Google Docs

Google Docs is an online version of a word processor, similar to Microsoft Word or Apple Pages. Using all of Google Docs functionality requires a Google account. You can create a Google account with any email address or create a Gmail account which provides email service as well as a Google account. You can edit a previously created Google Doc, such as a resume template, and print or save changes locally by saving as a PDF. If you do so, ensure you have saved the PDF file to your USB drive, the cloud, or email it to yourself. You can also upload files of other types, such as Word, into Google Docs and edit the file.

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Helpful Links:

Google Docs Help Center 

Getting Started with Google Docs 

Google Docs Cheat Sheet  

How to save a Google Doc to a portable device

Google lessons, tutorials and videos from GCFGlobal.org (GCFLearnFree.org)

Create a Google Account

  1. Open the Google Chrome browser and enter Google.com in the address bar
  2. Click on the blue Sign In button in the upper right-hand corner
  3. Click on blue Create Account link and choosing “For myself” or “To manage my business”
  4. Enter First and Last Name in the spaces provided
  5. Enter desired Username, or if you already have an email address click on the blue Use My Current Email Address Instead link
  6. Enter desired Password twice in the boxes provided
  7. Click the Next button in the bottom right-hand corner
  8. Optional step: Enter phone number and/or email address (used for account recovery)
  9. Enter birth date and select gender
  10. Click the blue Next button in the bottom right-hand corner
  11. Read the terms and conditions and click on the blue I Agree button

Check out this tutorial on creating a Google account and their other tools and services!

Create Google Docs, use other Google Apps and how to retrieve your documents from Google Drive

  1. Log into your Google account and click to open the application menu found next to your name icon at the top right
  2. Grab the scroll bar and scroll until you find Docs
  3. Click the “Docs” icon to open the application
    •  Google Docs includes a template gallery to help you create professional resumes, cover letters, a brochure or create a document

Other helpful Google apps:

  1.  Create a workbook using “Sheets”
  2.  Create a slide show using “Slides”
  3.  Or check out the many Google apps to improve your computer experience!

Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service created by Google. It allows users to store Google Docs and other Google document files in the cloud and synchronize files across your devices and share files. Google Drive provides users with 15 gigabits of storage on each account.

Watch these two quick start tuitorials, explaining what Google Drive is and how it works or this beginner's guide to Google Drive and explore using their other free productivity tools!

Upload/Export/Download files and print documents

Upload a file:

  1. Open Google Docs
  2. Click on the Folder icon

3. Click Upload

4. then select either to Drag a file here or Select the file from your device

  • 4. If you clicked Select a file from your device, locate the file and click Open

Export/Download file and Print a document from Google Docs:

  • 1. Open Google Docs
  • 2. Click on the Folder icon
  • 3. Click on the document you want
  • 4. Open the document
    • a. Click File
    • b. Click Download
    • c. Select the file type you want to save the document in
      • Note: You can print your document here