Creating and sharing a Google Doc through Google Drive is an efficient way to work. Especially when you have more than one person working on a document.

This document can be a Google Doc (word document), slides (presentation), sheets (excel sheets), and more.

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Benefits of using Google Docs

Multiple people can access the Google Docs that you share with them. It is available 24/7, they just need an internet connection. You can use them in a large organization, it is better when the team works on the same doc compared to individual copies.

It gives people the flexibility to check-in on the document whenever it is possible for them.

Also, when multiple people are online, working on the same document, their cursors are shown in different colors so that you can identify their positions.

This allows users to see who else is in the document and making changes to it as they work.

The fact that the interface of Google Docs is quite similar to MS Word makes it easy to get comfortable with.

When you share a file with someone, you can choose what they can do with it.

• Viewer: People can view, but can’t change or share the file with others.
• Commenter: People can make comments and suggestions, but can’t change or share the file with others.
• Editor: People can make changes, accept or reject suggestions, and share the file with others.

Google Docs imports and exports most file types, giving you the flexibility you need when sending and receiving files from colleagues.

How to create a Google Doc and share it

To create a google doc, you can follow two methods. The first option is to go to the Google Docs site and log in with your Gmail account. Or if you have your Gmail inbox already opened, click on the square beside your profile picture. (see the picture below)

Go to Google Drive and click on the New button. It will show you different options such as Google Docs, Slides, etc. Choose the one you’re looking to create and share.

Once you Google Doc is created in your Google Drive, you will see a share button on the top-right.

Click on this button and add the emails of the people who are going to work together in this on this document.

You can share your google doc with up to 100 people. They can view, edit, or comment at the same time.

When you share a file with someone, you can give them access in 3 different ways, by being a

• Viewer: People can view, but can’t change or share the file with others.
• Commenter: People can make comments and suggestions, but can’t change or share the file with others.
• Editor: People can make changes, accept or reject suggestions, and share the file with others.

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Control how your link is shared

When you share a link to a file, you control how widely the file is shared. These options depend on if your Google Account is through work, school, or Gmail.

• Public: Anyone can search on Google and get access to your file, without signing in to their Google Account.
• Anyone with the link: Anyone who has the link can use your file, without signing in to their Google Account. 

• Restricted: Only people you share the file with will be able to use it.

How to transfer file ownership

When you create a google doc, you are the owner of the file by default. You can transfer the ownership to anyone who has a Gmail account.

If you transfer ownership of a lot of files and folders at once, it may take some time for you to see the changes.

After making someone the owner, you can’t make yourself the owner again. You can’t permanently delete the file shared too.