Getting Started with Google Docs by High-Definition Genealogy

The Connected Genealogist Guide to Getting Started With Google Docs Set Up Your Google Docs Account 1. You must have a Google Account. Go to https://www.google.com/acco unts/ if you need to set up an account.

Create A Google Document 1. In the sidebar locate the Create New menu, click and display the document types. Select Document.

2. Go to http://docs.google.com and sign in with your Google Account.

2. A blank document appears.

3. The Google Docs dashboard appears.

3. Click Untitled Document in the upper left-hand corner. The Rename Document dialog appears. Enter a name and click OK.

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4. Begin to enter text in the document. Use the toolbar to format text (bold, italics, etc.), to insert hyperlinks and to insert images.

5. You can also copy and paste text from existing document on your computer or from websites.

6. To save changes, click Save in the upper right-corner.

Google Docs Templates 1. On the Create Menu select From Template. The Templates page appears.

Google Document Types • Document: a blank text document for letters, reports, etc. Similar to Microsoft Word. • Presentation: a slide show for use in genealogy talks. Similar to Microsoft PowerPoint. • Spreadsheet: a financial spreadsheet that can also be used as a database. Similar to Microsoft Excel. • Form: a document for users to fill in an complete. Can also be used as a poll. • Drawing: use for flow charts or free-hand drawing.

2. In addition, you can click Submit Template and submit your own template for the public library.

Google Docs contains a huge library of user-submitted templates for creating documents.

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Google Docs Library

Uploading Documents

Once you’ve created one or more documents, you can display them in the library.

Documents already on your computer can be imported to Google Docs.

Click the Google Docs icon. The Google Docs Library appears.

1. Click Upload. The Upload screen appears.

Renaming Documents

2. Click Select files to upload and locate them on your computer.

Mark the checkbox next to the document and click Rename. Type the new name and press Enter.

Deleting Documents Mark the checkbox next to the document and click Delete. The document will be sent to the Trash folder.

3. Click Start Upload. A confirmation will appear.

Only specific file types can be imported:

Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), OpenDocument text (.odt), StarOffice text (.sxw) Rich text (.rtf), Plain text (.txt), HTML (.htm, .html) Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pps) Microsoft Excel (.xls, .xlsx), OpenDocument spreadsheets (.ods). CSV (.csv)

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Folders 1. In the Create New menu, select Folders.

Google Docs Settings 1. Click Settings in the upper right-corner and then select Document Settings. The Settings dialog appears.

2. Enter the folder name, select a folder color and enter a brief description. Click Save. 3. The new folder is displayed in the sidebar under My Folders and in the Folders menu.

2. Set your language, time zone and check your space usage for Google Docs.

Links and Resources • Google Documents - How To http://docs.google.com/support /bin/topic.py?topic=15114 • Google Spreadsheets - How To http://docs.google.com/support /bin/topic.py?topic=15115

4. To add a document to a folder, mark the checkbox next to the document, select the Folders drop-down menu and mark the checkbox next to the folder. Click Apply Changes.

• Google Presentations - How To http://docs.google.com/support /bin/topic.py?topic=15116 • Google Drawings - How To http://docs.google.com/support /bin/topic.py?topic=28131 • Google Forms - How To http://docs.google.com/support /bin/topic.py?topic=15166

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Sharing Documents One of the best features of Google Docs is the ability to share documents with others and to work in a collaborative environment.

3. Enter the email address of the person with whom you want to share the document. Select To edit (to give full access) or To view (to give read-only access). Click Send.

1. To share a document, mark the checkbox next to the document and select the Share menu.

2. The Share with others dialog appears.

4. The People with access dialog will appear listing which users have which types of access rights to the document.

5. Use the Share menu to remove access for document as well as request access for documents.

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