Do you use headings in your larger documents? You’re probably wondering why you should, I mean they are just formatting aren’t they? Yes and no, let me explain why and how to add headings to Google Docs.
What are Headings?
Like other posts, it seems a good idea to start with the ‘what’, instead of jumping straight into the ‘how’.
As a general idea, headings are mostly used for text and paragraph formatting.
It allows you to split up your text, signposting the different topics, and creating sections within the document.
Although not Google Docs, you can see that I’ve got headings in most (if not all) of my posts.
They are generally larger text, and look different.
As they stand out, it makes it easier to scan through and find the section with the information that you want.
Now in Google Docs, headings not only do the same thing, but they can also help you (as the writer) to move around your document.
How to Add Standard Headings
What do I mean standard headings?
Well, all word-processers that I’ve seen and used have pre-built options for Headings, and Google Docs is no different.
All of your text in a file has a style assigned to it.
The basic one is ‘Normal text’ that specifies what font is being used, the size and colour, plus other options.
As you look on the toolbar, you’ll see a button for the styles, with a drop-down list. It’s this ‘style’ list that includes the heading styles.
Personally, I prefer to type the text in, and then apply the formatting.
The alternative is to apply the style and then type in your text – just remember to return the style to the normal version, otherwise your whole document could be a heading. 😅
Select your text, and click on the Styles button, to see a list of the built in options.
Simply click on the level that you want to use, from 1 for your top titles, down to 3.
Note: You’ll see Title and Subtitle as options as well, use these for the document title/subtitle, especially if you plan to add a table of contents.
Your text will change to match the selected formatting.
(Do you know how hard it is to explain this, without using the word ‘style’ all the time! 😁)
Customising a Style
We all have our own look when it comes to our documents, and of course you want things to match.
An easy way to do this is to
- First apply the heading style that you want
- Now make any formatting changes that you want (to the text)
- Select the text (you can also just click within the text)
- Click on the Style list
- Hover over the Heading/Style name
- It expands to show a sub-menu
- Click on the option ‘Update <style name> to match’
The style (in the drop-down list) will now change to match the selected formatting (both text and paragraph).
And (more usefully), all of the text with this style applied will be updated to match the new formatting as well. 😊
Using Headings to Move Around
Here’s a really useful reason to apply the heading styles.
You’ve got a large documents – and you have to move around it.
Sure, you can scroll up and down, or search for titles, but would it be easier to have your sections on screen and click to ‘jump’ down (or up) to them?
That’s where the Document Outline options comes in useful.
Click on the ‘paper’ icon on the left-hand side (outside of the page), to display it.
The headings make up the outline that’s displayed on the left-hand side (replacing the icon).
Click on the text to move between the headings.
You can also, of course, see the ‘whole outline’ of your document in a glance (or two), so see if it makes sense and flows.
Hide the Document Outline
If you don’t want to see the outline, hide it by clicking on the arrow pointing left, above the word Summary.
On the other hand, if you don’t want this available to you, hide the command from the View menu.
Next Steps
Take a look at the related posts, and don’t forget to get your free copy of my Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts.
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