Creating a new Google Doc takes three steps
Go to Google Drive (drive.google.com) and sign in with your Google account. Click the blue Create button on the left side, then select Google Docs from the menu. A blank document opens immediately with a default name like "Untitled document" at the top.
Rename the document by clicking on "Untitled document" and typing a new name. Press Enter to save the name. You now have a working Google Doc that auto-saves every few seconds as you type — you do not need to manually save.
Start typing or paste text into the document. Google Docs formats text as you work, and you can use the toolbar at the top to change font, size, color, and alignment the same way you would in Microsoft Word or any other word processor.
Key Takeaways
- Create a Google Doc by going to Google Drive, clicking Create, and selecting Google Docs from the menu.
- Share a document by clicking the blue Share button, entering email addresses, and choosing whether people can edit, comment, or view only.
- Anyone with a link can access a document if you change the sharing setting to "Anyone with the link" instead of requiring individual invitations.
- You can see who has opened your document and when by clicking the list icon in the top right corner to view activity.
Sharing a document with specific people
Click the blue Share button in the top right corner of the document. A dialog box opens asking who you want to share with. Type the email address of the person you want to invite in the text field.
Next to the email address, click the dropdown menu that says Editor (or Viewer or Commenter, depending on what was last selected). Choose the permission level: Editor means they can make changes, Commenter means they can leave notes but not edit, and Viewer means they can only read. Click Share to send the invitation.
The person receives an email with a link to the document. They click the link and can start working on it immediately if they have a Google account. If they do not have a Google account, they can still open the document but will be prompted to create one or sign in.
Sharing a document with a link instead of email addresses
Click the blue Share button, then look for the section that says General access or shows the current sharing setting (often "Restricted" by default). Click on it to open a menu of options.
Select Anyone with the link from the menu. This creates a shareable link that you can copy and send to anyone — through email, text, Slack, or any other method. Anyone who has the link can open the document without needing an invitation, but you still control whether they can edit, comment, or view only using the dropdown next to the access level.
Copy the link by clicking the Copy link button that appears, then paste it wherever you want to share it. If you later want to stop sharing, return to the Share button and change the setting back to Restricted or Specific people.
Changing permissions after sharing
Click the Share button to see everyone who has access to the document. Their names or email addresses appear in a list with their current permission level next to them.
To change what someone can do, click on their name or email and select a new permission from the dropdown menu. To remove someone entirely, click their name and select Remove. The change takes effect immediately — they will no longer be able to access the document if you remove them.
If you shared the document with a link, you can also change the link's permission level by clicking Change next to "Anyone with the link" and selecting a new option. This affects everyone who has the link, not just one person.
Tracking who has opened your document
Click the list icon in the top right corner of the document (it looks like three horizontal lines with dots). This opens the Version history panel on the right side, which shows every change made to the document and who made it.
Scroll through the list to see timestamps and the names of people who edited the document. Click on any entry to see exactly what changed at that moment. You can also restore an earlier version of the document by clicking on a past entry and selecting Restore this version.
Using Google Docs offline
Google Docs normally requires an internet connection, but you can turn on offline mode to work without one. Click the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select Settings. Toggle on Offline to enable offline editing.
When you are offline, you can open and edit documents you have previously opened. Changes sync automatically when you reconnect to the internet. Note that some features like comments and suggestions may not work offline, but basic editing does.
Moving and organizing your documents
Google Docs are stored in Google Drive, which organizes files in folders. To move a document into a folder, right-click on the document name in Google Drive and select Move. Choose the folder where you want it to go, or create a new folder.
You can also organize documents by adding labels or stars. Right-click a document and select Add label to tag it with a category, or click the star icon to mark it as a favorite. These tools help you find documents later without moving them into folders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share a Google Doc with someone who does not have a Google account?
Yes. They can open the document with the link you send them, but they will be prompted to create a Google account or sign in. Some organizations allow people to open shared documents without signing in, but this depends on your Google Workspace settings. If you are sharing with someone outside your organization, they will almost certainly need to sign in.
What happens if I delete a shared document?
The document moves to your trash folder and is hidden from anyone you shared it with. They can no longer open it. If you permanently delete it from trash, it is gone forever. If you change your mind, you can restore it from trash within 30 days, and it will be visible to shared users again.
Can I see what changes someone made to my document?
Yes. Click the three-dot menu and select Version history to see every edit, who made it, and when. Click on any version to see the document as it looked at that moment. You can also turn on Suggesting mode (click the pencil icon in the top right) to require all changes to be approved before they are saved.
How do I stop someone from editing my document?
Click the Share button, find their name in the list, and click it. Select Remove to take away their access. If you shared the document with a link, you can disable the link entirely by changing the sharing setting from "Anyone with the link" back to "Restricted" or "Specific people".
Can multiple people edit a Google Doc at the same time?
Yes. When multiple people have editor access, you can all work on the document simultaneously. You will see their cursor and name as they type, and changes appear in real time. This is one of the main advantages of Google Docs over traditional word processors.