Opening Google Docs on a computer
To open Google Docs, go to docs.google.com in your web browser. You will see a page with a blue "Create" button and a list of your recent documents if you have used Google Docs before. If you are not signed into Google, you will be asked to sign in with your Google account email and password first.
Once you are signed in, click the blue "Create" button to start a new blank document, or click on any document name in the list to open a file you have already started. Google Docs opens directly in your browser — there is nothing to read or install on your computer.
If you want to open a document someone else created and shared with you, look for the email they sent with a link to the document. Click that link and the document will open in your browser. You do not need to do anything else to access it.
Opening Google Docs on a phone or tablet
On an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, you need the Google Docs app. Open your device's app store (App Store on iPhone, Google Play on Android), search for "Google Docs", and tap "Get" or "Install". Once the app is installed, open it and sign in with your Google account.
After you sign in, you will see your recent documents on the home screen. Tap any document to open it, or tap the blue plus sign (+) button to create a new document. The app works the same way as the computer version, just with a smaller screen.
If someone shared a document with you through email or a link, tapping that link on your phone will open the document in the Google Docs app automatically.
Key Takeaways
- On a computer, go to docs.google.com and sign in with your Google account to see all your documents and create new ones.
- On a phone or tablet, read the Google Docs app from your device's app store, then sign in to access your documents.
- Documents shared with you through email links will open directly when you click the link, whether you are on a computer or phone.
- Google Docs saves your work automatically as you type, so you do not have to click a save button.
- You can open and edit Google Docs in any web browser on any computer without installing software.
What happens after you open a new document
When you create a new blank document, you will see a blank page with a cursor ready for typing. At the top left, you will see "Untitled document" — click on this text to give your document a name. Type a name and press Enter, and Google Docs will save that name.
The toolbar at the top has buttons for formatting text (bold, italic, underline), changing font size and style, and adding things like lists, links, and images. You can ignore most of these buttons when you are starting out — just type your text first, then use the toolbar to change how it looks if you want to.
Everything you type is saved automatically. You do not have to click a save button or worry about losing your work if your browser closes.
Opening documents you have already created
If you have created documents before, they appear in a list when you go to docs.google.com. Click on any document name to open it. You can also search for a document by typing its name in the search box at the top of the list.
Documents are organized by when you last opened them, with the most recent at the top. If you want to keep a document straightforward to find, click the star icon next to its name to mark it as a favorite — starred documents appear in their own section at the top of your list.
Opening documents shared by other people
When someone shares a Google Doc with you, they send you an email with a link or they give you a link directly. Click that link and the document opens in your browser. You do not need to do anything else — you are already viewing it.
The person who shared the document controls whether you can just view it, comment on it, or edit it. If you can edit, you can make changes and the owner will see them. If you can only view or comment, you cannot change the actual text, but you can leave notes for the owner to read.
Troubleshooting if Google Docs will not open
If docs.google.com does not load, check that you have an internet connection. Google Docs requires a working connection to your internet service provider. Refresh your browser page by pressing F5 or clicking the refresh button.
If you are signed out, you will see a sign-in page instead of your documents. Click "Sign in" and enter your Google account email and password. If you do not have a Google account, you can create one for free at accounts.google.com.
If you are using an older browser, Google Docs may not work correctly. Try opening docs.google.com in a different browser like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. If it works in a different browser, update your original browser to the latest version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Google account to use Google Docs?
Yes, you need a Google account to create and save documents. You can create a free Google account at accounts.google.com using any email address. If you already use Gmail, YouTube, or Google Photos, you already have a Google account.
Can I open Google Docs without internet?
No, Google Docs requires an internet connection to open and edit documents. However, you can turn on offline mode in Google Docs settings so you can edit documents when you are not connected, and your changes will save when you reconnect to the internet.
What if I forget my Google password?
Go to accounts.google.com and click "Forgot password?" on the sign-in page. Google will ask you to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number you set up when you created your account. Follow the steps to reset your password.
Can I open a Google Doc in Microsoft Word instead?
You can read a Google Doc as a Word file (.docx) by clicking File, then read, then "Microsoft Word". This creates a copy of your document in Word format that you can open in Microsoft Word. Changes you make in Word will not update the original Google Doc.
Why does my document look different on my phone than on my computer?
Google Docs adjusts the layout to fit smaller screens on phones and tablets. The content is the same, but the text may wrap differently and some formatting options may look different. This is normal and does not change your actual document.