Adding drawings to your Google Docs can help illustrate concepts, make your documents more visually engaging, and allow you to showcase your creativity. The built-in drawing tools in Google Docs make it simple to create basic shapes, lines, graphics, and text boxes right within your documents.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to access and utilize the drawing features in Google Docs to elevate your documents.
Step 1: Open Google Docs and Position Your Cursor
To start, open the Google Doc you want to add a drawing to or create a new blank document. You can access Google Docs by going to docs.google.com and logging into your Google account.
Once your document is open, place your cursor where you want your drawing to be inserted. Having your cursor positioned ahead of time will allow the drawing to be embedded precisely where you want it.
Step 2: Access the Drawing Tools
With your cursor placed, click on the “Insert” drop-down menu at the top of the document. Next, hover over the “Drawing” option.
A sub-menu will appear – click on the “+ New” button to open up a drawing canvas and toolbars.
Step 3: Select Your Drawing Tool and Create Your Graphic
In the drawing toolbar, you’ll see a variety of options for creating different types of graphics. Here are some of the main features available:
- Shapes: Insert pre-made shapes like rectangles, circles, arrows, stars, and more
- Lines: Draw straight lines, elbow connectors, curved connectors, arrows, scribbles, curves, and polylines
- Text boxes: Add text boxes and customize the font, size, color and other formatting
- Images: Upload images from your computer or the web to embed into your drawing
- Actions menu: Options for manipulating your drawings like copying, pasting, bringing elements forward/backward, grouping items, and more
Choose the tool you want, like the rectangle shape. Then click and drag your mouse across the canvas to draw the shape to your desired size.
Feel free to experiment with all of the shape, line, and text tools to create your graphic.
Step 4: Customize and Format Your Drawing
One of the best things about using the built-in Google Docs drawing tools is that you have lots of customization and formatting options:
- Change size and proportions: Click and drag the blue handles on the sides and corners of shapes and lines to resize them
- Rotate: Grab the blue rotation handle sticking out of shapes and lines to rotate them
- Change colors: Select new fill colors, line colors, line thickness, line style, and more from the formatting toolbar
- Add text: Insert text boxes and tweak the font, size, alignment, color and more
- Layer objects: Use the “Order” option in the Actions menu to rearrange overlapping objects
- Group items: Group multiple objects so they move together as one unit
Take advantage of all these options to create precisely the drawing layout and style you envision.
Step 5: Save and Insert Your Drawing
When you finish your graphic, click on the blue “Save and close” button in the upper right corner of the drawing canvas. This will insert the finished drawing right into your Google Doc.
If needed, you can click on the drawing at any time to reopen the editor and modify it further. Changes will automatically update in your document.
Extra Tips for Enhancing Your Google Doc Drawings
Now that you know the basics, here are some extra pro tips:
- Link to Google Drawings: For more advanced editing, you can insert drawings created in the standalone Google Drawings program. This provides additional templates and tools.
- Add captions: Insert text boxes with captions to accompany your graphics and diagrams.
- Animate builds: Use multiple shapes and lines to illustrate a process, with each item appearing one at a time.
- Export and reuse: Download your drawings as images to reuse them in other documents and presentations.
- Print backgrounds: Enable the “Print background images” setting so drawings show up correctly when printed.
So whether you just need a simple arrow or text box for emphasis or want to create elaborate custom diagrams, the drawing features in Google Docs have got you covered!
Frequently Asked Questions About Drawing in Google Docs
Here are answers to some common questions people have about using Google Docs’ drawing tools:
Can I draw freehand with a stylus or mouse?
Unfortunately, there isn’t an option to do freehand drawing – you need to use the pre-made shapes and line tools.
Is there an eraser tool?
No eraser, but you can select a shape or line and hit the delete key to remove anything you don’t want.
Do the drawings stay editable?
Yes, you can click on any inserted drawing to reopen the editor and modify it as needed. The updated version will automatically appear in your Google Doc.
Can I change a drawing’s transparency?
Yes! Adjust the transparency level from 0-100% using the “Image options” formatting settings.
What image formats can I insert?
You can insert JPG, PNG, SVG and some other common formats. However, animations and some other file types are not supported.
Can I collaborate with others on the same drawing?
Absolutely! If multiple people have edit access to the Google Doc, you can collaborate on the same drawing in real-time.
Wrap Up
The built-in drawing capabilities in Google Docs offer an easy way to create basic graphics, diagrams, logos, icons, and more. With a little creativity, you can quickly elevate your documents beyond plain text.
Now you have the fundamental skills to start drawing directly within your Google Docs. Have fun bringing your files to life with custom illustrations! Let us know in the comments if you have any other questions.
