Using Google Docs to create and edit documents online

Nowadays, there is no escape from cloud storage, which can be a good thing, as it guarantees perpetual access to all of your most important files. Here, we will teach you how to use Google Docs, Google's virtual platform for writing documents.

Keep reading to know everything about it and know how to use it!

1. What is Docs?

A word processor that is part of Google's web-based office suite, Google Drive is one of the best options for those who want to write texts that will always be stored in the cloud. The offered storage is 15 GB, shared with several other services, such as Google Drive, Google Photos and Google Keep.

Google Docs is available for use on a variety of platforms, including a web version for internet browsers, an Android version, an iPhone version, as well as an app for ChromeOS.

It offers many different features that make it one of the best options for creating and editing documents, many of which are also present in Google Drive. For example, it has a version history, colors for each of the editors and much more.

Google acquired the platform in 2009, which was originally owned by Upstartle. Then, in 2010, it acquired DocVerse, which expanded the features offered, and in 2012 it acquired Quickoffice, which solidified Google Drive (and Google Docs).

2. How to use Google Docs?

Now that you know a little about the platform, we will teach you in depth how to use Google Docs to create and edit documents online, directly from your browser.

First, you need to go to the official page of the tool and log in to your Google account. Then you will be redirected to the platform's home screen, where you will have access to many features:

• Menu: On the left side of the screen, at the top, is the menu, where you access the other Google Office tools and settings, where you can change the language, show recent models, show the viewing history and enable offline mode. line;
• Search: In the search, it is possible to find all the files that are in any of Google's Office tools;
• Template gallery: In the middle of the screen is Template gallery, where it is possible to create new documents from some pre-defined templates. Clicking the Template gallery, you’ll see a wide list of options you can use to create documents in Google Docs;
• Documents already created: Below is the list of all your existing documents in Docs, in order of most recently opened. You can change to see only documents that belong to you, that belong to others, or both;
• Preview mode: It is possible to change the display mode between grid or list. The default is the list;
• Sorting mode: It is possible to change the sorting mode. The default is “Last time I opened it”, but you can change it to the last time modified by you, by others, or in alphabetical order;
• File picker: Finally, in the file selector it is possible to explore the files of the platform in a more organized way;
• Document options: Next to each document there are three dots that, when clicked, you can rename it, delete it, open it in a new tab or make it available offline.

Knowing how to use Google Docs involves knowing how to create a new document. There are two ways to do this: you can click on the new file template (or "In blank") or click the "More" in the bottom right corner of the screen.

With that, a new document will have been created. To change your title, simply click in the “Untitled document”, in the upper left corner of the screen and type whatever you want.

Write whatever you want to create your document and remember to use all the features offered. Too many!

A great benefit of knowing how to use Google Docs is the fact that it automatically saves what you are writing online, every few words, so that you don't have to worry about always saving what you are writing.

To make sure everything is saved, look for the Drive icon next to the title and click on it. If the phrase appears “All changes have been saved to Drive”, it will mean that everything is right.

Another of the best features of Google Docs is the possibility to share all files with anyone. To do this, just click on the "To share" in the upper right corner of the screen and enter the e-mails of those who want to send in the field.

Change the recipients' permissions next to each email, being able to select whether it is "Editor", "Commentator" or "Reader". In addition, you can click "Copy link" to send your document directly, without needing their email.

So, did you like our guide on how to use Google Docs?

Leave in the comments if you already knew about the platform and if you have used it in the past or if you intend to start using it now. Also, check out how to use Google Drive for business and get to know Google Scholar and Google Translate!