Google Docs

Google Docs is a free, web-based word processor offered by Google that allows users to create, edit, and collaborate on documents in real time. It supports features like comments, suggestions, version history, and seamless sharing, making it ideal for both individual and team productivity.

Google Docs Overview

Real-time collaboration: Simultaneous editing and commenting by multiple users
Version history: Automatic saving and ability to revert to previous versions
Integrated commenting and suggesting: Streamlined feedback and revision process
Templates: Pre-designed documents for various purposes (resumes, reports, etc)
Offline access: Ability to work on documents without an internet connection

Create and name your document

On your computer, open a Google Docs
Click Create.

You can also:

At the top of the page, click Untitled document and enter a new title.

Import and convert an existing document

Converting your file from another program creates a copy of your original file in a Docs, Sheets, or Slides format. You can then edit the file in your browser.

If you have existing files, you can import and convert them to Docs, Sheets, or Slides.

Go to Drive.
Click New File Upload.
Choose the file you want to import from your computer to add it to Drive.
In the Upload Complete window, click Show file location.
Right-click the file and select Open with Google Docs

Add pictures, links, tables, and more

The Insert menu lets you add different features to your document. Here are the highlights:

Image—Insert an image from your computer, the web, Drive, and more.
Table—Select the number of columns and rows to create a table.
Drawing—Create shapes, pictures, and diagrams right in your document.
Link—Add a link to another page or to a header or bookmark in the same document.
Bookmark—Add shortcuts to specific places within your document.
Table of contents—Create an auto-generated table of contents that links to each heading in your document that has a heading style applied.

Add pictures, links, tables, and more

Collaborating on Google Docs

Google Docs Overview: Collaborating with other people

Sharing permissions with collaborators

Google Docs Overview:

Creating Labels

Tips:

You can apply up to 5 labels to each file.
Only administrators can create labels.
To apply labels to a file, the administrator must give you access and allow you to edit the file.
To find labels applied to a file or search for files by their labels, you need:
- Access to the file
- View permission for the label

Applying Labels:

On your computer, go to Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
Click File Labels .
In the side panel, review labels and apply new ones.
To remove a label from a file, select a label and click Remove .

Step 1: Select the Labels option

Step 2: Click on Apply Labels

Step 3: Select the label that works for you

Your label will appear once inserted

Approvals:

To open the sidebar, at the top, click File > Approvals.
In the sidebar, click New Request.
In the window that appears, enter the approval request details:
- Approver's email address.
- Optional: a due date.
- Optional: a message.
Optional: Click Allow approvers to edit this file to give edit access to the file.
- Tip: Approvers who don't have edit access can't unlock the file to leave comments, make changes, or view changes during the approval.
Optional: You can lock files before you send out the request. Locked files can prevent anyone, even Editors, from editing or commenting on the file.
Click Send request.

Step by step guide on how to create approvals

Lock a document

You can lock a document to make sure that reviewers can't change a file while it undergoes approval. Edits, comments, and suggestions can't be added to locked documents.

To lock a document, click File Lock.
To unlock a document, click File Unlock.

Approve or reject a file

In Google Docs, Sheets & Slides, when approval is in process, a banner will appear at the top of the file.

To approve the file, click Approve. You can also add an optional note.
To reject the file, click Reject. You can also add an optional note.
To open the sidebar to review approval details, click View details.

Cancel approval request

If you no longer want someone to approve your request, you can cancel it.

In the file, open the approval sidebar.
In the top right, click More Cancel request.

Find files that need approval

On your computer, go to Google Drive.
At the top, in the search box, click the Down arrow.
Next to Approvals, select Awaiting my approval or requested by me.
Click Search.

View previous approvals for a file

Important: You can only view previous approvals for Docs, Sheets, and Slides files.

On your computer, go to Google Drive.
Open the file that you want to view approvals for.
If approved versions are available, at the top, click View approved versions.
In the version history, on the right, click View Approval Details.

Gemini in Docs

Drive team efficiency and go from a blank page to a structured document — complete with formatting, images, and styling — with Gemini and Google Docs.

Help you write
Refine your content
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Create documents with Gemini in Docs

Help me write prompt

Accessing Gemini in Docs