Get the Most Out of Google Docs: 8 Tips for Better Work

With almost 25 million worldwide users, Google Docs is one of the most reliable and widely used applications of the Google Workspace ecosystem. Thanks to its clean user interface and simplicity, most users (including us) are huge fans of Google Docs.

The best thing about this application is that it doesn’t try to be anything fancy. Its beauty lies in its simplicity and ease of usage – all you need to do is open it and start typing.

However, this doesn’t mean that Google Docs is short on features. In fact, it offers a large variety of features that can help you write engaging content quickly, add multiple images, share it with other people, and do a lot more.

In this blog post, we will walk you through 8 fantastic Google Docs tips that will help you maximize your efficiency, increase the appearance of your documents, and work more effectively. If you are a Google Docs user, or thinking about jumping in, you don’t want to miss this post.

1. Enhance Your Documents with Different Fonts

Arial is the go-to font for most Google Docs users. It is the application’s default font. However, Google Docs also has multiple fonts that you can use to enhance the look and appeal of your documents.

Changing fonts used to be a massive issue with the older versions of the application. However, that is no longer a problem you should worry about. If you’re bored with Ariel or want to try something new, Google Docs has a variety of attractive fonts that you can use.

For accessing different fonts, all you need to do is go to the Google Docs toolbar and click on the front dropdown menu. Then click on the Show > All Fonts option to display the list of available fonts and then take your pick. You can also change the color and size of your fonts for greater variety and control. 

2. Give Your Fingers a Break with Google Docs Voice Typing Feature

If you have been typing for hours and your fingers are beginning to ache, try out Google Docs’s voice typing feature. While not everyone is comfortable dictating their work, you can definitely try it out and see if it works for you.

For dictating documents on Google Docs, click on the Ctrl+Shift+S keys if you are on Windows. On the other hand, if you are using macOS, click on Cmd+Shift+S Keys. Alternatively, you can go to the Tools menu and select the Voice Typing feature to get started.

As soon as you click on any of the above options, a microphone symbol will appear on the screen. Click on it and begin speaking. If you want to turn off Voice Typing, simply click on the microphone icon again, and you’re done.

Voice Typing offers a lot of convenience and helps you carry on with your work even when you are too tired to type. The Voice Typing feature also works in Google Sheets.

3. Find Images within Minutes

One of the best ways to enhance the appeal of your content is by adding images to it. However, finding copyright-free images that are licensed for reuse can be difficult and time-consuming.

Fortunately, Google Docs makes this easy. Yes, if you don’t already know, Google Docs comes with its own powerful image finder that helps you find licensed images quickly.

Simply go to the Explore option at the bottom right corner of your screen. Click on it and a menu with a search bar will appear on the screen. Now, simply search for the images relevant to your content. All the images that will come up will be licensed for commercial reuse. Easy and quick, right?

4. Edit Like an Expert

Google Docs also offers extensive editing features to ensure that the final draft of your document is nothing short of perfect.

You can begin the editing process by checking the spelling and grammar in your text. For this, Google Docs has its own machine learning-based spelling and grammar checker.

To check the spelling and grammar of a Google Docs file, go to the Tools option and click on Spelling and Grammar > Spelling and Grammar Check. This will display a variety of suggestions and you can accept the ones that you deem fit.

5. Easily Scroll Lengthy Documents with Bookmarks

Another fantastic feature of Google Docs that can make your work easier is the ability to add Bookmarks. If you are navigating a lengthy document or you want to point your team to a specific section of the document, you can use the bookmark feature.

Bookmarks allow you to create a direct link to any specific section of your text. Simply take your cursor to the portion of the text where you want to insert the bookmark. Now click on the Insert> Bookmark option. A small bookmark-like icon will appear next to the text you just selected with the option of adding a link.

Now go to the portion of the text you want to redirect the link to. Choose the Insert > Link option. In the dropdown menu, select the bookmark you have just created and you’re good to go.

6. Move Your Document to a New Folder Quickly

Generally, when you’re working on a document that exists in a shared folder and you want to move it to a separate folder, you will have to go through a lengthy process of going through multiple documents. However, there is a shortcut to this as well!

To move your document to a new folder easily, all you need to do is go to the name of the document and select the Move or Folder option. Now, you can move the document to any of your Google Drive’s other folders. Not only this, but you can also create a new folder too.

7. Check Version History Easily

If you’re collaborating on a document with multiple teams, the Version History feature can be a lifesaver for you. The feature allows you to restore your document to a previous version, check the changes a team member made to the original document, or find out who made what changes.

You can access the Version History by simply clicking on the File > Version History option. On the right-hand side, you will be able to see a list of people who have worked on your document along with the date and time they made the changes.

The Version History option gives you more clarity and ensures that everyone working on the document is on the same page.

8. Get More Screen Space with Compact Mode

While typing, if you want more space on your screen, Compact Mode can do the job for you. Once you enable Compact Mode, the menu bar and the document title will disappear, creating more breathing space on the screen. To enable Compact Mode, simply click on Ctrl + Shift + F, and the menu bar will disappear. It’s as easy as that. 

Wrapping Up

So, there you are, our top 8 tips for making the most of Google Docs. Knowing about these out-of-sight features for one of Google’s most powerful tools can enable you to complete more tasks in less time and with less effort. It can enhance your efficiency, boost collaboration with your teams, and offer you an excellent content-creation experience, no matter what you need to get done.

So, make sure to try out these features the next time you’re using Google Docs and enjoy creating and sharing.

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To learn more about Google Docs, check out our frequently asked questions below.

FAQ

What are the 10 primary features of Google Docs?

Google Docs has a variety of interesting features that make working on it simpler and more fun for you. Let’s have a look at the top 10 features:

• Meeting notes
• Pageless view
• Email drafts
• Machine learning-based spelling and grammar checker
• Document Outline
• Version History
• Feature for adding emojis to your text
• Integrations with Google Meet
• Watermarks
• Suggestion mode

How do you spice up a Google Doc?

There are several ways to spice up a Google Doc file and make it look more casual or individual. Here are some common ways to add more flair to a Google Doc:

• Add emojis to your content
• Add your signature
• Use colorful images
• Highlight your text in different colors to make your document more vibrant
• Use different fonts
• Change the background color of your document

What are 3 things you would use Google Docs for?

There are several things for which you can use Google Docs. While most people use Google Docs for writing essays, blogs, or articles, you can also use the application for several other things.

Here are the three things you can use Google Docs for besides writing blogs and articles:

Google Docs is a fantastic application for taking down meeting notes

You can also use Google Docs to create joint project proposals with different teams and departments of your company

You can use it for crafting an impressive resume or brochure

You can collaborate on projects, stories, and books, by writing with others from different locations and updating these additions instantly.