How to make Google docs editable by anyone

Many users that you may come across using Google Docs to write or edit documents. It is the perfect tool that has every other function that you might need similar to what you will find in Microsoft Word. If you have not bought the Microsoft software yet, Google Office Suite tools are the best you can think of using. They are available to work online and save everything on the drive. You can simply log in to your Google Drive and download the docs anytime you need. In fact, you can also know how to make Google docs editable by anyone.

To make a Google Doc Editable by anyone, Open the document –> Click on the “Share” button –> click on “Change” –> select “anyone with the link” –> Choose “Editor” –> Click on “Copy link” and share with any one –> Finally, click “Done”.

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Well, another issue arrives in most of the Word documents where you cannot directly share the file with other people such as your teammates or colleagues. Hence, Google Docs provides you with an exceptional option where you can allow other users to edit, view, or comment on the document you have created. With a simple sharing option, you can create a shareable link and make it happen.

If you are not aware of how to make Google docs editable by anyone, we have created the guide that you need. Simply follow the steps below and know more about making Google Docs shareable to other people with just a simple click.

How to make Google docs editable by anyone (On Desktop)

To make Google Docs Editable, you can follow the guidelines given below. The steps are pretty simple and even though you might have not used the tool before, you can easily figure your way out and share the docs with anyone you would like.

• Open Google Docs in your browser or click on the link here http://www.docs.google.com.
• Now, create a new document or choose an existing document that you wish to share.
• Click on the Blue Share button on the top-right corner of the document.

• In the first section, you can simply add the person’s email id you wish to share the document with and click on Done.

• Also, you can choose to share the link with people you particularly wish to share it with such as your client, or on a public platform.

• Click on Change to anyone with the link.

• In the next window, you can now choose between what you wish to allow the people with a link to access. Here you can click on the Viewer option to open multiple options.
• If you choose Viewer and share the link with other people, anyone with the link can view your document only. They cannot make any edits whatsoever.
• If you choose Commenter, anyone with the link can make comments on the document and view it as well. They cannot make any changes.
• If you choose Editor, anyone with the link can make any changes, comment, or even share it with anyone they like.
• Once you have selected it, you can now simply copy and paste the link anywhere you wish.

That is all you need to know to share the doc with other people. If the number of people you want to share the doc with is limited, simply keep the document restricted and the mail id of those people and press on Done. As we said, once you have understood it properly, you might not need to look over the instructions again.

Now, let’s discuss the steps to edit Google Docs

Read: How to undo in Google Docs

How To Edit Google Docs

1. Navigate to Google Docs (https://docs.google.com/).
2. Now, you will find all the documents you have. Click on the document that you wish to edit. To find the document quickly, you can use the search bar to search the document name.

3. Now, the document will open in Editing mode. On the right corner ( Below the Share button), you can able to see the Editing mode as highlighted below.

4. Now you can edit or modify the document. you will find different options on the menus at the top to change the weight, font size, text formatting, insert an image, insert a link, run the spell check text color, highlight color, etc. you can also perform the below actions along with this.

• Use the Zoom option if you want to adjust the document to how it looks.
• You can also use the undo, redo, paint format options, etc. Choose the proper styles to make the titles and subheadings.
• Easily, you can able to insert an image, insert a comment, insert a hyperlink, etc.
• You can highlight the text easily, change the color of the text, or make the text bold, underline, or italic.
• You can able to use different alignment options, Apply the line spacing for better readability of your document.
• You can increase or decrease the indents based on your need.
• Use the numbered lists and bulleted lists, and also utilize the benefits of the Clear formatting option.

Along with the above options, use the Insert menu to perform the below actions.

• Insert table
• To draw different shapes in your Google Docs, you can use the Drawing option.
• Most importantly, you can Insert Different Charts based on your need.
• Insert equations, footnote, Special characters, etc.
• Insert Page numbers and use headers and footers in your Google Docs document.
• Insert page breaks, table of contents, section breaks, etc to give your Google Docs document a better look.

How to make Google docs editable by anyone (Mobile App)

So, we have another aspect that you needed to know since it comes in handy all the time, especially in times of emergency. If you have not downloaded the Google Docs app on your smartphone, this might be the best time to do so. 

There are times when you do not have your system with you or your laptop to share a file that might be important. Hence you can now simply use the mobile app to share the file. If this is something you have not done before and might not be aware of, you can follow the guide below.

• Download the Google Docs Mobile app on your smartphone.
• Open the app and click on the document you wish to share.
• Tap on the Share icon beside the name of the document.

• Here, you can add the email id of the people you have to share the document with. Also, you can add a message.

• Below the email ids selected, tap on the small drop-down menu.

• Here, you can select between Editor, Commentor, and Viewer.
• As soon as you select one, you can tap on the send icon below.
• On the other hand, if you wish to share a link, tap on the green share icon at the bottom.
• Tap on Change.

• Select between Editor, Commentor, and Viewer options.
• Now, tap on Copy Link.

• Anyone with the link will act upon the option chosen by you if they wish to.

How To Edit Google Docs Using Google Docs App

Above, we have discussed how to edit Google Docs from the website. Now, let’s discuss how to edit Google Docs on the Phone. Follow the below instruction.

1. Open the Google Docs app on your mobile (Android).
2. Tap on the document that you wish to edit. To find the document quickly, you can use the search bar.
3. The document opens with read-only mode by default. You can able to see a pencil icon on the bottom right and tap on that pencil icon to edit your Google Docs document.
4. You will find many action menu options on the top and bottom that you can utilize to edit your document. you can able to perform the below activities with the help of those actions menus,

• Change the paragraph options as well as the text options, insert a link, add comments, page numbers, insert tables, footnote, horizontal line, page break, etc using the top menu buttons.
• Change the text to bold, Underline, Italic, highlights the text, change the text color, change the text alignment, increase or decrease the indents option, etc using the bottom menu buttons.

5. Once you are done editing your Google Docs document, tap on the tick mark that is present at the top left of your mobile screen to save the changes.

Well, this is everything you can choose to do with your document on the mobile app. The options are pretty much the same. You only need to follow the steps that will lead you to it.

How To Edit Google Docs Offline

What if you have the requirement to edit your Google Docs and you don’t have an internet connection? For this scenario, you just need to enable a few settings to edit Google Docs Offline. Follow the below quick steps.

1. Go to Google Drive (https://drive.google.com/)
2. Click on the My Drive option that is present on the left menu.

3. Click on the Settings option from the top right corner.

4. Tick the check box next to “Create, open and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline.” On the Settings window, then make sure to click on the DONE button to save the changes.

5. Reload the page, Once you have done the above changes.

6. Finally, right-click on the document that you want to edit offline –> Enable the Available offline option as highlighted below.

How To Edit Google Docs Offline Using Docs App

Well, here we will discuss the steps to edit Google Docs Offline on your mobile.

1. Open the Google Docs app on your mobile.

2. Locate the file you want to edit offline. for quick access, you can search for the file name in the Search Docs box.

3. Click on the three dots menu, next to the file name.

4. Now, tap the Make available offline option as highlighted below.

5. Now Once you are offline or you don’t have internet, you can open the Docs app and tap on the file to open, and then tap on the pencil icon from the right bottom of your mobile screen.

6. To edit your Google Docs document, you can use all the action menu buttons from the top or bottom to edit your Google doc based on your need. Finally, tap on the tick mark on the top left corner to save the changes.

How To Edit Google Docs on iPhone

Follow below quick steps below to edit Google Docs on iPhone.

1. On your iPhone, Open the Google Docs app and open the document that you want to edit.
2. By default, the document will open in read-only mode. Use the pencil icon on the bottom right, and tap on that pencil icon to edit your document.
3. Use the top and bottom menu options to modify your document.
4. Click on the Undo or redo option in case you want to undo or redo any action.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why can’t I edit my own Google Doc?

There are times when you cannot edit the Google Doc you once might have had access to. Well, it could be because of multiple reasons. You might no longer have access to it since the link expired or the owner made changes to it and restricted access to the file. Another reason could be that you are logged in with a different account on your system and hence you need to log in to your own google account.

2. How do I make a Google Doc not editable?

If at all you wish to change the settings of your Google Doc and not make it editable, you can simply change the settings to Restricted. Also, once you click on the Share button on the document, you can simply remove the people you no longer wish to share the doc with. Moreover, to make the doc restricted simply click on Get Link and mark it restricted.

3. How to Prevent others from sharing your shared files?

Not a lot of users are aware of this particular feature, but you can also restrict people from sharing your shared files with them. For this, click on the Share button. Open Settings. Uncheck Editors can change permissions and share. Now, click on Done. This will not allow any user you have shared your files with to pass it on to anyone else.

4. How to change the Owner of the Google Docs file?

Since now you have learned how to share a doc or make it editable by anyone, you can also make someone else the owner of the doc you owned. For this, open the document you shared with the person and click on Share. Now, click on the down arrow beside the name of the person you wish to make the owner. Tap on Make Owner. Click on Done.

5. Why can’t I edit Google Docs on my phone?

If you are not able to edit Google Docs on your iPhone or Ipad or Android phone, Cross verify the below points.

1. You might be signed in with a different google account. Ensure to log in with your correct Google account.
2. Check if you are the owner of that particular file you are trying to edit or the owner of the file didn’t give you permission to edit the file.
3. Someone else might have removed your Edit access.

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Conclusion

Here is everything you need to know on How to make Google docs editable by anyone. Not only have we mentioned the steps for your desktop version but also for everyone who also uses the mobile app as well. It is easy no doubt and you also only need to perform it once to learn how to make it happen. 

Once you have shared the file with someone, you can restrict them or even make them the owner of the file with few simple steps instantly. If at all you have any queries or issues not allowing you to share the file with other people, you can let us know in the comment section so that we can sort it out for you.