Google Chat is a great way to communicate with others. It’s fast, easy to use, and can be used for a variety of purposes. One of the benefits of using Google Chat is that you can collaborate on documents. You can easily create and share documents with others by using Google Chat. Here are some tips on how to collaborate and create documents in Google Chat:
- Use the chat tool to start a conversation. When you start a conversation, you’ll be able to see all of the people in your chat room. This will help you find people who are interested in what you’re saying and might be able to help with your document project.
- Use the search bar to find documents that need attention. The search bar is located at the top of your chat window. Type in a term or phrase and hit return (or type “?” for help). You’ll then see all of the documents that match that term or phrase.
- Share files using Google Sheets or Google Docs. If you’re sharing files using Google Sheets or Google Docs, make sure that they’re saved as PDFs or DOCs so that other people can easily access them without having to open them up in their browsers!
Collaborating on a document in Google Chat saves you time and a couple of steps. With a simple click, you can create a Docs, Sheets, or Slides document and work on it together right in a Google Chat room.
Create a Document in Google Chat
You can use either the Google Chat website or Google Chat in Gmail to create your document. Head to one of these websites and visit the Chat room where you want to collaborate.
To the right of the message box, click the Create New Document icon. Choose Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides.
In the pop-up window, give your document a name and click “Share.” Remember, you’ll be sharing this document with everyone in the room.
Make note of the statement in the window, which explains that the document will be saved to Google Drive, sent to the room, and made available for editing by room members.
Next, you’ll see the Google Chat room slide over to make room for the Docs or Sheets document on the right. If you create a Google Slides document, this will open in a new tab.
Others in the room will see the document almost instantly. They can then click to open it right within the chat.
You can work on the document in real-time with the other room members. Move your cursor over the colored areas to see who’s working on what.
Changes are saved automatically, just like when you work with a document on the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides websites.
To close the document, click the “X” at the top right, and you’ll return to your full Google Chat room window.
Reopen the Google Chat Document
If you exit Google Chat and want to reopen that document, there are a few easy ways to do so.
Head back to the room containing the document. You can click the document to open it in the chat just like before. You can also open it in a new tab, which takes you to the document on the Docs, Sheets, or Slides site.
Alternatively, you can open the document in Google Drive. If you’re the one who created the document, you’ll find it in My Drive. If someone else created the document, you’ll find it in the Shared With Me section of Google Drive.
Regardless of where you open the document, all edits will be saved like with any other Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides document.
Access the Chat Document on Your Mobile Device
You can’t create a document in the Google Chat or Gmail mobile apps (as of this writing in June of 2021), but you can open a document that was created in a room.
Open either Google Chat or Gmail (with Chat enabled) on your device. Visit the room and tap the document. It will then open in the Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides app.
If you have Google Drive on your mobile device, you’ll find the document there, too, as described above.
Want to meet with your team later to work on those documents? Get everyone together by scheduling a Google Calendar meeting right from Google Chat.
