gdocs

How to add stock images to Google Docs

Google Docs has the ability to add stock images to enhance the creative feel of your documents.

If you're planning to design a flier for an event, creating classroom materials, or just want to add an image to a document you're writing, here are the steps to make it happen:

Step 1: Open a Web browser to your Google Docs account.

Step 2: Click on either the Insert menu and then Image

- OR - click the small icon that looks like a landscape picture with mountains.

Step 3: Choose Stock photos from the menu on the … Read more

How to play videos from Google Docs on Android

Since Google Docs doesn't require you to sign up for yet another cloud storage account, it's the perfect place to host some of your files.

And what better files to host than videos--ones you can play on your mobile Android devices? Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Log in to Google Docs and upload a video or two for later watching. Keep in mind you will need to adhere to the storage limits of your Google Docs account.

Step 2: Install the Google Docs app on your device and check that you have a decent Internet … Read more

How to import files to Google Docs from the Web

If you like to keep a copy of images, PDFs, or other documents that you find on the Web, this trick is for you. Rather than having these files clutter up your desktop or other folders, you can import them directly into your Google Docs account to view at a later time. First, though, make sure the file type is supported by Google Docs. If you're not sure about a file type, check this list, and then follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to the page that has a link for the file you want to save in Google … Read more

Changes to Google Docs hint at GDrive release

The sharp eyes over at the Google Operating System blog noticed that Google quietly changed some wording in Google Docs from "PDFs" to "files." While small, this could signal that Google Docs may soon support the viewing and editing of other file types, and possibly double as an online storage service--like the fabled GDrive.

Google has long-allowed users to upload PDFs to Docs. These could be viewed in Google's online viewer, but not edited. However, the service would not allow other items such as photos and videos to be imported, despite Google offering other … Read more

Google Spreadsheets gets software-inspired face lift

Over the weekend, Google rolled out a brand-new look for its Spreadsheets tool by adding a simplified toolbar to the top of the page, much like the one Google Docs received back in late March. The change is twofold: one to better organize all the various bits and pieces that had turned the tool into something resembling an airplane cockpit, as well as ready it for additional features.

All this isn't just cosmetic ,though; Google says overall speed has been improved, too. One of the things that's kept me away from using it all these years is that … Read more

gDocsBar makes Firefox more Google office-friendly

If you're a Google Docs user you're probably used to keeping a separate window or set of tabs open for your document source list. What if you could kill that extra tab or open window and manage everything from the sidebar of your browser instead?

Interaction designer Sandosh Vasudevan has come up with gDocsBar (download), a solution that rolls up all the functionality you'd find on the home screen of Google Docs and puts it the side bar of your browser, meaning it can be summoned and dismissed in an instant.

The sidebar features a search-as-you-type box … Read more