How to Create a Checklist in Google Docs or Slides

Checklists are a useful way to organize tasks, action items, or any list of items that need to be completed. Google Docs and Google Slides have easy tools to create checklists that you can share and collaborate on with others.

Create a Checklist in Google Docs

Creating a simple checkbox checklist in Google Docs takes just a few clicks.

Start a New Checklist

To start a checklist from scratch in Google Docs:

1. Open Google Docs and start a new document
2. Click where you want to insert the checklist
3. In the toolbar, click the Bullets & Numbering menu > Checklist
   Checklist icon
4. Type the text for the first checklist item and press Enter
   A checkbox will appear next to the text
5. Type the next checklist item and press Enter again
6. Repeat to add more checklist items

You can create checklists with multiple levels by pressing Tab to indent nested items.

Convert Text to a Checklist

To turn existing text or a list into a checklist:

1. Highlight the text you want to convert
2. Click the Checklist icon in the toolbar
3. The text will now have checkboxes next to each item

Mark Checklist Items Complete

To mark items complete in the checklist:

1. Double click the checkbox
   The checkbox will be highlighted
2. Right click and choose the checkmark icon
   Checkmark icon
3. The empty box will now have a checkmark indicating it’s complete

Repeat for any other items you need to mark complete in the checklist.

Add a Checklist in Google Slides

You can also easily create checklists using the same process in Google Slides:

1. Open Google Slides and insert a text box
2. Click the Bullets & Numbering menu > Checklist
3. Type the checklist items and press Enter after each one
   Checkboxes will appear next to the text
4. Double click a checkbox and right click to mark it complete with a checkmark

Share and Collaborate on Checklists

A key benefit of using Google Docs or Slides for checklists is that you can share them and allow others to edit and update them.

• Share the file and choose the access level for collaborators
• Others can mark items complete or add/remove items
• See revision history showing who made changes

This allows simple tracking of progress on a shared checklist.

While basic, the checklist feature enables organizing simple task lists that you can share and tick off items as they are completed. More advanced checklist apps have interactive features, but Google Docs and Slides provide an easy starting point integrated with Google’s other collaboration tools.

More Tips for Effective Checklists

Here are some additional tips for creating useful, actionable checklists:

Write Concise Checklist Items

• Use short phrases or sentences
• Get straight to the point
• Be specific about the action

Organize Items Logically

• Group related items together
• Put tasks in sequence if order matters
• Start more general tasks before specific sub-tasks

Limit the Number of Items

• Shoot for less than 20 items when possible
• Break into multiple checklists if needed
• Too many items gets overwhelming

Make Checklists Action-Oriented

• Use action verbs – check, call, send, etc.
• State what needs to be done, not what you wish would happen

Leave Checklists Open for Updates

• Don’t delete checked items immediately
• Review completed checklist periodically
• Update and adjust for next go-around

Following these tips will help you create effective, usable checklists that can help you and your team stay organized and productive!