Google Docs is a powerful online word processor that allows you to create, edit, and collaborate on documents. One useful but often overlooked feature of Google Docs is the ability to create simple drawings directly within your documents.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn multiple methods to create drawings in Google Docs, along with tips to customize and enhance your drawings.
Access the Drawing Tool in Google Docs
The easiest way to create a basic drawing in Google Docs is to use the built-in drawing tool. Here’s how:
- Open an existing document or create a new Google Doc
- Click Insert > Drawing > New in the top menu bar
- The drawing editor will open up in a pop-up window
This drawing tool allows you to add shapes, lines, text boxes and more to illustrate your document.
Key Features of the Drawing Tool
The Google Docs drawing tool includes the following key features:
- Shapes – add rectangles, circles, arrows, stars, callout boxes and more
- Lines and Arrows – illustrate connections and flows
- Text Boxes – add explanatory text boxes
- Images – insert any image from your computer or the web
- Word Art – add stylized text
- Diagrams – choose from flowcharts, venn diagrams, cycles and more
While basic, these features allow you to supplement your documents with simple drawings and diagrams.
Enhance Drawings with Google Drawings
For more advanced drawing capabilities, you can use the standalone Google Drawings web app and insert your drawings into Google Docs.
Google Drawings provides additional options like:
- More pre-made shapes and diagrams
- Tables and charts
- Mathematical symbols and equations
- Connector lines between shapes
- Drop shadows and other graphical effects
To insert a Google Drawing:
- Create and save your drawing in Google Drawings
- In your Google Doc, click Insert > Drawing > From Drive
- Select your saved drawing file
This allows you to access more powerful drawing tools while seamlessly integrating the output into your documents.
Tips for Creating Better Drawings
Follow these tips to create more effective drawings with the Google Docs drawing tool:
- Add explanatory text – use text boxes linked to parts of your drawing to provide context
- Use connector lines – illustrate the connections between elements with lines and arrows
- Organize with alignment guides – right-click to access guides to align shapes
- Change default colors – the default blue fill may not suit your document’s style
- Simplify when possible – convey the core ideas without unnecessary embellishments
- Use large text – ensure text is readable at the default zoom level
- Consider contrast – use colors and shades that stand out from the background
Common Uses for Drawings in Docs
Here are some of the most popular ways to use the Google Docs drawing tool:
- Illustrate key points in manuals and guides
- Provide visual examples of processes and workflows
- Supplement explanations with diagrams and graphics
- Create basic data visualizations like bar charts
- Design icons and logos to brand your documents
- Sketch ideas during brainstorming sessions
- Give visual overviews like mind maps and concept maps
- Annotate screenshots and images
The simplicity of the Google Docs drawing features makes them ideal for rapidly illustrating concepts without the complexity of advanced graphic design tools.
Export and Share Your Drawings
Once you’ve created your drawing, you can easily export or share it:
- Copy and paste – copy your drawing and paste it into other Google Docs or applications like Google Slides
- Download image files – download it as a PNG, JPEG or SVG image file
- Send a copy – email or share a copy of the Google Doc containing the drawing
- Insert in multiple docs – reuse the same drawing by inserting it from Drive into unlimited Documents
This allows you to get even more value from your drawings by publishing them in other formats.
Conclusion
Learning how to create drawings directly within Google Docs unlocks a handy way to communicate visual ideas with simplicity.
While the built-in drawing tool has limitations, its tight integration with Google Docs makes visually supplementing your documents a seamless experience.
So next time you find yourself needing to sketch out a concept in a document, turn to the Google Docs drawing tool to bring your ideas to life!
