How to Format Text in Google Docs

Google Docs has become one of the most popular word-processing tools in the world. Whether you are a student, blogger, freelancer, or business professional, chances are you use Google Docs regularly to create documents, reports, articles, or proposals. One of the most important skills to master in Google Docs is text formatting.

Proper text formatting not only makes your document look professional but also improves readability, structure, and clarity. From changing fonts and colors to applying headings, spacing, and styles, Google Docs offers powerful yet easy-to-use formatting tools.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to format text in Google Docs step by step, from basic formatting options to advanced text styling features.

What Is Text Formatting in Google Docs?

Text formatting refers to changing the appearance of text without altering its meaning. In Google Docs, formatting allows you to:

  • Change font style and size

  • Make text bold, italic, or underlined

  • Apply headings and paragraph styles

  • Adjust alignment and spacing

  • Add color, highlights, and indentation

  • Organize content using lists and sections

Good formatting helps your document look clean, professional, and easy to read.

How to Select Text in Google Docs

Before applying any formatting, you need to select text.

  • Select a word: Double-click the word

  • Select a sentence: Triple-click anywhere in the sentence

  • Select a paragraph: Click and drag across the paragraph

  • Select all text: Press Ctrl + A (Windows) or Cmd + A (Mac)

Once selected, you can apply any formatting option.

How to Change Font Style in Google Docs

Google Docs offers a wide range of fonts.

Steps:

  1. Select the text

  2. Click the Font dropdown in the toolbar

  3. Choose a font (Arial, Times New Roman, Roboto, etc.)

Add More Fonts:

  • Click More fonts at the top of the font list

  • Browse or search for fonts

  • Click OK to add them

👉 Tip: For professional documents, use simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Roboto.

How to Change Font Size

Steps:

  1. Highlight the text

  2. Use the + / − buttons in the toolbar

  3. Or type a number directly (e.g., 12, 14, 18)

Recommended Sizes:

  • Body text: 11–12

  • Headings: 14–18

  • Titles: 20–26

How to Make Text Bold, Italic, or Underlined

These are the most common text formatting options.

Toolbar Buttons:

  • B – Bold

  • I – Italic

  • U – Underline

Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • Bold: Ctrl + B

  • Italic: Ctrl + I

  • Underline: Ctrl + U

Use bold to emphasize important points and italics for subtle emphasis.

How to Change Text Color in Google Docs

You can change the color of your text for emphasis or design.

Steps:

  1. Select the text

  2. Click the Text color (A) icon

  3. Choose a color or click Custom

👉 Avoid using too many colors; consistency improves readability.

How to Highlight Text

Highlighting adds a background color behind text.

Steps:

  1. Select the text

  2. Click the Highlight color icon

  3. Choose a color

Highlighting is useful for notes, key points, or revisions.

How to Use Headings in Google Docs

Headings help structure your document and improve navigation.

Steps:

  1. Select text

  2. Click Normal text in the toolbar

  3. Choose:

    • Heading 1 – Main title

    • Heading 2 – Section headings

    • Heading 3 – Subsections

Why Headings Matter:

  • Improve readability

  • Help with SEO

  • Enable document outline and navigation

How to Align Text in Google Docs

Text alignment controls how text is positioned on the page.

Alignment Options:

  • Left align

  • Center align

  • Right align

  • Justify

Steps:

  1. Select text

  2. Click the desired alignment icon

👉 Left alignment is best for long text and articles.

How to Adjust Line Spacing

Line spacing affects how much space appears between lines.

Steps:

  1. Select text

  2. Click Line & paragraph spacing

  3. Choose:

    • 1.0

    • 1.15

    • 1.5

    • 2.0

You can also:

  • Add space before paragraph

  • Add space after paragraph

How to Create Bulleted and Numbered Lists

Lists make information easier to read.

Steps:

  1. Select text

  2. Click:

    • Bulleted list

    • Numbered list

Tips:

  • Press Enter to add a new item

  • Press Tab to create a sub-list

  • Press Shift + Tab to move back

How to Indent Text

Indentation is useful for quotes and structured content.

Steps:

  1. Select text

  2. Click Increase indent or Decrease indent

You can also adjust indentation using the ruler at the top.

How to Clear Formatting in Google Docs

Sometimes copied text has unwanted formatting.

Steps:

  1. Select text

  2. Click Format → Clear formatting

Shortcut:

  • Ctrl + \

This resets text to default formatting.

How to Use the Format Menu

The Format menu offers advanced options.

Common Options:

  • Text styles

  • Paragraph styles

  • Line spacing

  • Columns

  • Drop caps

  • Clear formatting

Explore this menu for greater control.

How to Apply Styles Consistently

Google Docs allows you to update styles.

Steps:

  1. Format text the way you want

  2. Select it

  3. Click Heading → Update heading to match

This keeps formatting consistent throughout your document.

How to Format Text Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts save time.

Useful Shortcuts:

  • Bold: Ctrl + B

  • Italic: Ctrl + I

  • Underline: Ctrl + U

  • Clear formatting: Ctrl + \

  • Increase font size: Ctrl + Shift + >

  • Decrease font size: Ctrl + Shift + <

How to Use Columns for Text Formatting

Columns are useful for newsletters or brochures.

Steps:

  1. Select text

  2. Click Format → Columns

  3. Choose one, two, or three columns

How to Use Superscript and Subscript

Used in math, science, and references.

Steps:

  1. Select text

  2. Click Format → Text

  3. Choose Superscript or Subscript

How to Format Quotes in Google Docs

For block quotes:

  • Increase indent

  • Use italics

  • Add line spacing

This visually separates quotes from main text.

Best Practices for Text Formatting in Google Docs

  • Keep fonts simple and readable

  • Use headings for structure

  • Avoid excessive colors

  • Maintain consistent spacing

  • Use formatting to guide the reader, not distract them

Common Formatting Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using too many fonts

  • Overusing bold or highlights

  • Inconsistent heading styles

  • Poor spacing and alignment

Final Thoughts

Learning how to format text in Google Docs is essential for creating professional, readable, and well-structured documents. Whether you’re writing a blog post, report, assignment, or business proposal, good formatting improves both appearance and communication.

By mastering fonts, headings, spacing, alignment, and styles, you can turn plain text into a polished document that stands out.

Once you get comfortable with these tools, formatting in Google Docs becomes fast, easy, and second nature.

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