Creating a new Google Document takes less than a minute

To create a new Google Document, go to docs.google.com in your web browser and click the blue plus sign in the bottom right corner. A blank document opens immediately with a default name like "Untitled document". You can start typing right away, or rename it first by clicking the title at the top and typing a new name.

If you are already signed into your Google account, the document saves automatically to your Google Drive. You do not have to click a save button — Google Docs saves your work every few seconds as you type. If you are not signed in, you will be prompted to sign in with your Google account before you can create a document.

You can also create a document from Google Drive. Open drive.google.com, click the "New" button on the left side, and select "Google Docs" from the menu. This opens the same blank document, just through a different entry point.

Key Takeaways

  • Visit docs.google.com and click the blue plus sign to create a new blank document in seconds.
  • Google Docs saves your work automatically every few seconds, so you never have to manually save.
  • Rename your document by clicking the title at the top and typing a new name.
  • You can create a document from Google Drive by clicking "New" and selecting "Google Docs" from the dropdown menu.
  • Your document is stored in Google Drive and you can access it from any device where you are signed into your Google account.

Renaming your document so you can find it later

When you create a new document, it starts with the name "Untitled document". Click on this title at the very top of the page to rename it. A text box appears where you can type a new name. Press Enter when you are done, and the new name appears in the title bar and in your Google Drive.

You can rename a document at any time, even after you have written a lot in it. Click the title again and type a new name. This does not affect any of your writing — only the document's name changes.

Good document names are specific: "Grocery List" is better than "List", and "2024 Tax Notes" is better than "Notes". A specific name makes it much easier to find the document later when you have many documents in your Drive.

Where your document is stored and how to find it

Every Google Document you create is automatically stored in your Google Drive. You can see all your documents by going to drive.google.com and looking at the "My Drive" section. Your most recent documents appear at the top of the list.

If you have many documents, you can search for one by name. Click the search box at the top of Google Drive and type part of the document's name. Google Drive shows all documents that match what you typed. You can also create folders in Google Drive to organize your documents by topic or project.

Your documents are only visible to you unless you share them. To share a document, click the "Share" button in the top right corner of the document, enter the email addresses of the people you want to share with, and choose whether they can view, comment, or edit the document.

Opening a document you have already created

To open a document you created before, go to docs.google.com and look at the list of recent documents on the left side of the screen. Click any document name to open it. If you do not see the document you want, click "Open file picker" at the bottom of the recent list, or go to drive.google.com and search for it by name.

You can also open a document from an email if someone shared it with you. Click the link in the email, and the document opens in your browser. If you have not signed into Google yet, you will be asked to sign in first.

Once a document is open, you can edit it immediately. Any changes you make are saved automatically, so you do not have to worry about losing your work if you close the browser or your computer shuts down unexpectedly.

Basic formatting and typing in your new document

When you open a blank document, your cursor is ready for you to start typing. Type normally, and Google Docs handles the line breaks and spacing for you. Press Enter to start a new paragraph, and press Backspace to delete text.

To make text bold, select the text by clicking and dragging over it, then click the bold button (the B) in the toolbar at the top. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+B on Windows or Cmd+B on Mac. Italic and underline work the same way — select the text, then click the I or U button, or use Ctrl+I or Ctrl+U.

To change the font or text size, click the font dropdown (which says "Arial" by default) or the size dropdown (which says "11" by default) at the top of the page. Select a new font or size from the list, and any text you type from that point on will use the new setting. If you want to change text you have already typed, select it first, then change the font or size.

Sharing your document with others

To let other people view or edit your document, click the blue "Share" button in the top right corner. A box appears where you can type email addresses. Type the email address of the person you want to share with, then click the dropdown that says "Viewer" to choose their permission level.

Viewer means they can read the document but cannot make changes. Commenter means they can add comments but cannot edit the text. Editor means they can make changes to the document just like you can. Choose the permission level that matches what you want them to do, then click "Share".

The person you shared with receives an email with a link to the document. They can click the link to open it in their browser. If they do not have a Google account, they can still view the document, but they will not be able to edit it or leave comments.

Downloading or printing your document

To save your document in a different format, click the "File" menu at the top left and hover over "Download". A list of formats appears: you can download as a Word document (.docx), PDF, plain text, or several other formats. Click the format you want, and the file downloads to your computer.

To print your document, click "File" and then "Print". Your browser's print dialog opens. Choose your printer, the number of copies, and any other settings you need, then click "Print". Google Docs sends the document to your printer.

You can also print directly to PDF by clicking "File", then "Print", and selecting "Save as PDF" from the printer dropdown. This creates a PDF file on your computer without needing a physical printer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to save my Google Document?

No. Google Docs saves your work automatically every few seconds as you type. You will see a small checkmark appear next to "All changes saved" at the top of the document when the latest changes have been saved. You never have to click a save button.

Can I use Google Docs offline?

Yes. Turn on offline mode in Google Docs settings, and you can create and edit documents without an internet connection. When you go back online, your changes sync automatically. Go to the menu (three horizontal lines) and look for "Offline" to turn this on.

What happens if I accidentally delete something?

Click Ctrl+Z on Windows or Cmd+Z on Mac to undo your last action. You can undo multiple times to go back several steps. You can also use the "Version history" feature by clicking "File" and then "Version history" to see all past versions of your document and restore an older one if needed.

Can multiple people edit the same document at the same time?

Yes. When you share a document with editor permission, multiple people can edit it at the same time. You will see their cursor and changes appear in real time. Each person's edits are shown in a different color, and you can see who made each change.

How do I delete a document I no longer need?

Go to drive.google.com, right-click the document name, and click "Delete". The document moves to your trash folder. If you change your mind, go to the trash folder and restore it. Documents in trash are permanently deleted after 30 days.