefits of Google Docs?

Now that you have some knowledge about Google's text editing platform, we will address the main advantages found there.

1. Real-time collaboration

One of the biggest benefits of Google Docs, which serves to attract many users, is the fact that it allows you to create collaborative files, which can be edited simultaneously by users who have the necessary level of access, thus avoiding having to be bossing around email the file for others to work on.

Updates and edits made by each user will be shown in real time in the file, differentiating each user by a color and a name (including anonymous ones).

Within Google Docs, you even find a chat system that facilitates communication with others who are also editing and viewing the file.

2. Permission adjustments

In Docs, just like Google Drive, you can adjust permissions, which is another major benefit found in Google Docs. With these settings, you can refine who can view and edit files.

It is possible to make everyone in your company, for example, see the file, but only a small group can edit the included texts. It is also possible to make the document public, so that anyone can see it.

3. Easy access

Another great advantage of Google Docs is the ease of access found in it. Using this tool to store all your documents, you will have access to ales from your mobile device, without having to go to the office to edit.

In addition, if you prefer you can still work on your personal computer, since everything is in the cloud, using only your login.

As it is very easy to use, anyone, regardless of their technical skills, can learn to manage the files and folders they store here.

4. Version control

One of the benefits offered by Google Docs, which is certainly very useful for everyone who works with text files, is version control.

With it, you will have more security about the integrity of your projects, since any changes made will be stored for 30 days in the history. That is, if you need to go back, you will not need to have several files saved (one for each version. One is enough!

5. Shortcut keys

Also found in more traditional text editors, shortcut keys are also present in Google Docs and are one of its biggest benefits. With them, you can perform many features directly from the keyboard, making the job easier.

• Ctrl + C: With this combination, you can copy the selected excerpt;
• Ctrl + V: With this, you will paste what is copied in the place you want;
• Ctrl + Shift + C: Use this shortcut to count the number of words and characters;
• Ctrl + Alt + C: Use this to copy the formatting of the selected section;
• Ctrl + Alt + V: With this, paste the formatting;
• Ctrl + Enter: Insert a page break;

There are many other shortcuts that you can use. Check them out by following the link!

6. Offline synchronization

It may seem strange that this is among the benefits of Google Docs, but it is certainly very useful. You can allow offline synchronization of all your files so you can access them without internet, whether you are traveling, your data plan is over or you simply want to save money.

When the internet returns, the edits made will be updated in the cloud automatically, so you always have everything up to date. To do this, just go to "Settings" and activate the option “Offline synchronization”.

So, did you like our article in which we explained the biggest benefits of Google Docs?

Leave in the comments if you already knew them all and let us know if you think we forgot any great advantage that Google Docs brings. Don't forget to also check out Google Scholar for university searches and get to know Google's calendar, Google Calendar.