GD+Instructions+for+Students

Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation application offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users.
 * Guide for Setting Up Google Docs **

Documents can be uploaded and saved to Google servers to be edited, saved, and downloaded for later use. Uploading documents to Google Docs allows you to access your information anytime from any location. As you work on documents in Google Docs, they are saved with a full revision history automatically saved as well. Much like Gmail, documents can be tagged and grouped to allow for easy access as you work and share. Google Docs allows multiple users to simultaneously open a single document at anytime to be shared and edited.

*Document types such as .doc and .xls are supported as well as OpenDocument and .pdf.

** Set up Your Google Docs Account ** www.docs.google.com
 * 1) Open your browser (Firefox, Safari, Opera etc.)
 * 2) Click here or copy and paste the URL below into your browser:
 * 1) Click “Create an Account Now” on the right side of the page located under the login section. You may also want to view tutorial videos that are linked from this page before getting started. These videos can be found here or copy and paste the URL below into your browser: www.youtube.com/docs
 * 2) Fill in the required information including the security word at the bottom of the form and agree to the terms of service.
 * 3) You will receive an e-mail from Google Docs, which will be sent to the e-mail account you entered into the form. That e-mail will contain instructions for accessing your account. Click on the URL embedded in the e-mail and you will be taken to your Google Docs page.
 * 4) Simply sign in to your Google Account. Now you can upload an existing file or choose the type of document you want to create using the bottoms at the top of the left hand column.

** Sharing Documents ** There are two ways you can share your Google Docs: from your Docs list or directly from a document, spreadsheet, or presentation. · From the Docs list in the center of the main screen, just follow these steps: · Check the item(s) you want to share and click the Share button. · Enter the email addresses of the people or mailing lists that you'd like to add. · Choose “can view” or “can edit” from the drop-down list. This will define whether the person has access to simply see the document or can actively collaborate with the owner. · If desired, add a message and click Send Invitation. · Even if you've previously shared the document with the people to be notified, they'll still receive the invitation or notification you send. · To share from the within the document while viewing it, click the Share button. The steps to select type of sharing and messaging remain the same.

To create folders for your documents, follow these steps: · Click the “New” button at the top of your Docs list page sidebar. · Select “Folder” from the drop-down menu. · In the folder screen that appears, place your cursor over the field labeled “New Folder” and enter a name for your folder. The folder you created now appears in both the “All Folders” section of your sidebar, and in your Docs list.

Adding docs to a folder · Drag an individual document, spreadsheet or presentation from the Docs list into the folder of your choice, located in the Docs list page sidebar. · Once either of these steps is taken, your document, spreadsheet or presentation will show up in  the folder you selected. It is possible to assign a single document, spreadsheet or presentation to multiple folders. · You can see all your documents, regardless of the folder you put them in, by clicking on “All items”.