Google Docs is a powerful word processing app that allows you to create, edit, and collaborate on documents from your iPhone. One useful feature is the ability to customize the paper size for your documents. Whether you need to format a document for printing or change the layout, adjusting the paper size is easy to do right from the Google Docs app.
Why Change the Paper Size
There are a few key reasons you may want to modify the paper size in Google Docs on your iPhone:
- Printing – If you want to print a document, changing the paper size to match your printer’s settings ensures proper formatting.
- Document Layout – Adjusting page dimensions gives you more control over document design for reports, flyers, newsletters, etc.
- Readability – Switching to a different paper size can improve readability for certain documents depending on their content and formatting.
How to Change Paper Size in Google Docs App
Changing the paper size for a document only takes a few taps in the Google Docs iPhone app:
Step 1: Open the Document
- Launch the Google Docs app from your iPhone’s home screen.
- Locate and open the document you want to adjust.
Step 2: Access Page Setup
- Tap the More button (3 dots icon) in the top right corner.
- Select Page setup from the menu.
Step 3: Choose Paper Size
- Tap Paper size.
- Select one of the preset paper sizes or create a custom size.
- Tap Done to apply changes.
And that’s all there is to it! The paper size for your document in the Google Docs iPhone app has now been updated.
Custom Paper Sizes
If you don’t see the exact paper size you need in the presets, Google Docs allows you to create customized dimensions.
To make a custom paper size:
- Follow steps 1-2 above to access Page setup.
- Tap Custom size.
- Enter your desired width and height (in inches).
- Give the custom size a name for easy identification.
- Tap OK to save changes.
Your custom paper size will now be available to select anytime you need it.
Paper Size Considerations
- Changes apply only to the current document – paper size is set individually for each file.
- Certain preset sizes like Legal and Tabloid may not be supported by all printers.
- Mixing page orientations (portrait & landscape) within one document is not allowed.
- Print preview mode lets you see how your document will look printed (tap More > Print Layout).
Sharing Documents with Custom Paper Size
If you share a document that has a custom paper size, the custom dimensions will be preserved for anyone you share it with. The paper size will resize automatically when they open the document on their device.
This allows easy collaboration without having to reformat content due to paper size inconsistencies.
Paper Size for Printing
To ensure proper printing, check that your document’s paper size matches your printer’s default paper size or the size you’ve loaded for printing.
For home printing, Letter (8.5″ x 11″) is the standard paper size while A4 (210 x 297mm) is typically used in office settings.
Converting Other Documents to Google Docs Format
Files from other apps like Pages and Microsoft Word can be imported into Google Docs while preserving certain formatting. However, the original paper size may not always carry over.
To check paper size on an imported document:
- Tap More > Page setup after opening the document.
- View or modify the paper size as needed.
- Make additional formatting adjustments as desired.
Google Docs App Printing Tips
Printing directly from the Google Docs iPhone app is easy if you have compatible printers set up. Here are some useful printing tips:
- Enable printing features – Tap More > Settings > Printing to allow printing through Google Cloud Print and AirPrint.
- Check printer connection – Confirm your printer is on the same WiFi network as your iPhone.
- Add Google Cloud Print printers – Open the Google Cloud Print app to connect additional printers.
- Use AirPrint printers – Print wirelessly to AirPrint compatible printers.
- Print preview – View how your document will print by turning on print layout mode (tap More > Print Layout).
Paper Size Recommendations
Here are some typical paper sizes to consider for common document types:
- Letters – US Letter (8.5” x 11”)
- Reports – A4 (210mm x 297mm)
- Posters – Tabloid (11” x 17”)
- Booklets – Digest (5.5” x 8.5”)
- Flyers – Half Letter (5.5” x 8.5”)
The standard Letter size is a safe bet for most everyday documents. But don’t be afraid to customize paper dimensions when you need something different!
Key Takeaways
- Adjusting paper size on Google Docs for iPhone is done through the Page setup menu.
- Preset options include common paper sizes like Letter, Legal, Tabloid and more.
- Custom paper sizes can be created by entering specific height and width values.
- Changes apply only to the current Google document rather than globally.
- Sharing documents with custom paper sizes will resize automatically on recipients’ devices.
- Print preview lets you confirm paper size and see how formatting will look printed.
Understanding how to update paper size gives you more flexibility and control when using Google Docs on your iPhone. Whether you’re formatting reports for work, designing flyers for an event, or simply tweaking documents for easier reading, the ability to customize page dimensions saves time and hassle.
