Things You Didn't Know About Google: Utilizing Your Gmail Account!

 

Did you think Google was just for e-mail and online researching? My friend, there are lots that Google can offer! Did you know you can create documents, spreadsheets, slides, forms, and drawings on Google Drive? It makes creating and sharing files so simple to use at your fingertips! These are great tools to use on a tablet or smartphone when you don't have access to your Microsoft Office programs on your desktop or laptop. So quick and easy! 

Creating new files and uploading files has to be my favorite feature. Everyone can benefit from it! Not everyone wants to lug around their laptops to meetings. Just whip out your trusty tablet or smartphone, create a a Google document, and voila! You're ready to take notes. It is a cloud-based system, so if you already have notes typed out and saved to your PC/Mac that you want to review later, you can simple upload your files to Google Drive, and it will be ready to be viewed when you need it! To create any of these documents click My Drive > New File > and select the type of file you want to make (as shown in above image).

Google Document

 Google Sheets

 Googles Slides

 Google Forms

 Google Drawings

What is the worse thing that could happen when you are creating a document? Your computer dies, and you didn't get to save it. Your internet crashes, and you didn't get to save it. You finished the document, your electricity goes out, and. You. Didn't. Get. To. Save it, noooooooooo! All is lost and you have to start over. *cries* Wait, no, it's okay because Google Drive will automatically save as you work! You don't need to File > Save. Genius? I think so, enough said!

You can also share these files instantly with others without the hassle of composing an email or transferring to another hard-drive. This is so awesome because it is common for students and businesses to work in groups, so this is a convenient way to make sure everyone receives the latest files. Here's the beauty of this little feature: It doesn't even matter if you have a Windows PC or Mac, Google Drive will cater to all! To Share, you are going to click your Folder > Share > Enter recipient's e-mail.

Like I said, I've been using Gmail pretty much since it was born. Playing around with the settings, I found a few things that made my Gmail account more me. I love that you can change the theme of your e-mail account. It adds color, fun, and personality. I picked the Cherry Blossom theme because I love pink. To change your theme, you are going to click the Settings Icon > Settings > Theme tab > Set theme.

Other great Gmail Setting features:

• Labels. In the settings, you can customize your e-mail labels. Folders you don't typically use can be hidden to reduce clutter on your dashboard. You can also create and edit folders to your preference.
• View all messages in a conversation at once. This is an especially helpful way to organize and declutter your e-mails in which you are corresponding back and forth. You will also be able to view the conversation in its entirety, which includes your responses as well. 
• Signature. You can add your name and appropriate info. here. Such as address, phone number, job title, and logo. This is convenient so you don't have to manually input the same information every time you send an e-mail. With this setting, it will automatically be there when you compose a message.

Here is a short video for six quick tips to master Google Drive, wow!

 6 Tips to Master Google Drive | YouTube

I hope you all found this post helpful, thanks for reading!

-Jen