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It is time to revisit some of the basics, like why Docs is simpler than other word processors and why that is a good thing - because it does 99% of the things while still looking stunningly good.
Let's dive into formatting, which is at the heart of making work effortless and professional looking at the same time. Which is what Docs is all about.
Google Docs starts simple - but it does a good job at staying simple.
How formatting works
How formatting works
Like Microsoft Word, proper Docs formatting works by applying styles:
There is a normal style, which all other styles are based on. If you change the font from Georgia to Arial, your entire document switches.
There are title and subtitle styles, as seen in the demo on the side. Subtitle is not included in navigation and table of content.
All other styles are headings which you can make look exactly as you want.
The elegance of styles
The elegance of styles
99% of making a document look great comes from using styles instead of the formatting buttons. If you ever find yourself hitting the enter key twice, or abusing the space key to position something or using formatting options repeatedly, from now on, a red light should go off in your head and you should remember styles, which are really easy to use.
Apply: Overwrite whatever formatting is currently in effect and use this style.
Update to match: Docs does not have a Style editor. Instead, you format one paragraph nicely and then select this option. All other paragraphs with this style will update.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I have more headings?
Can I have more headings?
Yes, when you use the third, Docs will reveal the fourth and so on.
I want a style not to show up in the index
I want a style not to show up in the index
If you really need this, the workaround is to use the "subtitle" style for this.
How to work without formatting
How to work without formatting
By pasting content without formatting or clearing formatting.
Can I rename styles?
Can I rename styles?
No.
Are there character styles?
Are there character styles?
No, you can only have what Word calls paragraph + character styles.
Are there shortcuts?
Are there shortcuts?
You bet! Hover over the shortcuts to see them. Also, styles are available in the Universal @ menu.
Bonus: Save your default style sheet
Bonus: Save your default style sheet
If you have put effort into making a nice style sheet and want to start off that sheet when creating blank documents in the future, save it to be your default going forward. Format > Paragraph styles > Options > Save as my default styles does what you need. You can also fine tune it and save it again, so it gets better next time. Margins, paragraph spacing... There is a lot you can do to make a good document look great - like when you automatically create meeting minutes.
Of the editors, Docs is my favorite - I think that team is doing a great job to keep complexity out of sight so it still feels like something really easy, although it is now a powerhouse in its own right. It also looks the best and most minimalist of them all, if you ask me. And we haven't even started talking about the unparalleled suggestion and teamworking features it houses. Thank you for reading!
#docsPublished 2020-09-29 by Holger Matthies.Modified 2020-09-29 by Holger Matthies.
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