Google Docs has become one of the most widely used tools for writing and sharing documents online. Whether you are preparing a report for work, a homework assignment or a simple personal letter, there may come a point where you need a printed copy. Thankfully, printing a Google document is quick and easy across most devices and browsers.
This article will guide you through the steps needed to print a Google Doc from a desktop computer, laptop or mobile device. It also covers how to adjust your printer settings to get the best results.
Printing a Google Document from a Computer
To print a document from Google Docs on a Windows PC or Mac, begin by opening the document in your browser. Make sure you are signed into your Google account and the document is open in editing or viewing mode.
Once the document is ready, click on ‘File’ in the top left corner of the Google Docs interface. From the drop-down menu, choose ‘Print’. This will bring up your browser’s print preview window. Here you can select your printer, set the number of copies and choose other settings such as page range, layout and paper size.
You can also use the shortcut key Ctrl + P on Windows or Command + P on Mac to open the print menu more quickly.
Adjusting Print Settings
In the print dialogue box, take a moment to review the preview. This shows you how the document will appear on paper. You can choose between portrait and landscape orientation, set margins and decide whether to print in colour or black and white.
If you only want to print certain pages, enter the page numbers in the ‘Pages’ field. For example, typing ‘1-3’ will print only the first three pages.
Make sure the correct printer is selected, particularly if you are in a shared office or using cloud printers. Once everything is set, click ‘Print’ to start the job.
Downloading as a PDF to Print Later
Sometimes you might prefer to save the document as a PDF first. This is useful if you want to send the file to a print shop or print it later from a different computer. To do this, go to ‘File’, then choose ‘Download’ and select ‘PDF Document (.pdf)’.
The file will download to your computer, where you can open it with your PDF viewer and print it using the standard print function.
Printing from a Mobile Device
If you are using the Google Docs app on an Android phone or iPhone, you can also print directly from the app. Open the document and tap the three dots in the top right corner. From the menu, tap ‘Share and export’ then choose ‘Print’.
This will open the print preview screen, where you can select a printer and change settings such as number of copies or page range. Make sure your phone is connected to a wireless printer via Wi-Fi or a compatible printing service like AirPrint or Google Cloud Print.
Common Issues and Solutions
If your document does not print correctly, check your printer connection first. Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the network. If nothing prints, try downloading the document as a PDF and printing it from there instead.
Some formatting issues may appear when printing from a browser. To avoid this, use the print preview to check the layout. Adjust margins, font size or page breaks in the document if needed.
If your document includes images or tables that are not printing properly, downloading and printing the PDF version can sometimes fix display issues.
Final Thoughts
Printing a Google document is a simple process whether you are working from a computer or mobile device. By using the built-in print function or saving as a PDF, you can ensure your document looks professional on paper. Always double-check your settings and use the preview to avoid wasting paper or ink. With just a few clicks, your Google Doc can go from digital to printed with ease.