How to Start Using Google Docs On Android Device
Google Docs has become a common tool for those who need to create documents. Many of you are already familiar with the desktop version, and it may already be an indispensable tool. If not, it can become the center of your documents when you are traveling.
Imagine that you do not have access to your laptop on the road and you need to review a document. This situation is compatible with the mobile version of Google Docs.
Here's how it works.
Step 1: your phone Set up Google Docs
If you are familiar with Google Docs, the next thing you want to do is make sure the app is installed on your phone. The app is installed, open it and login into your Google account.
Note: I am using iOS for this tutorial, but if you are using Android, there may be slight differences in the location of the buttons. Google is great at streamlining its apps, so any changes should be minimal.
After signing in, you will be taken to a page, similar to the left screenshot. If you click on the six squares in the top right corner of your screen, Google Docs will switch your documents to the grid view.
When you are in the grid view, you will see a preview of each recently opened document. An example of this can be seen in the middle screenshot above.
Main Google Docs Control
If you click on three horizontal lines in the top left corner of your screen, Google Docs will expand your app's main controls. Here you will find:
- Recent documents.
- Starred Documents.
- Documents that are "shared with me".
- Your trash
- Link to your Google Drive.
- Your settings
Your Google Account Details
At the top of this menu - where you see the blue circle in our third screenshot -, you'll find a section containing your avatar, your username, and your email. You'll also see a small, downward gray arrow next to it.
When you click on it, you will be faced with three options:
- Manage your Google Account.
- Add another account.
- Manage accounts in this machine.
Step 2: Adjust Your Google Account Settings
To manage your Google account, press the same button that says the same thing. On the new screen, you can control:
- Personal information.
- Data and Personalization.
- Security.
- People and share
To add another account -press the corresponding button located in the same dropdown menu, so you can switch between different documents stored on different Google Drive accounts on the same device. Google can prompt you with a push notification, telling you that "Docs" wants to use google.com to sign in.
If you receive this notification, press continue. Once you have done this, you will be taken to the official sign-in page.
Note: If you have two-step verification activated, you must enter this information on mobile as well.
Remove Google Account
Suppose you want to switch accounts instead of running multiple accounts on the same device. To do this, manage accounts on this device from the dropdown menu.
Note: If you delete your account from the Docs app, Google will remove access to your account from all Google apps activated on your phone. If you are using it then it includes Gmail.
When you press remove from this device, you will be sent a final notification to ensure that you are fine with this action. If you are, click Remove.
After that, Google Docs will sign you out. You can log in to a new account.
Step 3: Create a new document
After you log in again, Google Docs will return to the main page of the app. If you have never used the app with this other account, it will show you a slightly different login screen that gives you a basic overview of the app and what has changed with it.
To dismiss this section click on Get it, then go to the multi-colored + sign in the lower right corner. Click on it to create a new document.
Google Docs will gray out your screen and prompt you to create a document from two different options:
- Choose a template.
- New document.
I chose a new document because I like to create my own documents from scratch. Once you choose the right option for you, Google Docs will ask you its name. After you name your document, press Create.
Step 4: Google Docs Vertical Learning
After creating your document, you will be taken to a para-down version of the Google Docs workspace, where you can start writing. To type, press the blue pen icon in the lower right corner of your screen.
Under your workspace (and above your keyboard), you'll see your text formatting options. At the top of its workspace, there is a blue checkmark. Once typed, this checkmark allows you to exit the scope of your document.
Next, to that blue checkmark, you will see the Undo and Redo buttons. You will also see the + symbol for the Insert menu and the A symbol for advanced formatting options.
At the end of this toolbar are three dots that represent a more concise menu - one that controls the overall details of your document. Click on these dots.
After the menu is expanded, you will see the following options:
- Print layout.
- Suggest a change.
- Find and Replace.
- Page Setup.
- Description.
You will also see a toggle that will allow you to view your document offline, should you choose to do so. You can see each of these options on your own. If you are happy with your current setting, press it on the gray out area next to the menu to exit.
Add comments
Leaving feedback on other documents is one of the most preferred (and well known) features of Google Docs. There are different ways to add a comment. The easiest way is to highlight a word or phrase. Once you are done, choose the option to add a comment when the formatting box pops up. After this, you will be taken to a separate window where you can start tying.
Once you type, click the blue arrow to apply the changes. Google Docs will take you back to the main screen and keep your comment intact.
Step 5: Insert Menu
When you are working on mobile, you may want to put something in your document, be it a link, an image or a table.
Go to sign at the top of your workspace. This will expand the Insert menu, where you have several options to include different types of content.
Step 6: Your updated document list
Today we are leaving a lot of devices, only because they have little difference between mobile and desktop versions. But suppose you are ready to exit your document and return to your main screen.
To exit your document, press the blue checkmark in the upper left-hand corner.
If you are on iOS, this blue checkmark will change to gray, side view arrow. By pressing that gray arrow, you will be taken to the main menu.
Click on three points next to that document. You'll be taken to the third menu, where you can see the top-level actions about that file and where it is located on your drive.
It is also different from the menu you saw in your workspace, where you can set up specific dimensions of your project.
Instead, this menu allows you to share a document, move it, and rename it. Once you are free from the controls, you are done. Feel free to exit the application.
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