Adding horizontal lines in Google Docs

Google has been adding Smartchips which allow you to add features.  Alice Keeler shared this post about adding a horizontal line. Here is a quick (and silent) video.

5 new Google Docs Features

From changing the page orientation to using smart chips to insert files- please see this blog post from Alice Keeler.

Adding Borders to Google Docs

Looking to spruce up your Google Docs?  Here’s a quick video from CottenTechCoach with three methods to add borders to your Google Doc.

Making things pageless

There are times when working in Google Docs when I don’t want a page break.  This seems to happen when I know I am sharing a document online and am not worried about the page breaks.It will make the document appear wider on the screen.

Now you can do this in Google Docs.  Here are the steps:

1. Select File

2. Select Page Setup

3. Select Pageless. 

Here is a short video. If you would like additional information, here is the Google support page.

Add a watermark

While Microsoft has had this feature for a while, you can now add a  watermark (text or image) to Google Docs.  Look at the video for directions.

Everything you want to know about Google Comments

Alice Keeler recently shared a tweet loaded with Google Doc comment suggestions.  Please see her ideas here.

Adding watermarks to Google Docs

Tom Larsen (one of my fellow Google Educate Trainers) recently shared this quick video on how to add (an dedit) watermarks in Google Docs. I think this will be useful to me when working with draft documents- and then you can remove the watermark when you are done!

Top 10 Google Docs Tips

Alice Keeler shared her top suggestions for working with Google Docs.  This is something to think of while you are introducing Docs to your students.

Where you can put the images

Google has a new option when placing images in a Google Doc- you can now place the images behind the text!

First, insert an image and then select it.  Below the image, you will see a series of placement options.

The last two are new either behind or in front of the text!

Adding checkboxes in Google Docs

A new option in Google Docs will allow you to add checkboxes (and check them off-I will admit this is one of my favorite features in Keep!).  Just go to the checkbox icon to get started.

It's all in the numbers (and bullet points)

Alice Keeler shared this video all about numbered lists and bullets.  (Just a hint- the Tab and SHIFT key are important).  Please see her post here.

A review of Google Docs changes

In this edition of EDU in 90, they highlight the recent changes in Google Docs.  Just a note on Originality Reports- since we have the free version, you can only assign three Originality Reports per classroom.  Please see the link here.

There’s a tool for that - Citations

 

One of the newer Google tools is the Citation option.  Not only does it work you through the process, it will enter the inline citation and create the bibliography!  Here is a short video from Kasy Bell (Shake Up Learning) with all you need to know!

Creating moveable drawings (in a Doc)

Jonathan Frye recently shared this blog post on how to create moveable drawings within a Google Doc.  Please see his post here.

Make a color change

Here are the quick steps on changing the background color of a doc. Special thanks to Alice Keeler.

A clever idea for managing sub plans

This blog post from  Amy Roediger had an interesting way to use version history while creating sub plans.  It would certainly make your life easier and more organized.

Improving student writing

Kasey Bell (in her blog post here) has several good suggestions for helping students with their writing in Google.  Revision history and the use are comments are two of my favorites. She does reference Read and Write for Google.  While you can get a free teachers' version, this extension is not free for students and requires a subscription.

Everything you always wanted to know about sharing Docs

Alice Keeler does an outstanding job walking you through all the aspects of sharing in Google Docs.  Please see her blog post here.

Slides instead of Docs?

I will admit that I use Google Docs much more than I create Google Slides.  But after reading Alice Keeler’s blog post here, I’m starting to think differently. I especially like the feedback options and the ability to add a video. Not that slides will always replace a doc, but it is something to consider.

Seeing the section breaks

If you are working on a long document and would like to preview the page

breaks, go to View- Show section breaks.