You can do that with Docs, Slides, and Sheets?!

I recently had the privilege to present a session for Google's series of "Did You Know?" webinars. These are a collection of 8 sessions covering a wide range of Google tools for schools. 

You can learn more about the entire "Did You Know?" series in my earlier blog post here: Free Google Webinars - "Did You Know" Series

For my first session I presented the following webinar:

You can do that with Docs, Slides, and Sheets?!

Description: We use Docs, Slides, and Sheets everyday, but may not be taking advantage of all the impactful features available. In this session we will explore many of their lesser-known features such as default font, video previews, embedded Drawings, maximizing space, live captions, publishing to the web, splitting text, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and more!

See below to watch the recorded webinar, as well as access the session slideshow and resources.

▶️ Recorded Webinar (34 minutes)

Or watch on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agfT754Q4XQ

🧰 Resources

• Session Slideshow - Google Slides link
• Engaging ELA Activities with Google Docs - bit.ly/curts-eladocs
• Beyond the Slideshow: Google Slides Activities - bit.ly/curts-slides
• Google Sheets Activities for all Subjects - bit.ly/curts-sheets
• Analyzing Student Data with Sheets - bit.ly/curts-data

📄 Topic #1 - Google Docs Tips

Setting Your Default Font

You can set the default font style for any new document you create.

• Format text the way you want it.
• Select text.
• Click "Normal text" and "Update normal text to match".
• Click "Normal text" again, then "Options" then "Save as my default styles".

Video Previews

You can watch YouTube videos in a pop-up window inside Google Docs.

• Add a YouTube link to your Google Doc (as hyperlink or "chip").
• Click on or hover over the link to see a video thumbnail.
• Click on "Open preview" to watch the video in a pop-up window.
• The video can be resized as needed.

Embedded Drawings

You can embed interactive Google Drawings in a Doc, such as a graphic organizer.

• Click "Insert" then "Drawing" then "New".
• Create your Drawing or copy and paste from an existing Drawing.
• Click "Save and Close".
• You can now double-click on the embedded Drawing to open and edit as needed.

🖼️ Topic #2 - Google Slides Tips

Maximizing Space

You can maximize the space in Google Slides for interactive activities.

• Hide the speaker notes.
• Hide the filmstrip.
• Hide the menu.
• Go fullscreen.

Live Captions

You can have your spoken words displayed live as subtitles during a presentation.

• Start the presentation as normal.
• Click the 3-dots button in the bottom left.
• Click "Captions preferences" then "Toggle captions".
• You can also adjust "Text position" and "Text size".

Publishing to the Web

You can share a link for your presentation that opens it in full-screen presentation mode.

• Click "File" then "Publish to the web".
• Click "Publish" in the pop-up window, and click "OK".
• Copy the link that is created.
• Share this link with others so they can view the slideshow in full-screen presentation mode.

📊 Topic #3 - Google Sheets Tips

Splitting Text to Columns

You can easily split text into multiple columns such as separating a full name.

• Insert extra blank columns as needed to hold the data.
• Select the column to split.
• Click "Data" then "Split text to columns".
• Select your separator.
• Your data will be split!

Conditional Formatting

You can automatically color data based upon conditions such as grade values.

• Select the data you want to format.
• Click "Format" then "Conditional Formatting".
• Create your format rule.
• Select your formatting style.
• Click "Done".

Pivot Tables

You can use pivot tables to summarize complex data.

• Select the data you want to summarize.
• Click "Insert" then "Pivot Table" then "Create".
• In the pivot table editor add your "Rows", "Columns", "Values", and "Filters" as needed.

Post by Eric Curts

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