Hey everyone,
I’m trying to figure out how to make all our Google Docs look the same without relying on templates. Right now, our team members just click ‘New doc’ and start typing. It’s quick, but it means everyone’s docs look different.
We’ve got templates set up, but nobody uses them because it takes an extra step. What I really want is a way to set default fonts and headings for all new docs, so they’re consistent no matter who creates them.
Has anyone found a good way to do this? It would save us a ton of time on formatting. Any tips or tricks would be super helpful!
Thanks in advance for your help!
hey, u could try using google workspace add-ons. theres some that can auto-format docs when they’re created. might be worth checkin out. also, mayb set up a quick trainin session to show everyone how easy it is to use templates? sometimes ppl just need a lil push
I’ve tackled this issue before in my organization, and found a workaround that might help. While Google Docs doesn’t offer a native way to set default styles for all new documents, you can create a blank template with your preferred settings and make it the default for new docs.
Here’s how: Create a document with your desired fonts, headings, and styles. Then, go to your Google Drive settings and set this as the default template for new documents. This way, when team members click ‘New doc’, they’ll automatically get a document with your standardized appearance.
It’s not perfect, as it still requires some initial setup, but once done, it’s seamless for users. You might need to periodically remind staff about this change, but it’s been effective for maintaining consistency in our documentation.
I’ve been in a similar situation and found that a combination of education and automation works wonders. We set up a simple script using Google Apps Script that automatically applies our preferred styles to new documents. It runs in the background, so users don’t even notice it.
To implement this, you’ll need someone with basic coding skills. The script can be deployed as a trigger that fires whenever a new document is created in your organization’s Drive. It can set fonts, margins, heading styles, and even add a standardized header or footer.
In addition to the script, we held a short team meeting to explain the importance of consistent formatting and showed everyone how to use the new system. This two-pronged approach significantly improved our document consistency without disrupting anyone’s workflow.
It takes some initial setup, but it’s been a game-changer for us in terms of efficiency and professional appearance.