Google Docs Word Count: A Handy Tool for Writers

Are you struggling to keep track of your word count in Google Docs? Fear not, it’s a simple process that can be completed in a few clicks. After reading this brief overview, you’ll be able to find and understand the word count of your document quickly and easily, ensuring you stay within any word limits and keep your writing concise.

Google Docs Word Count Tutorial

Before diving into the steps to find the word count, let’s talk about why this is beneficial. Knowing the word count is crucial for students working on essays, writers adhering to article length requirements, or professionals crafting business reports. It helps to ensure that your document meets the requirements set by your teacher, editor, or boss.

Step 1: Open your Google Doc

Open the document you want to check the word count for.

Step 2: Click on “Tools”

In the top menu, click on the “Tools” option.

When you click on “Tools” in the Google Docs menu, a dropdown list will appear with various options to enhance your document. The tool we’re interested in is ‘Word count,’ which is usually found halfway down the list.

Step 3: Select “Word count” from the dropdown menu

Click on “Word count” in the dropdown menu to open the word count window.

Once you click on “Word count,” a small window will pop up displaying the number of pages, words, characters, and characters excluding spaces in your document. This is useful because different scenarios might require you to know different types of counts. For instance, some might only be interested in the pure word count, whereas others might need to know the character count for a more precise measurement.

After completing these steps, you’ll have a clear understanding of the length of your document. The word count window is easy to access and read, making it a handy tool for writers of all sorts.

Tips for Managing Google Docs Word Count

• Remember that headers, footers, and footnotes are included in the total word count.
• You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+C (Cmd+Shift+C on Mac) to open the word count window quickly.
• If you need to keep an eye on your word count constantly, you can select the checkbox ‘Display word count while typing’ in the word count window to keep it visible.
• Google Docs also counts words in tables, so be sure to factor this in if your document includes tables.
• The word count tool does not include words in text boxes, so if you’re using those, you’ll need to count those words separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is Google Docs’ word count?

Google Docs word count is very accurate. It counts every word in the main body of the document, including those in tables.

Does Google Docs word count update in real-time?

Yes, if you select ‘Display word count while typing,’ the word count will update as you write or edit the document.

Can I exclude headings and titles from the word count?

No, Google Docs includes all text in the main body, including headings and titles, in the word count.

Is there a limit on how many words Google Docs can count?

Google Docs can handle and accurately count documents that are up to 1.02 million characters long, which is a lot of words!

Does the word count feature work on the Google Docs mobile app?

Yes, the word count feature is available on the Google Docs mobile app, and the process is similar to the desktop version.

Summary

1. Open your Google Doc.
2. Click on “Tools.”
3. Select “Word count” from the dropdown menu.

Conclusion

There you have it, a simple and straightforward guide to finding out the word count in Google Docs. It’s a feature that might seem minor, but it’s incredibly useful for anyone who writes. Whether you’re a student trying to hit a word target for an assignment, a writer ensuring your article fits within the specified length, or a professional fine-tuning a report, the word count tool is there to keep you on track. And the best part? It’s built right into Google Docs, so there’s no need for external software or additional tools.

As we continue to rely on digital tools for our writing needs, it’s essential to familiarize ourselves with these features that can make our work easier and more efficient. So next time you’re working on a document in Google Docs, give the word count feature a try and see just how handy it can be. Happy writing!