How to Create and Edit Documents with Google Docs

Google Docs is a free word processing program that runs in your web browser. You do not need to install anything, and your work saves automatically as you type — no more losing a document because you forgot to save. All your documents are stored in Google Drive, which means you can access them from any computer, phone, or tablet you sign into.

To get started, go to docs.google.com. You will need a free Google account (the same one you use for Gmail). Once signed in, click the large plus sign to create a new blank document, or browse the template gallery for ready-made formats like a resume, meeting notes, or a formal letter.

Formatting your document works similarly to Microsoft Word. At the top you will see a toolbar with font options, text size, bold, italic, and underline buttons, alignment choices, and list formatting. Click any text to start editing, highlight text to format it, and use the Insert menu to add images, tables, headers, or page numbers.

One of the most useful Google Docs features is sharing. Click the blue "Share" button in the top-right corner, type someone's email address, and choose whether they can view, comment, or edit the document. This is perfect for sharing a draft letter with a family member for review. You can also create a shareable link so anyone with the link can view it.

Google Docs saves automatically every few seconds. If you ever want to see what the document looked like before a change, go to File > Version history > See version history. You can view and restore any previous version.

Need to work without typing? Tools > Voice typing activates your microphone so you can speak your words and watch them appear on screen.

When you are ready to share the document with someone who uses Microsoft Word, go to File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx). You can also download as a PDF by choosing File > Download > PDF document. Your formatting will be preserved in both cases.