9 Tips for Creating Reports on Google Docs

Quick Findings:

• Google Docs is a powerful tool for writing reports, and using any of its report templates makes a presentation more impactful.
• Adding customized headers makes essential parts of your report stand out.
• You should start by customizing the page and using the perfect orientation and colors for the report.
• There are also other Google Docs alternatives available if you need more options for advanced Word Processing.

Tip 1. Use a Template

Templates are predesigned and easily customizable. They are a good starting point if you need to create a complex document.

1. Go to docs.google.com to begin.
2. Once you are in Google Docs, you must select a template. To see more template options, click the arrow next to the Template gallery.
   
3. Once you do this, scroll down and select a template for Reports in the Education section.
   
4. These ready-made templates can save you time and energy and serve as a starting point for your report.

2. Customize Margins and Page Orientation

With margins, you can determine how much or what percentage of a page you will fill up.

1. Open the document, click on File at the top left corner of your screen then scroll down and select Page setup.
   
2. On the next menu, you can change the orientation from Portrait to Landscape and also adjust the margins by inputting a different number.
3. Click OK to complete the process.
   
4. This is how you can easily customize margins and page orientation.

3. Use Headings and Styles

Headings help break your document into subject sections. You can style the different headings using different colors, fonts, etc.

1. Open the document you are working on and go to the section where you want to apply the heading and style.
2. Input the text for your heading and highlight it.
   
3. Next, click on the Styles section at the top and choose a heading you want.
   
4. Select a Font style of your choice.
   

4. Use Headings, Subheadings, and Styles

1. Open the document you are working on and go to the section where you want to apply the heading and style.
2. Input the text for your heading and highlight it.
   
3. Next, click on the Styles section at the top and choose a heading you want.
   
4. From the list, you can choose the subheading of your choice.

5. Make Use of the Table of Content

For a large document, a table of contents makes it scannable and helps the reader easily identify where important details are.

1. Go to the document you are working on.
2. Navigate to the content of your document, place your cursor on the first letter of the page, and press Ctrl + Enter to create a page break.
   
3. Take your cursor to the page break you created, click on Insert at the top of your screen, go down and select Table of contents then choose an option.
   
4. Once you do this, you should see a new option on the page.
   
5. Next, select the first heading of your document, and press Ctrl + alt + 1 to apply heading. If you do not like the size, you can edit it.
   
6. Now click on Format at the top of your screen, go to Paragraph styles, select Heading 1, then click on Update ‘Heading 1’ to match.
   
7. Once you do this, highlight every other heading and press Ctrl + alt + 1 to apply the same heading.
8. Next, go back to the page where you created the table contents option, click on it, then click on the refresh icon.
   
9. Once you do this, you should get a table of contents for your document.
   

6. Incorporate Images and Charts

Using charts and images, you may make your document come to life, telling more beautiful stories and allowing the reader new ways of consuming the content.

1. Open the document you are working on and navigate to where the chart will appear.
2. After doing this, click Insert at the top of your page, hover your mouse on Charts, and choose the type of chart you want. You can also insert charts from Sheets.
   
3. You can edit this chart later, depending on your preference.
   

7. Use Headers and Footers

The top and bottom parts of the pages can be designated headers with page numbers and other important elements.

1. To open a header, double-click at the top of the document.
   
2. To close the header, simply click out of it.
3. Opening a footer follows the same process. Double-click at the bottom of the document.
   
4. To exit the footer, click outside it.

8. Include Comments for Collaboration

You should use comments if multiple people are working on the same document. This passes valuable information to collaborators and is a great way of doing real-time work.

1. You can permit others to make comments and suggestions to your document by clicking on the pencil icon at the top right corner of your screen and selecting Suggesting.
   
2. This will allow others to comment on your work, and you can decide to accept or reject the suggestions.

9. Export Reports in Different Formats

1. Open the document you are working on.
2. Select File from the top tab, click Download, and choose the format you want.
   
3. Your document will come out in the file format you choose.