Google Docs Introduction

Google Docs: Getting Started

Google Docs is a powerful, web-based set of tools that allow you to use Word, Excel and Power Point type products...with benefit.

• Google Docs means that you're never tied to your computer. These files are all stored in a "virtual" locker, which means you can access them anywhere.
• Google Docs allows you to collaborate with others (e.g., they can create and edit on the same document, which comes with a history in case you mess up) or you can set up viewers (e.g. they can simply see what you've done)
• Google Docs also allows you to create forms so that people can enter information easily into a spreadsheet
• Google Tools allows you to take information you've stored in the Google Docs files and uses tools like Google Maps to create visualization of your information.

Google Documents

Google Documents Introduction

Google Spreadsheet

Google Spreadsheet Introduction

• Adding Google Gadgets (e.g. Visualizations) to your Spreadsheet

Creating Forms

One thing you can do with Google Spreadsheet is build a form that you publish as a link so that you can have people submit their own information. This is good for collecting emails, names, contact information which you can then export (since it's in spreadsheet form) into email or other database programs. It's an easy workaround for those who need to collect information from a website but don't have database skills.

1. Once you have a Google Account, you go to the Google Docs homepage
2. Click on New along the Spreadsheet navigation bar
3. Click on Forms

Adding Titles

You will be taken to a document that has blank fields. When you fill these out, each question will represent a field in the spreadsheet.

1. In the Untitled Field, fill out the Title of your Document
2. In the empty field below that, fill out a short description of what your spreadsheet will capture

Adding Questions

Underneath those two main fields are question fields. These are what prompts people will see for each field (e.g. If you type "Last Name" in the question field, that will go to a field that will contain the last name).

1. To add new questions, simply click the +Add Question along the top navigation
2. In the Question Title box, type what you would like the prompt to be
3. In the Help box, type an "e.g." example, if you would like
4. In the Question Type box, choose text, paragraph, multiple choice, list or check box
5. Check the Required Question box if you want to force people to answer
6. Click Done when you are finished

On the right side of the question box:

1. The eraser allows you to edit
2. The 2-sided paper allows you to duplicate the questions
3. The garbage can deletes the question

Once you are finished, click SAVE and the form will be saved to the Google Doc account.

Embedding on a web page

1. Click on More Actions along the main navigation bar
2. Click on Embed; you will receive code that you can paste into your website template

Emailing the Form

1. Click on Email this Form
2. Paste the email addresses you want to use, type your introduction message and click Send.

Google Presentation

Google Presentation Introduction

Google Docs Official Blog

Google Docs Help Group