Your New Writing Buddy: A Beginner’s Guide to Google Docs

A document being touched by a magic wand with sparkles to represent the auto-save feature.

Introduction

What is Google Docs?

• It’s like a notebook on your computer where you can write and save stories, letters, or lists.

Why is it useful for you?

• You can write without paper and pen, and you can save your writings without them getting lost.

Logo and Sample Doc

Setting Up Google Drive

What is Google Drive?

Think of it as a big cabinet on your computer where you can keep many notebooks (Google Docs) and other things.

How to access Google Drive:

1. Open your browser (Edge or Chrome).
2. Type in “Google Drive” in the search bar.
3. Click on the first link that looks like “Google Drive — Cloud Storage”.
4. Sign in or make a new Google account.

Sign In Screen

Bookmarking Google Drive for Easy Access

What is a bookmark?

• It’s like putting a special mark in a book so you can quickly find a page again.

How to make a bookmark:

1. Once in Google Drive, look at the top right corner of your browser.
2. Click on the star icon.
3. Choose “Bookmarks bar” so you can see it easily next time.
4. Click ‘Save’.

Bookmark

Navigating Google Drive Menus

• The ‘New’ button: It’s like a magic button to make new things.
• The ‘My Drive’ section: This is your personal space in the cabinet.
• The left sidebar: It shows different parts of your cabinet.

Left Menu

Creating a Folder in Google Drive (Optional)

Why you might want a folder?

• It’s like a drawer in your cabinet to keep things organized.

How to make a folder:

1. Click on the ‘New’ button.
2. Click on ‘Folder’.
3. Give your folder a name and press ‘Enter’.

Create New Folder (Optional)

Creating a New Google Doc

What is a Google Doc?

• Remember the notebook idea? This is it!

How to make a new document:

1. Click on the ‘New’ button.
2. Move your mouse over ‘Google Docs’.
3. Click on ‘Blank document’.

Create New Document

Exploring Google Doc Menus

• The ‘File’ menu: Where you can make new writings or open old ones.
• The ‘Edit’ menu: Tools to fix or change what you wrote.
• The ‘Insert’ menu: Add pictures or links.
• The ‘Format’ menu: Make your writing pretty with colors and styles.
• The toolbar: Quick buttons for things like making words bold or slanted.

Google Doc Menus

Saving, Exporting, and Printing Your Document

Saving in Google Docs

• Google Docs saves for you: No need to worry, it’s like magic!

Exporting Your Document

1. Click on ‘File’.
2. Move your mouse over ‘Download’.
3. Choose how you want it (like a PDF or Word).

Printing Your Document

1. Click on ‘File’.
2. Move your mouse over ‘Print’.
3. A new window will pop up. Check the settings to make sure everything looks right.
4. Click the ‘Print’ button in the new window.

Exporting and Printing Your Document

Conclusion

• We learned how to use Google Docs, like a magic notebook on your computer.
• Try it out and write something fun!

Additional Tips

• If you’re lost, click on ‘Help’ in Google Docs. It’s like asking a friend.
• Keep your password a secret, like a treasure.

Help

Remember, it’s okay to take things slow and practice. You’re doing great! Happy writing!

4 Minute Guide to Google Docs

Or if you want the combined 4 Guides:

Google Apps 4 Minute Guides

Rich Brown - Medium