Google Docs is an incredibly powerful tool for creating and editing documents online. One feature that is often overlooked, but incredibly useful, is the ability to track your word count. This can be invaluable for anyone working on a project with specific word count requirements. In this blog post, we will dive into how to keep word count on Google Docs.
Accessing the Word Count Tool
To access the word count tool, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Open your document in Google Docs.
- Click on the Tools tab at the top of the page.
- From the dropdown menu, select Word count.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + C if you’re using a Windows computer, or Command + Shift + C if you’re on a Mac.
Understanding the Word Count Tool
Once you’ve opened the word count tool, a box will appear with the counts for pages, words, characters (without spaces), and characters (with spaces).
While the word count is self-explanatory, the character counts might need some explanation. “Characters (without spaces)” counts only the actual letters and numbers, not the spaces between them. “Characters (with spaces)” includes everything: letters, numbers, punctuation, and spaces.
Keeping the Word Count Tool Open
If you’re working on a document where you need to keep a constant eye on your word count, Google Docs has you covered. You can keep the word count box open as you work. To do this, once you’ve opened the word count box, simply check the box that says “Display word count while typing“.
This will keep the word count visible at the bottom left corner of your document as you type, saving you the trouble of constantly going back to the Tools menu to check your word count.
Conclusion
Keeping track of your word count on Google Docs is easy with the built-in word count tool. Whether you’re working on a school essay, a work report, or the next great novel, Google Docs makes it easy to ensure you’re staying within your desired word count.