Having a list of Google Docs hacks on hand is a surefire way to make life easier and earn you some bonus points around the office.
Remember Clippy, Microsoft Word’s baffled paper clip office assistant? Sure, his eager attempts at troubleshooting were often more annoying than helpful, but always well-intentioned. After all, everyone loves a good hack.
However, web-based word processors are the name of the game in 2018. We’ve compiled a list of the most basic shortcuts and hacks that will turn you into a better, real live version of Clippy – but only for Google Docs.
To create
1. Use templates
Hate looking at a blank page? Overcome the author barrier by perusing Google’s template gallery.
Everything from project proposals to schedules, invoices, calendars and business letters can be found in a variety of ready-made formats. If your marketing team regularly uses a particular form, you can create your own template and add it to the gallery for quick use.
2. Add to your font library
Most companies use custom post formats that are not always readily available in the dropdown font menu. You can add more by clicking the font menu and selecting “more fonts” and searching for what you’re looking for.
3. Set custom shortcuts
click Vehicles and then preferences to manage your style shortcuts.
For example, if you frequently use the copyright and trademark symbol, you can create a preferred shortcut for them.
You can also disable the feature that automatically capitalizes words; this is especially useful if you’re writing about companies or products with interesting spelling and punctuation.
4. Fine-tune the dictionary
In some industries, there is jargon that is not in the Google Docs dictionary. For those who are tired of seeing the dreaded red line under words or pressing “Ignore” too much while checking spelling, go to Tools, Personal Dictionary and add the words you want.
5. Check notification settings
Before your inbox fills up with Google Doc notifications from collaborators, click the comment bubble icon in the top-right corner, select Notifications, and change it to your liking.
6. Set privacy and sharing parameters
If you are working on sensitive or confidential material, you should double-check the privacy permissions on your file. Click Share in the top right, select Share with others, then click Advanced. From here you can control who can reshare, download, print, copy, edit or modify your file.
Composition
7. Use keyboard shortcuts
Shortcuts are a huge time saver and are plentiful in Google Docs. You can find all keyboard shortcuts in the Help menu drop-down menu or by using this handy shortcut: ⌘/.
Here is a short copy of our favourites:
⌘+B = Bold
⌘+I = Italic
⌘+U = Underlined
⌘+\ = Clear formatting
⌘+F = Find
⌘+K = Add hyperlink
⌘+Option+M= Add comment
Ctrl+Option+I = Open Insert menu
⌘+Shift+S = Start voice typing
⌘+Option+C = Copy formatting
⌘ + Option + Shift + h = Open revision history
⌘ + Option + Shift + I = Open Explore tool
Double click = select word
Three clicks = Select paragraph
8. Dictate your document
If you’re not in a position to type or have always dreamed of dictation (honestly, who didn’t?), you can enable voice typing here: Tools menuor using the shortcut ⌘+Shift+S.
Do not forget to give punctuation commands such as punctuation, new line, new paragraph.
9. Configure for Word
For those who use the Google Chrome browser and are more comfortable with Microsoft Word, you can install the Office Editing extension for Docs Pages and Slides. Once installed, make sure Office Compatibility Mode is enabled from. File menu.
10. Access your document offline
You can continue working on your Google Doc on the go or in a place with a weak internet connection. hungry Offline Sync option from Google Drive homepage Settings menu.
This option only works with Chrome and it’s a good idea to make sure you’re signed in to your Google account in the browser before going offline.
Also, your work won’t be automatically saved or synced until you’re back online, so ⌘S shortcut. (This saves an editable version of your file to your computer.)
11. Google your job search
One of the advantages of working with the Google suite is that you can search as you use it. If there’s a topic, term, or idea you’d like to learn more about, highlight it and click. To discover from Tools menuor ⌘ + Option + Shift + I shortcut to open Discover Tool. A sidebar will appear with web results for your query.
12. Add bookmarks
This Google Doc hack is especially useful when writing or collaborating on a long document with multiple sections. go Sting and choose Bookmark To add links to specific sections or pages within the document.
13. Use headings to outline
When creating your document, be sure to give each section a title and apply title formatting. To do this, Styles menu dropdown (next to fonts) and select Title 1 for the main headings, for the sub-headings progress in order.
go after that View > Show document outline to see your document sections in the left sidebar. This feature allows you to easily navigate and skip long documents.
Partnership
14. Notify someone of a change
One of the key features of Google Docs is the potential for collaboration. But things can get tricky if the document has too many anonymous animals or poor communication protocols.
To alert a collaborator about a comment you made, click a “+“then their to in the comment bubble. The person will receive an email informing them that you want them to be interested in a specific topic.
15. Find your collaborator in real time
If you’re collaborating with someone in real time, you can find your colleague’s cursor by clicking their photo or avatar in the upper right corner.
16. Review version history (and revert to an earlier version)
click File, Version Historyand See Version History To open a sidebar detailing recent document changes on the right. uncheck Show Changes below to see revisions without colored highlights.
If you want to revert to an earlier version of the document, simply click Restore this hotfix under the name of the provided editor. You can also give your version a name, for example Final Final Finalif you are very willing.
17. Identify who did the editing
If you’ve seen edits that deserve a gold star, criticism, or simple notes, you need to find out who made them. Under Version History, each editor is assigned a color that corresponds to the edits they make in the document. Click on the editor’s name to see their color edits in the document.
arrangement
18. See new changes at a glance
When you want to see only the most recent changes made to a document, click the link at the end of the menu bar that says “See new changes”, “All changes have been saved to Drive” or “Last edited on”. …”
19. Switch to suggestion mode
Sometimes just suggestions are needed. To switch from edit mode to suggestion mode, click the pencil icon in the upper right corner and to suggest. That way, collaborators can see and decide whether to approve your suggestions.
This feature works similarly to Microsoft Word’s Track Changes option.
Extras
20. Upgrade with addons
Depending on your needs it’s worth a quick look at the Google Doc Additions library. Simply click Additions and Get add-ons to have a look.
Some great options include Easy Accents, a tool that helps you add accents used in other languages. There is also an EasyBib plugin that helps you create bibliography citations, and an analysis tool that lets you analyze revision statistics.
21. Add an e-signature
Sign business letters with a custom e-signature. click Insert > Drawing and choose scribble line Option to draw your name with your mouse.
22. Add the right links
If you forgot to add hyperlinks to your entire document, here’s a quick trick. Highlight the word or phrase that needs the link, then click the link icon in the toolbar or use the shortcut ⌘K.
In the popup, Google will automatically suggest the links. click find more at the bottom for additional web, image and driver options.
23. Translate into other languages
As we all know, Google Translate has flaws so be careful here. But if you need to quickly translate something for a colleague or other internal purposes, click it. Tools > Translate Document. You will be prompted to choose a new name for the translated version and then you can choose your language.
24. Present your document
You can present your document in Google Hangouts Meetup. Simply click Show now and select your entire screen or a window to share with attendees. To finish the presentation stop serving.
25. Find your job easier
The more files you add to Google Drive, the more useful this Google hack becomes. From the Google Drive homepage, click the down arrow located to the right of the search bar. A menu will appear allowing you to narrow your search with filters for file types, owners, and date modified.
Finally, if there’s a document you need to access regularly, give it a gold star for quick access from the Google Drive Starred folder. To star a document, simply click the star icon right next to your document title.
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To start
