Inserting a video in Google Docs can enhance documents and presentations. Videos help convey ideas more clearly and engage readers. While Google Docs lacks a built-in video insertion tool, there are three easy workarounds:
Use the Video Link Preview
The simplest way is to insert a YouTube or Google Drive video link. Highlight the link, right-click, and select Open Link. This displays the video preview player.
Pros:
- Quick and easy
- Allows playback without leaving the document
- Supports YouTube and Google Drive links
Cons:
- Only shows preview, doesn’t embed video
- Have to reclick link to replay
Copy From Google Slides
You can embed a copied video from Google Slides into Google Docs.
Steps:
- Open a new Google Slides presentation
- Insert desired video via Insert > Video
- Click the video and press Ctrl/Cmd + C to copy
- In Google Docs, select Insert > Drawing > New
- Press Ctrl/Cmd + V to paste the copied video
Pros:
- Embeds an interactive video element
- Works with any video source
Cons:
- Requires the extra Google Slides step
Use the DocuTube Viewer Add-On
The DocuTube Viewer add-on allows video insertion and playback right within Google Docs.
Steps:
- Open the Google Docs document
- Select Add-ons > Get add-ons
- Install DocuTube Viewer
- Click Extensions > DocuTube Viewer > Load Videos
- Insert desired video link(s)
- Click video to play within the DocuTube pane
Pros:
- Plays videos seamlessly in the document
- Supports video playlists
Cons:
- Requires installing an extra add-on
Best Practices for Inserting Videos
When inserting videos into Google Docs, follow these tips:
- Check permissions: Ensure you have rights to embed copyrighted videos
- Link the source: Credit the video creator by linking to their site/channel
- Keep it short: Use short 1-3 minute clips to maximize engagement
- Mind the context: Insert videos relevant to the surrounding content
- Enhance the layout: Add text wraparounds, captions, and alt text
Conclusion
Adding videos engages readers and improves document clarity. With three straightforward methods to insert videos, Google Docs remains a versatile document creation tool. Simply copy from Google Slides, use the preview player, or install DocuTube Viewer to embed videos directly into docs.
