Sure, we talk up Google Docs around here all the time, but how many of you really know how to use the service and make the most of it? For newcomers and neophytes, Digital Inspiration offers How to Do Stuff with Google Docs — an excellent primer that covers topics ranging from bulk-uploading Office documents to drag-and-drop Web clipping. Here’s a sample:
Q: How do I associate the common Office file extensions like doc/xls/ppt with Google Docs so that desktop documents open directly in the web browser?
A: Get the Google Toolbar for Firefox and select the ‘Google Docs’ checkbox from Toolbar options. This will let you open Office documents directly in the browser, bypassing Microsoft Office.
Q: I was checking mails on a mobile phone and a client sent me this PowerPoint presentation as an email attachment. My phone has no Office viewer so san I still view this presentation?
A: Sure. Just forward this email (with the attachment) to your Google Docs address. You’ll soon get an email back containing the link of your uploaded presentation that can be viewed in the mobile phone browser without requiring any Office viewer.
Good stuff, no? My favorite Google Docs “trick” is real-time document collaboration: I compose and edit a document while a co-worker does likewise — from across the country. What cool stuff have you learned to do with Google Docs? Enquiring commenters want to know.
