You can add a video to Google Docs by inserting a link, embedding YouTube videos directly, or uploading video files

Google Docs does not store video files the way it stores text. Instead, you embed a video — which means you place a link or player into your document that pulls the video from somewhere else. The method you use depends on where the video lives: YouTube, Google Drive, or the web.

The most reliable way is to link to a YouTube video, which appears as a clickable thumbnail in your document. You can also embed videos from Google Drive if you uploaded them there, or paste a link to a video hosted anywhere online. Each method takes less than a minute once you know where to find the button.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube videos embed as clickable thumbnails and play directly in your document without leaving Google Docs.
  • Videos stored in your Google Drive can be embedded, but they must be in a format Google Drive recognizes (MP4, WebM, Ogg, or MOV).
  • You can paste a link to any video on the web, and it will appear as a preview card that readers can click to watch.
  • Embedded videos do not download into your document — they stream from their original location, so the video must stay online for the link to work.

Embedding a YouTube video

Open your Google Doc and place your cursor where you want the video to appear. Click Insert in the menu bar, then select Video. A search box will open. Type the name of the video or the channel you are looking for, or paste the YouTube URL directly into the search field.

When you find the video, click it once to select it. Google Docs will insert a thumbnail of the video at your cursor. The thumbnail is clickable — when someone opens your document, they can click the image to watch the video without leaving the page. The video plays in a small window that expands when clicked.

Adding a video from Google Drive

If you have already uploaded a video file to your Google Drive, you can embed it directly. Open your Google Doc and click Insert, then Video. Instead of searching, click My Drive at the top of the search box. A file browser will open showing your Drive folders.

Navigate to the folder where your video is stored and click the video file to select it. Click Select at the bottom right. The video will appear as a thumbnail in your document. Google Drive videos work best in MP4, WebM, Ogg, or MOV format — if your file is in a different format, convert it first using a free tool like Handbrake or CloudConvert before uploading to Drive.

Pasting a video link from anywhere online

You can also paste a direct link to any video hosted on the web. Copy the full URL of the video (the address bar link, not a shortened link). In your Google Doc, click Insert, then Link. Paste the URL into the field and click Apply.

Google Docs will create a preview card showing the video title and thumbnail. Readers can click the card to open the video in a new tab. This method works with Vimeo, Dailymotion, and other video platforms, though the preview quality depends on whether the website provides preview information to Google Docs.

Adjusting video size and position

After you insert a video, you can resize it by clicking the thumbnail and dragging the corners. Drag the small square handles at the edges to make the video larger or smaller. Right-click the video to access additional options: you can replace it, delete it, or adjust how text wraps around it.

To move the video, click and drag it to a new location in your document. If you want the video centered on the page, click it once, then use the alignment buttons in the toolbar — they look like lines and appear next to the text formatting options.

Troubleshooting videos that won't appear

If a video thumbnail shows but does not play, the video file may have been deleted or moved. YouTube videos sometimes become private or are removed by the creator. Google Drive videos stop working if you delete the file from your Drive or change the sharing settings to private.

If you embedded a video from the web and it is not showing a preview, the website may not allow preview cards. Try embedding it as a link instead: copy the URL, click Insert > Link, paste it, and click Apply. The link will be clickable even if no preview appears. If the video still will not work, check that the original video is still online and that your internet connection is active.

Sharing documents with embedded videos

When you share a Google Doc with embedded videos, the people you share it with can watch the videos if they have permission to access them. YouTube videos are public, so anyone with the link can watch them. Videos from your Google Drive only play for people you have given access to that file.

If you share a doc with a video link but the recipient cannot watch it, the video may be private or deleted. You can check by opening the document yourself and clicking the video to see if it plays. If it does not, re-embed it or replace it with a video that is publicly available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I upload a video file directly to Google Docs without using Google Drive?

No. Google Docs does not have a direct upload button for video files. You must either upload the video to Google Drive first, search for it on YouTube, or paste a link to a video hosted elsewhere online.

Will the video file size make my Google Doc slow to load?

No. Embedded videos do not actually live in your document — they stream from YouTube, Google Drive, or another website. Your document file size stays small because it only contains a link or reference to the video, not the video itself.

What happens if I delete the original video from YouTube or Google Drive?

The thumbnail will disappear from your document and readers will see a broken link or blank space. If you need the video to stay available, keep the original file online. You can move it to a different folder in Google Drive, but do not delete it.

Can I embed videos from TikTok or Instagram in Google Docs?

You can paste a link to a TikTok or Instagram video, and it will appear as a clickable link. Google Docs may not show a preview thumbnail for these platforms, but the link will still work if the video is public and the account has not been deleted.

Do I need special permissions to embed a video I did not create?

For YouTube videos, no — they are public by default. For videos in Google Drive, you need at least view permission for the file. If you are embedding someone else's video, make sure they have made it public or shared it with you before adding it to your document.