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How to Format Your Essay in MLA Style Using Google Docs

by Mel Beasley | Jan 23, 2021 | Academic Writing

Information is taken from the 8th edition MLA Handbook, latest version, 2022. 

MLA format was created by the Modern Language Association and is a widely used styling for research papers and academic essays. If you’re a college student, you’ll notice that MLA format is required in liberal arts and humanities subjects. 

Most professors will strongly recommend that you use Microsoft Word to format your essays, but some students might not have access to this paid software. If this is the case, it is possible to format your essay in MLA style correctly while using the free Google Docs app within your Gsuite. This guide will show you exactly how to format your essay properly in MLA style using Google Docs. This guide only covers the basics of formatting such as margins, spacing, etc., so please see our other resources for further MLA formatting guidelines

What will we cover?

  • Proper MLA font style and size
  • Margins and header
  • First-page title information
  • Body-paragraph spacing

1. Open your blank document

To get started with your essay, you’ll need to log in to your Gmail account. Once signed in, you should be looking at your email dashboard.

  • Look to your profile image and name at the top right.
  • Click on the squared dot icons to view your apps.
  • You should see “Docs” as one of your options.
  • Click on “Docs.”

mla format in google docs

2. Set the font and size

In MLA format, you may only use Times New Roman font at size 12. It’s understandable if you’re feeling the urge to get creative with styling but don’t. Stay focused on following the MLA style guidelines and you’ll save yourself valuable grade points later. 

When you open Google Docs, the font and size are set automatically, so make sure you manually make tweaks to these settings. Unlike MS Word, Google Docs only has one main view with all options listed in dropdowns. This simplicity should help you easily set up your document without getting lost.

How do you do it?

  • In Google Docs, you’ll see your font and size dropdowns slightly off-center left of the page.
  • Select Times New Roman .
  • Select size 12 .

essay google docs font

2. Set the margins in MLA format

MLA Style requires that your margins stay set to 1 inch around the entire page.

  • Click on File at the top left of the page.
  • Click on Page Setup.

essay google docs font

  • Next, you’ll see a popup appear in the middle of the screen.
  • Check to make sure all the boxes for the top, bottom, left, and right are set to 1 inch.

mla format in google docs

3. How to add your name and page number in Google Docs 2020

Properly formatting your essay in MLA Style using Google Docs has a few extra steps compared to doing the same thing in MS Word, but as long as you follow this guide, you shouldn’t have any issues making it happen. Keep in mind that not adding your name and page numbers to your document could count against your grade. This part of formatting is very easy to do, and it’s not worth losing grade points over, so don’t forget this step!

  • Select Insert.
  • Hover over Headers & Footers .
  • Select Header .

essay google docs font

  • A header section should appear.
  • Change your font to Times New Roman and your font size to 12 .
  • Make sure the box next to “Different first page” is unchecked or the header won’t show on every page.
  • Type your last name only and make a single space .

essay google docs font

  • Before navigating out of the header, you’ll need to insert the page number.
  • Select Insert again.
  • Hover over Page Numbers .
  • Select the first option .
  • When your page number appears in your header, you can simply select the middle of your page with your cursor to make the header changes stick.

essay google docs font

4. How to set double-spaced lines in Google Docs

MLA Style requires that all your body text be double-spaced. This helps your essay look cleaner and easier to read. 

  • Click on the Line Spacing icon.
  • In the dropdown, select Double . 

essay google docs font

5. How to set name and title information

The name, assignment type, date, and essay title are the first things your professor sees in your essay because they’re at the top of the first page.

Before you begin writing the first draft of your essay, go ahead and enter the name, course, and date information. MLA Format requires a very specific setup for how this information is listed in your essay. You should list your first and last name, the professor’s name, the course number, and the date all on designated lines. This information should be neatly aligned to the left of the page. 

How do you format your name and course info in MLA Format?

  • You’ll need the first page of your MLA Style essay to contain your name , professor’s name , course number , and the date in that order. 
  • Align the essay information to the left of the page.
  • Hit Enter once before writing your essay title in the Center of the page.  
  • Hit Enter once, Align Left , and tab over a half-inch before you begin writing your essay text.

The finished title information should look like this:

mla format in google docs

Not sure how to set your indent to a half-inch in Google Docs?

Google docs should already have your half-inch indentation automatically set, but here’s how to do it just in case.

  • Select Format .
  • Hover over Align & Indent .
  • Select Indentation Options .

essay google docs font

  • You’ll see a popup appear in the center of the screen.
  • Enter .5 in the box beside Left .
  • Hit Apply .

mla format in google docs

That’s all there is to properly set up your essay in MLA Format using Google Docs. Good luck!

Mel Beasley

Mel Beasley has a bachelor’s in creative writing and journalism from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He brings 9+ years of digital marketing and writing experience to the table by writing for publications such as Lumina News and Encore Magazine. He spent 2 years as a college-level writing tutor, and is a certified writing tutor through the CRLA, which is a prestigious cert recognized by the Association for the Coaching & Tutoring Profession. He is a professional SEO blogger with experience writing for brands such as Boardworks Education and The Greater Wilmington Business Journal. One of his latest website and marketing projects has been building the website for the now New York Times Bestselling author, Nina de Gramont .

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Technical How-tos, Tips, and Tricks

The best fonts for writing documents in google docs, the importance of choosing a font, must-have fonts for docs, open sans, ideal for formal cards, roboto, to view documents on mobile, source sans pro, sleek and slim, merriweather, for polished and elegant writing, inter, improves readability in lowercase, comic neue, the sophisticated brother of comic sans, bodoni moda, a timeless classic, how to add them to google docs.

Adding any typeface is very simple, since Google has compatibility with thousands of them. It will only be necessary to create a new blank document and then click on the “Fonts” drop-down button. This will open a list with a large number available so we can select any of those that are installed by default depending on our needs.

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How to Make Google Docs Aesthetic: A Full Guide (Fonts, Colors & More)

Google Docs is packed with handy features, but let’s face it — the standard look and feel can be a bit boring. Ditch the drab and create an aesthetic Google Doc with these nifty hacks! We’ll cover everything from changing the page color and background to creating word art and custom tables.

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Table of Contents

Page Orientation

Page colors, page background, images, gifs, and videos, aesthetic google docs templates.

Portrait orientation is the standard in Google Docs, but you can also switch to landscape or even go pageless.

To change your page orientation, click File in the top menu of your document, then click Page setup . Toggle the “Landscape” option to switch from portrait to landscape. From here, you can also update your page margins, paper size, and page background color (more on that in just a sec).

To go pageless, click Pageless at the top of the Page Setup pop-up box. Set your page background color, then click OK .

The pageless option is a great choice for an aesthetic Google Doc. When you switch to a pageless view, the gray areas you typically see on the left and right side of your document will disappear. You also won’t see any breaks between pages.

In your pageless document, you can also create more space for text, images, and other elements on the page by changing the text width. To do that, click View in the top menu of your document, then hover over Text width . Choose between Narrow, Medium, Wide, and Full.

Did you know you can change the page color in Google Docs? No need to stick with the boring default white page!

How to change the page color in Google Docs in 3 easy steps:

  • In the top menu, click File .
  • Click Page Setup .
  • Under Page color , click the dropdown box to select the page color.

If you’re not using a browser extension like Dark Reader, changing the page color is a great way to use Google Docs in dark mode.

Want to create a gradient background, or use multiple background colors in Google Docs? You can, using two different methods. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

Method #1: Paste Your Image

For this method, you’ll need to create your image in another app (like Canva), then upload it to Google Docs.

Here’s how to use an image as the page background in Google Docs:

  • Create your page background image in another app, like Canva or Procreate.
  • Upload your image to Google Docs by copying and pasting it into the page. (Alternatively, click Insert from the top menu, then hover over Image and choose an option.)
  • Resize your image so it fills the page completely.
  • Click the image, and set the text align to Behind text .
  • To the right of the text align options, click the drop-down box, and set the page position to Fix position on page .

Google Docs Page Background

Method #2: Add a Watermark

If you use the first method, you’ll notice that your background image won’t “lock”, which means that you might accidentally move it around when adding text or reformatting your document.

Adding a background image using Google Docs’ watermark option is a good way to ensure your image doesn’t move around when you’re working.

How to add a background image to a Google Doc using a watermark:

  • In the top menu of your document, click Insert .
  • Click Watermark .
  • In the right-hand sidebar that appears, click Select Image .
  • Upload the image you want to use as your page background.

Additional watermark customization options:

Once you’ve uploaded your watermark, you can customize your image to your liking in the right-hand sidebar. Here are your options:

  • Set the image scale (how big you want your background image to be).
  • Choose whether you want your image to be faded or not.
  • adjust the size and rotation
  • set the image position
  • recolor the image
  • adjust the transparency, brightness, and contrast

Add a Watermark to Google Docs

Fonts are an obvious way to make your Google Docs aesthetic.

Can you use custom fonts in Google Docs? Unfortunately, no — you can’t upload your own font files to Google Docs. (However, there is a handy workaround to this issue, which we’ll cover in the next section.)

Even though you can’t upload custom fonts, Google Docs offers hundreds of free fonts in a variety of styles, so there’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for.

To see all of Google’s fonts, click the font box in the top formatting ribbon, then click More fonts . From here, you can filter fonts by script and style (display, handwriting, monospace, serif, and sans serif). You can also sort fonts to see them in alphabetical or chronological order, or sort by popularity and trending.

Aesthetic Google Docs Fonts

We recommend checking out the handwritten and display fonts to see all the aesthetic options. Monospace fonts are also a great choice for a gamer-inspired or cyberpunk aesthetic.

How to Use Custom Fonts in Google Docs

As we mentioned, there is a workaround for using custom fonts in Google Docs. You can use a third-party design app, like Canva, to type the text you want to appear in your custom font. Then, simply download the image with a transparent background and paste it into Google Docs!

Here’s how to use custom fonts in Google Docs in 4 easy steps:

  • Create an image in a third-party app, like Canva or Procreate.
  • Select the font you want to use, then type your text and choose your text color.
  • Save the image with a transparent background.
  • Paste the image into Google Docs.

For the example below, we created an image in Canva using the Sensei font, which is not available in Google Docs. Check it out:

How to Use Custom Fonts in Google Docs

That’s it! Depending on the amount of text or formatting elements you’ve added to your doc, you may need to crop your image or change the text positioning to get it where you want it.

Unless you’re going for a minimalist aesthetic in your Google Doc, you’ll likely add some images to your document.

We’ve already covered some of the things you can do with images in Google Docs, but here are a few more nifty tricks for adding aesthetic images (and GIFs!) to your documents.

Search for Images Right in Google Docs

Did you know you can insert images from Google Image Search? In the top menu of your doc, click Insert , then hover over Image . Then, click Search the web and enter your query in the right-hand sidebar that appears.

Note that the results may not be as vast as regular Google Image Search, but it’s a handy way to save yourself a few clicks and keystrokes!

Add GIFs to Your Aesthetic Google Doc

Did you know you can add GIFs to Google Docs? While you won’t be able to upload them from your computer, you can add GIFs from a URL. Here’s how to do it:

  • In the top menu of your doc, click Insert , then hover over Image .
  • Click By URL .
  • Paste in the URL of the GIF you want to add.
  • Click Add image .

Add YouTube Videos to Google Docs

You can’t upload a video to Google Docs from your computer, but you can insert a YouTube video preview from a URL.

To add a video preview to Google Docs, simply paste in the URL of a YouTube video anywhere in your doc, then type a space after it to turn it into a hyperlink. Click the hyperlinked URL to open a small pop-up, then click Open preview .

Add YouTube Videos to Google Docs

This will not add the video into your document itself — instead, it will show the video in the bottom corner of your document, picture-in-picture style. You can resize the preview by clicking and dragging the dots in the top left corner of the preview window. The full video will play from the preview window.

Embed YouTube Video in Google Docs

Once you’ve added the video preview, you can safely erase the link you pasted in your doc earlier, and the preview will still be there until you close it. However, you can only preview one video at a time.

Recolor Your Images and GIFs

Recoloring an image in Google Docs will convert all the colors of an inserted image or GIF to the same shade of the color you choose. Recoloring is a great way to ensure a matching aesthetic and is especially handy for those who don’t want to use another app to alter their images.

Here’s how to recolor images in Google Docs:

  • Insert the image or GIF you want to recolor.
  • Click Image options in the top formatting toolbar.
  • Click Recolor in the sidebar that appears on the right.
  • Choose the color you want.

This method will only let you choose from a limited number of colors — you can’t add your own colors or HEX codes. If Google doesn’t offer the color you want, try using an app like Canva or Procreate to recolor your image instead.

Recolor Your Images and GIFs

Using tables is a great way to make Google Docs aesthetic. Tables are especially handy for Google Docs planner templates, letting you track everything from habits and tasks to nutrition and sleep.

The cells of tables in Google Docs have a transparent background by default. To change the background color of the cells in your table:

  • Right-click anywhere in your table.
  • Click Table properties.
  • Click Color .
  • Click the drop-down box to choose the background color.

From the Table properties menu, you can also change the color and width of your table border.

How to Update the Border of Individual Table Cells in Google Docs

In addition to changing the color and width of the border of your entire table, you can also update the color, width, and dash style of individual cell borders. Simply click the border you want to change, then adjust the border width and style from the formatting menu:

How to Update Google Docs Borders

Did you know you can draw in Google Docs? Here are just a few things you can do with Google Docs’ Drawing feature:

  • Write things down in your own handwriting.
  • Add lines and shapes.
  • Create Word Art with multi-color gradient fill and custom text borders.
  • Add text boxes.

How to Draw in Google Docs Using an iPad and Apple Pencil

Unfortunately, there’s currently no way to create a new drawing from the Google Docs mobile app. So if you want to draw using your tablet and stylus, you’ll need to use a workaround.

For this walkthrough, we’re using an iPad, a Macbook Pro, and an Apple Pencil. Apple lets you mirror or extend your display to your tablet, which is how you can draw in Google Docs using your iPad and Apple Pencil.

  • On your Mac, open System Settings , then click Displays . Make sure your iPad is nearby.
  • In the top right-hand corner, click the drop-down next to the + sign.
  • Under Mirror or extend to , click your iPad.
  • On your Mac, open your aesthetic Google Doc in a new browser window. (Before moving on to step 5, you may want to zoom out of the Google Doc window to ensure you can see the full drawing canvas.)
  • Drag the window over to your iPad.
  • On the Google Doc open on your iPad, click Insert , then Drawing , then New .

From here, you can use your Apple Pencil to add lines or scribbles, which let you write in your own handwriting. (To add a scribble, tap the line icon next to the mouse icon in the Google Docs Drawing window, then tap Scribble at the bottom of the drop-down.)

Google Docs Drawings

You can adjust the color and width of your scribbles to your liking. As you can see from our iPad screenshot of the extended Mac display, the scribbles aren’t as neat as those you’d get in Apple Notes and Freeform, even with the Apple Pencil.

When you’re finished with your drawing, tap Save and close in the top right corner of the drawing window.

We briefly talked about shapes in the previous section, but we wanted to expand on them since there’s so much you can do with them.

Shapes let you add aesthetic backgrounds to your text in Google Docs. To add a shape, you’ll first need to create a new drawing by clicking Insert > Drawing > New .

In the pop-up window, click the circle and square icon in the top menu, then hover over each option to see all shapes in that category.

Once you’ve chosen your shape, click and drag your cursor on the canvas to create it. Using the formatting options in the menu at the top, you can change the fill and stroke color of the shape, as well as the border style and width.

Google Docs Shapes

You can even add a multi-color gradient fill to a shape. To add a custom gradient, click Gradient, then click the + to customize your gradient. You can add or remove colors from your gradient, and you can also change the angle gradient and type.

Shapes in Google Docs

You can add a text box over a shape to make your text pop. Once you’ve created your shape, simply click the text box icon to the right of the shape icon to add your text box. Highlight the text, then use the formatting toolbar to change the font, alignment, text size, and text color. (Hint: You may need to click the menu icon [⋯] at the end of the toolbar to see all of the formatting options.)

Text Box Preview in Google Docs

Once you’ve customized your shape, click Save and close to add it. To edit your shape, simply double-click it.

Gradient Shapes in Google Docs

Using Google Docs’ drawing tool, you can also create word art! This lets you add a fill color and stroke to your text

Create a new drawing by clicking Insert > Drawing > New . Or, double-click an existing drawing to edit it. To add word art to Google Docs, click the Actions drop-down box on the far left of the formatting toolbar. Then, click Word art .

Google Docs Word Art

Type the text you’d like to appear in your word art, then type Enter . If you want to add a line break, hold down your Shift key, then press Enter in the text editing window to create a line break.

Use the formatting toolbar to edit the font, text size, text color, stroke color, and stroke style of your word art. (Pro tip: You can even add a gradient fill to your word art!)

Click and drag a corner of the word art box to resize the text. This may cause it to stretch — if you don’t want to stretch the word art, hold down your Shift key when resizing to keep the text width and height the same.

You can also move your word art to ensure it’s perfectly aligned in the center of your shape. Just drag it the box until you see two intersecting red lines that end at the edges of your shape.

When you’re finished adding your word art to your Google Doc, click Save and close . To edit it, double-click the shape to reopen the drawing screen.

Adding Text to Word Art

Headings make it easy to navigate a long document. To create a heading in Google Doc, simply type some text, highlight it, then click “Normal text” in the formatting menu of your doc. Then, just select the heading you want from the drop-down box.

Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts to create a new heading:

  • Cmd + Option + 1: Create or turn text into a Heading 1
  • Cmd + Option + 2: Create or turn text into a Heading 2
  • Cmd + Option + 3: Create or turn text into a Heading 3

Aesthetic Headings in Google Docs

To change the font family, size, color, and formatting of a heading, simply highlight your heading, then update the formatting to your heart’s content. Once you’re finished, with the text still highlighted, click the heading menu again. Hover over the heading style you’ve applied to your highlighted text, then click Update heading to match.

Now, whenever you create that type of heading, your formatting changes will automatically be applied.

Changing Heading Font in Google Docs

Symbols and Emojis

Add symbols and emojis throughout your Google Doc to truly complete your aesthetic. Here are a few hacks for using special characters and emojis in Docs.

There are 2 main ways you can use symbols in Google Docs: inserting them from Google’s “Symbols” menu, or by copying and pasting your symbols from a fancy text generator. Here’s a quick look at how to do both.

Symbols in Google Docs

To insert a symbol in Google Docs, click Insert from the top menu of your document, then click Special characters. This will open up a pop-up box of all Google’s symbols. Alternatively, you can draw your own symbol.

Symbols in Google Docs

The left drop-down box in the symbols pop-up lets you choose from symbols, emojis, punctuation, or different types of scripts (like Middle Eastern or Han). The right drop-down box lets you filter all of Google’s symbols and emojis by category, showing you everything from arrows and emoticons to currency and math symbols.

Aesthetic Google Docs Symbols

For an aesthetic Google Doc, we recommend checking out the symbols in these categories:

  • Stars/Asterisks
  • Miscellaneous

Fancy Text Generators

The other way to add symbols that Google Docs doesn’t offer is by copying and pasting them from a fancy text generator, like LingoJam .

Simply type your text, then copy the option you like best. Some of these options come complete with borders featuring special characters.

Fancy Text Generator for Google Docs

Sure, you could spend hours creating your own aesthetic Google Doc. Or you could take a shortcut and download a pre-made template instead! Check out some of our favorite templates below.

For more templates, check out our full round-up of 20+ aesthetic Google Docs templates !

Ready to make these templates your own? Let’s do this! To get started, simply head to the top left corner and select “File”. From there, choose “Make a copy” and voila! You can now give your document a personalized name and choose where you want it saved. Time to get creative!

How to Make Google Docs Template

Gradient Digital Planner

Template Available Here

Gradient Digital Planner

Sophisticated Photo Resume Template

Sophisticated Photo Resume Template

Blue Aesthetic Weekly Budget

Blue Aesthetic Weekly Budget

Have you used any of these Google Docs hacks to create your own aesthetic document? Share your favorite tips in the comments with us below!

Gridfiti is supported by its audience – when you buy something using the retail links in our posts, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.  Read more  about our affiliate disclaimer.

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15 Best Aesthetic Fonts on Google Docs

  • Last updated May 22, 2023

Creating an eye-catching document in Google Docs can be a daunting task. With so many font styles to choose from, it’s head-cracking to decide which can make your document extra exciting to read.

Why not try out some of the best aesthetic fonts on Google Docs?

In this article, we’ve curated a list of the top Google Docs fonts that are sure to captivate your readers and keep their eyes glued to your content. Whether you’re writing a formal report, a casual blog post, or a personal letter, these aesthetic fonts can add style, elegance, and a personal touch to your work.

Table of Contents

1. Josefin Sans

Aesthetic fonts on Google Docs—Sample text using Josefin Sans font

Josefin Sans is one of the most versatile sans serif fonts in Google Docs , featuring a simple yet stylish typeface. Whether you’re working on a formal document or a casual letter, this font makes your content neat, classy, and easier to read.

When used for headings and body text in your documents, Josefin Sans adds an aesthetic touch, making your content visually pleasing while maintaining readability.

Sample text using Lobster font

Indulge in your love of calligraphy with Lobster, a captivating cursive typeface. It’s perfect for emphasizing quotations, inspirational messages, or even casual greetings.

The thick downward strokes of each letter add a distinctive flair to the text, capturing people’s attention. Additionally, the continuous flow of letters within each word creates a playful and lively impression, infusing your content with character and charm.

3. Pacifico

Sample text using Pacifico font

Among the coolest fonts in Google Docs , Pacifico stands out as the most playful and laid-back option. Its loose cursive typeface makes it a great choice for informal documents that aim to convey a casual and jovial tone.

While it may not be the most stylish or elegant font, it compensates with exceptional readability, ensuring readers can easily understand your content.

4. Vollkom SC

Sample text using Vollkom SC font

The letters of Vollkorn SC exhibit a blend of thick and thin lines, resulting in an elegant aesthetic for the text. It is considered one of the best Google Docs fonts , making it suitable for various sections of a document, including headings, subheadings, and body content.

Being a serif font, Vollkorn SC is particularly effective at conveying a sense of professionalism in formal documents.

5. Spectral

Sample text using Spectral font

Another serif font that can add aesthetic appeal to formal documents is Spectral. Its letters have a consistent thickness, which improves the readability of your content. If you’re writing a newsletter, academic texts, or research proposals, Spectral is one of the best fonts on Google Docs to exude a stylish yet professional tone.

6. Quintessential

Sample text using Quintessential font

Quintessential has the enchanting ability to make your text feel like it’s from a fairytale. The letters are written in a way that mimics ancient English texts, making it the perfect choice if you’re writing a medieval or fantasy fiction book in Google Docs. You can also use Quintessential for your novel’s epigraph to evoke a sense of epicness in your content.

However, it’s important to note that Quintessential is not readily available in the default font selection of Google Docs, so you’ll need to add this font to your Google Docs  account in order to use it.

Sample text using Gelasio font

Gelasio is an original typeface with similar metrics to the Georgia font in its regular, bold, italic, and bold italic styles.

In addition, this typeface has been widely used in various print and digital materials due to its exceptional legibility and readability. So, whether you’re writing an essay, report paper, or an online article, Gelasio is one of the best aesthetic fonts on Google Docs you should definitely try.

8. Courier Prime

Sample text using Courier Prime font

One of the best ways to add aesthetics to your content is by formatting it to resemble a movie screenplay. Courier is the standard font style used in film scripts due to its generous letter spacing and old-style typewriter appearance.

Although it’s clear that you can’t use this Google Docs font for formal documents, Courier is an excellent choice if you’re writing a dramatic or inspirational piece that resonates with your audience.

9. PlayFair Display

Sample text using PlayFair Display font

Playfair Display features a simple yet captivating and elegant typeface thanks to its high contrast of thick and thin letter strokes inspired by early 18th-century English typefaces. You can use this font style if you’re writing informative texts, such as online articles, journals, reports, or essays because it improves readability and facilitates text skimming.

10. Patrick Hand

Sample text using Patrick Hand font

Patrick Hand is a hand-drawn typeface that adds a delightful personal touch to your document. This font style exudes a playful and friendly vibe, reminiscent of the popular “Comic Sans” font but more symmetrical and stylish. You can use this font for various purposes, such as invitations, captions, personal correspondence, and logo text.

Sample text using Lora font

Lora is one of the best serif fonts to use for body text because of its simple and highly legible style. Its letters are mostly thin-stroked and well-proportioned, creating a sleek typography that resonates with modernity and sophistication.

12. Libre Baskerville

Sample text using Libre Baskerville font

One traditional and aesthetically pleasing serif font style used in both casual and formal documents is Libre Baskerville. This font exhibits a seamless blend of thick and thin strokes, lending it a sophisticated and elegant appearance. In addition, its simple yet refined style makes it an excellent choice for long-form documents, such as articles, magazines, or journals.

13. Quicksand

Sample text using Quicksand font

Quicksand is a simple yet classy sans-serif font known for its geometric design with rounded corners. Since its release in 2008, Quicksand has become widely used in different advertising mediums thanks to its legibility, readability, and compelling modern style.

14. Dancing Script

Sample text using Dancing Script font

Dancing Script is a classy typeface with interconnected, slightly tilted letters that resemble handwritten cursive writing and give the impression of a graceful dance. With its condensed lowercase letters matched with taller uppercase letters, the text seems to flow naturally from left to right.

15. Satisfy

Sample text using Satisfy font

Satisfy is one of the most unique script typefaces in Google Docs because of its relatively thicker letters compared to other cursive fonts. Just like the Dancing Script font, Satisfy has tilted-axis letters but with a consistent level of thickness. So if you’re writing invitations, personal correspondence, or a memoir, Satisfy can add aesthetic appeal to your document.

Final Thoughts

Don’t hesitate to customize your default font in Google Docs and explore options that enhance the aesthetics and beauty of your document. Infuse your creativity and personal style into your choice of font, allowing it to reflect your unique signature.

Looking for a head start on your project? Explore our collection of premium templates  today and take advantage of a 50% discount by using the code “SSP.”

  • Download a Free Book Template for Google Docs (5 Types)
  • Change the Default Font in Google Sheets (3 Easy Ways)
  • How to Insert Signature in Google Docs [Easy Guide]

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essay google docs font

How to set up an APA format paper in Google Docs

  • How to use Google Docs' APA format templates

How to write an APA format paper in Google Docs using a template or other built-in features

  • You can write an APA formatted paper in Google Docs using its built-in tools or a template.
  • The basics of APA 7 format include double-spaced lines, a running header, and a title page — all of which can be done in Google Docs.
  • Google Docs' templates page includes pre-made APA 6 and APA 7 documents you can use as well.

While some students write in MLA format, others write in APA format. APA — short for American Psychological Association — is a standardized format for writing academic papers, especially in the fields of sociology, psychology, and other behavioral or social sciences. It has specific rules for what your essays should look like, and how they should be structured.

APA format has changed a few times over the decades (right now we're on APA Seventh Edition, or "APA 7"), but the basics have stayed the same. And no matter which version of APA format you're using, you can set it all up using Google Docs.

Here's how to make an APA essay in Google Docs, either manually or using a template.

Like other style guides, APA format has a variety of rules and standards. Here are the most important guidelines for structuring your paper, along with tips on how to meet those guidelines in Google Docs.

  • The font needs to be readable and consistent.

APA isn't strict about what font you should use, or even what size it should be. It just needs to be legible, and you need to use the same font throughout your entire paper (with exceptions for figures, computer code, and footnotes). Some common choices are 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Arial, and 11-point Calibri.

You can change your font and font size using the toolbar at the top of the screen. If you're trying to change text that you've already written, just be sure to highlight it first.

  • Your entire document needs to have one-inch margins and double-spaced lines.

All Google Docs documents have one-inch margins by default, so you probably don't need to worry about that. If you want to double-check or change them anyway, you can change the margins using the Page Setup menu or ruler feature .

Meanwhile, you can enable double-spacing with the Line & paragraph spacing menu in the toolbar above your document. Highlight all the text in your document, then select Double in this menu to turn on double-spacing . 

  • Every page needs a header with the paper's title in the top-left, and the page number in the top-right.

Google Docs lets you add headers to any page. You can add automatic page numbers through the Insert menu , and then double-click the header to add your title on the left if needed.

Remember that they need to be the same font and font size as the rest of your paper.

  • Your paper needs a title page with your name, paper title in bold, "institutional affiliation," and more.

Probably the most important part of an APA paper is the title page. It needs to include the paper's title in bold, your name, and your "institutional affiliation" — the school or organization that you're writing for. If you're a student, you also need to add the course number and name, your instructor's name, and the due date.

All this information should be centered in the upper-half of the first page. You can find Google Docs' alignment options in the toolbar at the top of the page. Highlight your text and select Center align in this menu to center everything.

  • Your paper should end with a References page, and each entry should be written with a hanging indent.

The last section of your paper is the References page. Make sure to put it on a new page (or pages, depending on how many you have to cite).

The word "References" should be centered and bolded on the very first line of the page. You can center the words using the alignment options mentioned above, and bold it by clicking the B icon .

List all your references in alphabetical order and use the ruler to give each one a hanging indent — in other words, every line after the first needs to be indented .

Your citations need hanging indents, which you can make with the ruler tool. Google; William Antonelli/Insider

How to use google docs' apa format templates.

While you can format your paper manually, Google Docs also offers two different APA templates — one for APA 7, and another for APA 6. These templates will let you meet most of the APA guidelines right away, but you'll probably still need to change some of it.

To use one of these templates:

1. Head to the Google Docs homepage and click Template gallery in the top-right.

2. Scroll down the templates page until you reach the Education section. In this section, click either Report [APA 6th ed] or Report [APA 7th ed] .

3. A page will open with an APA format paper already written in fake Lorem Ipsum language. Most of the formatting is there, so you just need to replace the pre-written words with your own.

You can find these templates in the mobile app by tapping the plus sign icon in the bottom-right, and then selecting Choose template .

essay google docs font

  • Main content
  • INNOVATION FESTIVAL
  • Capital One

essay google docs font

06-07-2021 DESIGN

The 5 best new fonts to use in Google Docs

Including Comic Sans, but grown up!

The 5 best new fonts to use in Google Docs

[Image: Google]

BY  Lilly Smith 2 minute read

Google Docs, the ubiquitous and free word processing tool, uses a sans serif font called Arial by default. It’s classic and straightforwardly simple. Like the white bread of fonts, it’s hard working and versatile, but pretty dang basic.

Last week, Google added 60 new fonts to its catalog of free licensed font families for you to choose from in Docs and Slides with a tweet that basically said, “these fonts are here now!” There wasn’t much detail as to why Google added the fonts, but for anyone who grew tired of the 30 or so default font options available previously, the new offerings will make it much easier to customize Google Docs and Slides.

Related:  The 14 Worst Fonts in the World

Here are five of the most exciting new typefaces, showcasing a range of styles, from an updated love-to-hate font to a canonical typeface mid-century modernist Massimo Vignelli himself favored. Your next shared Doc is about to get a lot spicier.

essay google docs font

Google Fonts already has Comic Sans, one of the most widely mocked fonts on the Internet. (Its own designer calls it the “ the Justin Bieber of fonts .”) Comic Neue  is its more sophisticated sibling. The “squashed, wonky, and weird glyphs of Comic Sans have been beaten into shape,” Google writes, while maintaining the fun that make many love Comic Sans (and love to hate it ). Comic Neue’s child-like look could work nicely for younger audiences, but it could have practical benefits, too.  Comic Sans is considered a more legible font for dyslexic readers .

essay google docs font

JetBrains Mono

This typeface looks like code, and that makes sense: It takes inspiration from it. The rounded rectangular shapes of JetBrains Mono is “made for the specific needs of developers,” according to its designers Philipp Nurullin and Konstantin Bulenkov. It’s a monospace font, so each letter or character takes up the same amount of space. But you don’t need to use it for coding—use it to give a boxy, geometric feel to an otherwise drab Google Doc or presentation.

essay google docs font

Bodoni Moda

Bodoni Moda is a long overdue addition to Google Docs and Slides. Bodoni, a serif font first designed by Giambattista Bodoni in the late 18th century, is an all-time classic font. It’s a serif typeface, with sharp edges and straight lines that give it modern appeal. It has been used everywhere: One of its most famous proponents was the iconic mid-century modern designer Massimo Vignelli, who famously used only a handful of typefaces throughout his career; he considered Bodoni one of his six preferred typefaces . Garamond, a typeface similar to Bodoni, already exists in Google Docs. But Bodoni Moda’s contrasting thin and thick strokes make it stand on its own, and it’s high time the font family gets some attention, too.

essay google docs font

You’ve probably seen a typeface similar to Goldman , with its angled terminals and squared counters (the negative space in letters), used for the front covers of sci-fi novels. Designer Jaikishan Patel expands its use case here, designing it for applications in science fiction, sports, drama, and thriller posters. Now you can bring a cinematic element to your Docs.

essay google docs font

Museu Moderno

There are 26 letters in any English alphabet, but in the sans serif Museo Moderno alphabet, one letter is the star: the lowercase W. It looks like someone bent a piece of steel pipe to get those wonky curves. Omnibus-Type first designed the typeface for the Museum of Modern Art of Buenos Aires, but it’s easy to see the contemporary geometric typeface on everything from direct-to-consumer beauty brands to specialty consumer goods.

Apply to the Most Innovative Companies Awards and be recognized as an organization driving the world forward through innovation. Early-rate deadline: Friday, August 23.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lilly Smith is an associate editor of Co.Design. She was previously the editor of Design Observer, and a contributing writer to AIGA Eye on Design.   More

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Beyond words: comprehensive guide on styling text in Google Docs

Natalia Sharashova

In this blog post, we delve into the various techniques and features available to customize your Google Docs. Follow these tips and tricks to be well on your way to creating documents that convey your content effectively and look polished and visually captivating.

When you want to make documents look really professional and nice to read, it's super important to learn how to style the text properly. Google Docs offers a range of text formatting tools that will transform your documents from bland to outstanding. 

How to use text formatting in Google Docs

Text formatting is crucial in conveying emphasis, clarity, and structure within your documents. Google Docs provides a range of text styling options to help you achieve these objectives.

How to change font style in Google Docs

The first thing I'd recommend changing is the font style (and its size).

Picking the most suitable font size and style in Google Docs from the start will minimize the need for retroactive formatting changes along the way. You'll be able to focus on the layout and content knowing that the main visual element is already set.

How to change font style in Google Docs.

Below are some other standard fonts often used in different documents.

To change font style in Google Docs, click on any font. You can quickly go through multiple fonts to see which one you like better in action. 

Add more fonts option.

Once you find the ones you love, just click on them and they will appear in the list of your fonts in both the right panel and the drop-down with the available fonts.

3 ways to change the font size in Google Docs.

Use these to:

  • increase or decrease the current font size (or use Ctrl+Shift+. and Ctrl+Shift-. hotkeys instead)
  • pick one of the predefined font sizes from the drop-down
  • enter the exact size from your keyboard

Bold, italic and underline

To make your text stand out and grab attention, you can use bold formatting, and italicized or underlined text.

Apply one of Google Docs formats to your text: bold, italic, underline.

Tip. Besides the toolbar, there's another way to indicate a different tone for your text. You can apply these Google Docs formats using shortcuts:

  • Ctrl+B for bold ( Command+B on Mac)
  • Ctrl+I for italic ( Command+I on Mac)
  • Ctrl+U for underline ( Command+U on Mac)

Of course, you can apply all three formatting Google Docs styles to the same piece of text or mix & match with just 2 of them.

Strikethrough

Sometimes, conveying information involves showing what has changed or is no longer valid. Strikethrough is a text formatting tool that helps you visually indicate that a particular portion of text should be disregarded. You can also use strikethrough to add a touch of humor or irony to your text.

Though there's no button for this option, you can easily apply strikethrough to a portion of text in Google Docs by using the Alt+Shift+5 shortcut. 

How to strikethrough in Google Docs.

Text & highlight colors

To enhance the visual appeal or emphasize important points even more, don't neglect text and highlight colors. Using them strategically or creatively will make a significant difference.

Text color will change the color of letters. Highlight will color the white background behind the text. 

Google Docs tools to format text color and highlight color.

You can pick a hue from predefined colors or click one of the icons at the bottom of the palette:

Add a custom color to Google Docs.

Note. When using text and highlight colors in Google Docs, it's important to ensure adequate contrast for optimal readability. Choose such color combinations for your text that provide enough contrast between the text itself and its background to make your content easily legible.

Color and/or highlight text in Google Docs.

Tip. Remember to strike a balance between creativity and readability when playing with colors. Stay consistent with your color choices to maintain a professional and organized appearance.

Style Google Docs text using the paint format tool

I cannot help but mention one small tool to work with the formatting. Instead of applying the same visuals over and over again, you can copy them from any portion of your text.

Standard formatting tool in Google Docs.

This tool acts as a formatting brush allowing you to copy the style in Google Docs, size, colors, bold/italic/underline and other formatting of one piece of text and apply it to other parts of your document:

  • Format a text selection to your liking.
  • Select the formatted text only.
  • Click on the Paint format icon in the toolbar.
  • Click and drag your cursor over the text you want to apply the formatting to.

The chosen text will adopt the formatting of the initial selection.

Tip. To apply the formatting to multiple selections, double-click the Paint format icon to keep it active until you're done.

Improve readability with line spacing and alignment

When it comes to styling documents in Google Docs, aesthetics and readability go hand in hand. Proper alignment, indentation, spacing, and effective use of lists are essential if you want to engage with your material effortlessly.

Alignment & indentation

4 alignment settings in Google Docs.

As for indentation, it helps create a visual hierarchy. It's usually used to block quotes, bullet points, and more.

Increase or decrease Google Docs indent directly from the menu.

Line & paragraph spacing

Optimal line and paragraph spacing are key elements for your document's readability. Let's see how you can adjust line and paragraph spacing to prevent text from feeling cluttered or too spread out.

Adjust line and paragraph spacing in Google Docs.

  • The first 4 settings — single, 1.15, 1.5, double — offer various breathing rooms between the lines.
  • The next two — Add/Remove space before/after paragraph — visually separate the content blocks. Use these to distinguish different sections easily.

Custom line and paragraph spacing in Google Docs.

  • Keep with next and Keep lines together will make sure your paragraphs or lines are not divided into different pages.
  • Add page break before , on the contrary, will move the selected block to a new page.
  • Prevent single lines , well, prevents single lines at the beginning or the end of your section (paragraph) from being left out on a page. It always keeps at least two lines of text together.

Note. Some options are not available in the pageless format.

Bulleted and numbered lists

Bulleted and numbered lists on the Google Docs toolbar.

Select the text that you want to turn into a list and click either Bulleted or Numbered list icons.

Tip. Or use the shortcuts ;) Ctrl+Shift+8 for bullets, Ctrl+Shift+7 for numbers. For Mac, it's the Control key instead of Ctrl .

Create numbered lists in Google Docs.

Tip. Press Shift+Tab to turn the sub-item into the main list item.

Style your lists with built-in points.

You'll see a window with tens of characters to choose from, including numbers, symbols from other languages, emojis, currencies, etc. Just find the one you like best for your list or draw your own symbol in a special field in the same window.

Change the style of the lists in Google Docs.

Headings & styles: enhancing Google Docs structure

Creating a well-structured Google document is essential if you want to guide your readers through your content. The tools from this section will help you achieve a clear hierarchy and visual consistency within your documents.

How to add headings in Google Docs

Headings provide a roadmap for everyone reading/working with the document, making it easier for them to navigate through.

How to add headings in Google Docs.

Tip. The more heading levels you use in Google Docs, the more extra levels will be available in the dropdown.

How to edit all headings in Google Docs at once

So you added headings in your Google Docs, what's next? You will most likely want to edit them: set the proper alignment, indentation or change colors, make them bold or underlined, etc. 

Luckily, there's a smart option that lets you do that with all headings of a similar level in Google Docs in just a few clicks.

Let's suppose it's Headings 2 you'd like to format.

  • Pick one heading of the 2nd level and right-click it.

Select all matching text option.

Tip. This way is great to edit not just headings but the normal text as well.

Creating a table of contents

A well-organized document often includes a table of contents (TOC) that acts as a roadmap for readers. In Google Docs, you can create a table of contents that dynamically updates as you edit your content. This feature is particularly handy when your document contains several sections or subsections.

Generate TOC from headings on Google Docs

Google Docs knows how to automatically generate a table of contents based on your headings and place it whenever you need in the document:

  • Make sure to add headings to your document as I described in the previous section.

Insert table of contents in Google Docs.

Each item in the TOC will be linked to its related section (even if you pick the style that doesn't look like it contains links). 

Update your TOC in Google Docs once changes to your headings have been made.

TOC outline: same concept, different purpose

An outline in Google Docs serves a similar purpose to a table of contents: it helps you create an organized structure. The only difference is that it's located not within the pages but on the side: as part of the Google Docs interface.

How to show outline in Google Docs.

Note. Both the table of contents and the outline rely on properly formatted headings on Google Docs. Ensure your headings are consistently applied for accurate results.

How to change default style in Google Docs

When customizing Google documents, you might have a specific look in mind that aligns with your brand or personal preference. Custom styles in Google Docs enable you to save your preferred formatting settings, allowing you to apply them consistently across your documents.

The standard feature lets you save only one style as your default one for all future documents:

  • Format your document: make sure titles, headings, subtitles & normal text look exactly as you need.

Save the formatting of the entire Doc as your default style.

You'll see the confirmation message from Google Docs that your style has been set. Now when you start the new document, the font, its size, color, and headings will look as you prefer from the start by default.

To apply this style to other Google documents, go to Styles > Options > Use my default styles . 

Most likely, you already see the major drawback of this instrument: you can save & use only one style at a time.

Create multiple reusable custom styles in Google Docs

If you're looking to take your document styling to the next level, the Styles add-on for Google Docs is a real game-changer. 

It empowers you to create a multitude of custom styles, save them for future use, and effortlessly apply them to your entire document or specific sections.

As a nice bonus, it goes with built-in 20+ style templates for your Google Docs to choose from.

Styles add-on for Google Docs with 20+ built-in and your custom style templates.

This add-on gives you broad freedom of action:

  • Create, save and reuse a multitude of different style sets. For various types of documents and needs. You can even pick the style from your document!

Edit heading styles in Google Docs anytime.

  • Applying the styles in Google Docs with this add-on couldn't be easier. Either click the blue Apply style button at the bottom to format the entire document, or change the appearance of specific paragraphs / selected text by clicking only on the necessary heading style. Either way, it's literally just a click :)

This add-on will be your sidekick if you crave efficiency without compromising on aesthetics. To play with it around, install it from the Google Workspace Marketplace and find it under the Extensions menu in your Google Docs. 

Video: Styles add-on for Google Docs: customize your documents

Share google docs styles with teammates.

Since collaboration is at the heart of many Google Docs projects, sharing consistent styles among team members is crucial for maintaining a unified document appearance.

Fortunately, Styles add-on for Google Docs allows you to share custom styles with your teammates, ensuring everyone is on the same page in terms of document formatting.

Share style templates for Google Docs with your teammates.

  • Use the first two to export, or save to your Drive, all or only the selected style template for Google Docs.
  • Use the third one to import, or upload from Drive, a style shared with you.

Mastering text styling in Google Docs is not just about making your documents visually appealing; it's about effectively conveying your ideas and engaging your audience. 

Whether you're working on an academic paper, crafting a report or simply sharing your thoughts, understanding these styling & customization techniques will give your Google documents an edge. By following the tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to creating documents that convey your content effectively and look polished and visually captivating.

So, go ahead and experiment with these features — your words deserve to be noticed :)

You may also be interested in

  • How to get more Google Docs templates
  • All Google Docs & Google Sheets limits you need to know
  • How to make a good-looking table in Google Sheets

Table of contents

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I'm looking for a way to create numbered paragraphs with text - like Article I., Article 2., etc. Is there a way to do this with the Styles or a different Add-on?

essay google docs font

Hello Melissa,

I'm not sure Styles will help since it's merely changes the appearance of the text.

If you need extra headings literally containing 'Article 1', 'Article 2', etc., you will have to enter them manually. And then you can apply a certain style to them using the Styles add-on.

Alternatively, you could use standard Bookmarks for this purpose. Our Search & Navigate will then show you all these headings/bookmarks in a list.

essay google docs font

I meant underline for Mac: Command-U

All fixed! Thanks for catching those mistakes, Peter!

In your change font style for Mac, italic and bold should be command-I and command-B

essay google docs font

It Was very helpful Thank you for gather all the information together.

Appreciate your feedback! I'm glad the article is helpful :)

Post a comment

How-To Geek

How to double-space on google docs.

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5 things i never back up to the cloud, chrome is top dog, but firefox is still my favorite browser, quick links, table of contents, how to double-space the current google doc, how to set "double space" as the default.

If you're writing an essay using the APA guidelines , your text will need to be double-spaced. You can apply double-spacing to text in Google Docs (and save it as the default style) in just a few clicks.

To apply double-spacing to the text in your current Google Docs document, first, select the text. You can do this by clicking and dragging your cursor over the text. To quickly select all text, use the "Ctrl+A" ("Command+A" on Mac) keyboard shortcut.

The text is highlighted blue when selected.

Select text by clicking and dragging your cursor over it.

Next, click the "Line Spacing" icon (an arrow and three lines) in the toolbar.

Click the "Line Spacing" icon in the Google Docs toolbar.

In the drop-down menu that appears, click "Double."

Click "Double" in the drop-down menu.

The selected text is now double-spaced.

Related: The Beginner's Guide to Google Docs

If you frequently use double-spaced line spacing, you can set it as the default style for new documents in Google Docs. To do so, open a Google Doc file that already has double-spacing applied, or go ahead and apply it now .

Next, click "Format" in the menu bar.

Click "Format" in the Google Docs menu bar.

A drop-down menu will appear. Hover your cursor over the "Paragraph Styles" option. A sub-menu will appear. Hover your cursor over "Options" at the bottom of the menu.

Hover your cursor over Paragraph Style and click Options.

Another sub-menu will appear. Here, click "Save as my Default Styles."

Click Save as my Default Styles.

Now, when you create a new document in Google Docs, the default line spacing will be double-spaced. For documents that already exist, however, you'll need to manually apply double-spacing.

That's all there is to it. Whether for an essay in APA style, for a teacher who insists on double-spacing, or for personal preference alone, your document is now double-spaced. All that's left to do now is share it !

Related: How to Share Links to Your Google Doc as a PDF

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  • Create, edit and format

Change how paragraphs and fonts look

essay google docs font

Want advanced Google Workspace features for your business?

Try Google Workspace today .

You can use the buttons in the toolbar at the top of a document to:

  • Edit and format the text and paragraph spacing
  • Change the font and background colour
  • Bold, italicise, underline or strikethrough text

These options are also available in the Format menu. To open the Format menu, use the keyboard shortcut:

  • Windows and ChromeOS : Alt + Shift + o
  • Mac OS : Control + Option + o

Tip : Many of these actions have keyboard shortcuts that can be used without the toolbar or menus. Take note of the shortcuts presented with the menu options that you use frequently to work more efficiently.

Format paragraphs

Change paragraph alignment.

  • Or select multiple paragraphs.
  • In the toolbar, at the upper right, select Align .
  • Open the Format menu , then select Align and indent .

Change line & paragraph spacing

  • Or select multiple paragraphs.
  • In the toolbar, at the upper right, select Line and paragraph spacing .
  • Open the Format menu , then select Line and paragraph spacing .  
  • To change your paragraph spacing, click Single, 1.15, 1.5 or Double.
  • To change your spacing between paragraphs, click Remove space before paragraph or Add space after paragraph.
  • To enter a custom size, click Custom spacing. Then enter the size of the spacing that you want before and after a paragraph and click Apply.
  • To keep paragraph headings and text on the same page, click Keep with next.
  • To keep all lines of text in the same paragraph on the same page, click Keep lines together.
  • To prevent single lines at the beginning or end of paragraphs, click Prevent single lines.

Important : Keep with next, Keep lines together and Prevent single lines  aren't available in documents that are in pageless format. To use these features, make sure your document is in pages format .

  • Open the Format menu.
  • Select Paragraph styles and then Borders and shading .
  • Position : Choose top, bottom, left, right or between paragraph lines.
  • Border width : The width of the positional border lines.
  • Border dash : The dashed, dotted or solid style of the positional border lines.
  • Border colour .
  • Background colour .
  • Paragraph padding : Spacing before the paragraph.
  • To remove paragraph borders or colour, select Reset .
  • Once finished, select Apply .

Your documents will have a more consistent appearance when you apply a style instead of updating font appearance.

To apply a style:

  • In the toolbar, select Styles .
  • Open the Format menu , then select Paragraph styles .
  • Heading level
  • Select Apply .

Format font

  • In the toolbar, select Font .
  • Choose a font from the drop-down list.
  • For Mac OS: Option + Slash .
  • Enter part of the font name.
  • If the name has a sub-menu, you can choose your preferred font weight.
  • To change the font, press Enter .

Tip : If you search for a font, you can quickly set it again if you choose the first option in the recent list that appears when you press Alt + Slash ( Option + Slash on Mac).

  • Select the text that you want to change.
  • Select Decrease font size or press Control + Shift + ,
  • Select Increase font size or press Control + Shift + .
  • Select Font size then choose a size.

If you know the size that you want to set:

  • On Mac, press Option + Slash .
  • Enter font size [number] .
  • Or just enter the numerical size and confirm the match in the results list.
  • Open the Format menu .
  • Select Text and then Capitalisation .
  • Select the text that you want for a default.
  • Select Paragraph styles , then Normal text and then Update 'Normal text' to match .

In some languages, you can add new fonts to your font list.

  • Enter more fonts .
  • A dialogue box appears with a list of fonts.
  • To add new fonts, press Space .
  • Once finished, press Tab to the OK button and press Enter .

Tip : The font dialogue includes options for sorting and searching. You can search for types of fonts like 'serif', 'script' or 'mono'.

Fonts are available in these languages:

  • Azerbaijani
  • Portuguese 
  • On your computer, open a document in Google Docs .

Colour text

  • Select the colour that you want.
  • On your computer, open a document in Google docs .

Highlight text

  • Enter a colour, like blue  or yellow .
  • Select the text colour or highlight colour that you want.
  • Press Enter .
  • Select Text .
  • Strikethrough

Related resources

  • Delete a document
  • Print or change the page setup
  • Add headers, footers & page numbers
  • Crop and adjust images
  • Add a title, heading, or table of contents

Need more help?

Try these next steps:.

essay google docs font

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Fun Fonts on Google Docs

Fun Fonts on Google Docs

Are you looking for fun fonts on Google Docs?

Are you tired of using the same old standard fonts in your documents and want to add some creativity?

Well, you’re in luck!

Google Docs offers a wide variety of fonts that you may have never even heard of.

In this article, we will provide a list of the best fun fonts available on Google Docs.

Also read: (opens in new tab) Minecraft Font Google Docs Fancy Fonts on Google Docs Best Handwriting Fonts on Google Docs Pretty Fonts on Google Docs Scary Fonts on Google Docs The Best Aesthetic Fonts on Google Docs

Unfamiliar with using these fonts on Google Docs? No worries! Simply follow our comprehensive guide: How to Add Fonts to Google Docs

Fun Fonts on Google Docs

3. Barriecito

Fun Fonts on Google Docs

4. Crafty Girls

Fun Fonts on Google Docs

6. Henny Penny

Fun Fonts on Google Docs

7. Hi Melody

Fun Fonts on Google Docs

9. Love Ya Like a Sister

Fun Fonts on Google Docs

10. Major Mono Display

Fun Fonts on Google Docs

11. Princess Sofia

Fun Fonts on Google Docs

12. Zcool Kuaile

Fun Fonts on Google Docs

In conclusion, Google Docs provides an exciting variety of fun fonts that can add creativity and uniqueness to your documents.

You no longer have to settle for boring standard fonts; now is the time to make your documents visually captivating.

Here is a list of the best fun fonts available on Google Docs:

  • Crafty Girls
  • Henny Penny
  • Love Ya Like a Sister
  • Major Mono Display
  • Princess Sofia
  • Zcool Kuaile

Author: Shubham Calmblay

Shubham Calmblay, founder of appsthatdeliver.com, has a decade of experience with various Google products. He has authored 1,000+ guides for ATD, published on prestigious tech blogs. His work has garnered recognition from Protocol.com, Leadsbridge.com, MadMobile.com, and numerous other leading publications and corporations.

All Posts by Shubham Calmblay

IMAGES

  1. How to add fonts to Google Docs

    essay google docs font

  2. How to customize Google Docs: guide on styles & formatting

    essay google docs font

  3. Google Docs adds 60 new fonts, including JetBrains Mono

    essay google docs font

  4. How to add fonts to Google Docs

    essay google docs font

  5. Aesthetic Fonts on Google Docs

    essay google docs font

  6. what is the biggest font style in google docs

    essay google docs font

COMMENTS

  1. The Best Fonts for Google Docs Documents

    The last on the list is Nunito Sans. It has seven weight styles available on Google Docs. This font is a well-balanced sans serif typeface. This font's design looks more rounded than the other sans serif fonts, which makes it more appealing. But it's not so round to the point that it makes the style look soft.

  2. How to Change the Default Font in Google Docs

    Fire up your browser, open a Google Docs file, and then change the font. Click the drop-down box and make sure the Style is set to "Normal Text," as well. This refers to the main text style (excluding titles or headings) used throughout your document. Note: Certain formatting can also be applied to the default font, such as size, bold ...

  3. How to Format Your Essay in MLA Style Using Google Docs

    Once signed in, you should be looking at your email dashboard. Look to your profile image and name at the top right. Click on the squared dot icons to view your apps. You should see "Docs" as one of your options. Click on "Docs.". 2. Set the font and size. In MLA format, you may only use Times New Roman font at size 12.

  4. The best fonts for writing documents in Google Docs

    Comic Neue, the sophisticated brother of Comic Sans. Possibly we know one of the most popular fonts such as Comic Sans. In this case we must say that Comic Neue is its sophisticated brother that we can find within Google Fonts. This typeface offers a molding to the squashed, twisted and strange glyphs of Comic Sans while maintaining that touch ...

  5. How to Make Google Docs Aesthetic: A Full Guide (Fonts ...

    How to change the page color in Google Docs in 3 easy steps: In the top menu, click File. Click Page Setup. Under Page color, click the dropdown box to select the page color. If you're not using a browser extension like Dark Reader, changing the page color is a great way to use Google Docs in dark mode.

  6. 15 Best Aesthetic Fonts On Google Docs

    14. Dancing Script. 15. Satisfy. Final Thoughts. 1. Josefin Sans. Josefin Sans is one of the most versatile sans serif fonts in Google Docs, featuring a simple yet stylish typeface. Whether you're working on a formal document or a casual letter, this font makes your content neat, classy, and easier to read.

  7. Change how paragraphs & fonts look

    Select the text you want to change. To choose from a menu of fonts: In the toolbar, select Font. Choose a font from the dropdown list. To search for a font, press: For Windows or Chrome OS: Alt + slash . For Mac OS: Option + slash. Enter part of the font name. Press the Down arrow to select the font name.

  8. How to Set up an APA Format Paper in Google Docs

    Head to the Google Docs homepage and click Template gallery in the top-right. Head to your account's template gallery. Google; William Antonelli/Insider. 2. Scroll down the templates page until ...

  9. The 5 best new fonts to use in Google Docs

    Bodoni. comic neue. comic sans. google. google fonts. museo moderno. typeface design. Google added 60 new fonts to its catalog of free licensed font families for you to choose from in Docs and Slides.

  10. How to customize Google Docs: guide on styles & formatting

    Google Docs provides a range of text styling options to help you achieve these objectives. How to change font style in Google Docs. The first thing I'd recommend changing is the font style (and its size). Picking the most suitable font size and style in Google Docs from the start will minimize the need for retroactive formatting changes along ...

  11. Browse Fonts

    18 styles Indian Type Foundry, Jonny Pinhorn, Ninad Kale. Google Fonts makes it easy to bring personality and performance to your websites and products. Our robust catalog of open-source fonts and icons makes it easy to integrate expressive type and icons seamlessly — no matter where you are in the world. About us.

  12. The Best Aesthetic Fonts on Google Docs in 2024

    The best font depends on the document you are working on. If you are working on a formal document, I suggest using professional fonts like Libre Baskerville and Georgia. If you are working on a personal document, I suggest cool and nice fonts like Roboto, Josefin Sans, Raleway, or Playfair Display.

  13. Whats the biggest font style on google docs? : r/googledocs

    Ive been doing an essay on google docs but i have to make it fit into more pages without scaling up the font. So i was just messing around and noticed that some font styles like comic sans, take up more space then others like times new roman. So since im lazy and want to do as little work as possible what would be the biggest font style for me ...

  14. How to Double-Space on Google Docs

    To apply double-spacing to the text in your current Google Docs document, first, select the text. You can do this by clicking and dragging your cursor over the text. To quickly select all text, use the "Ctrl+A" ("Command+A" on Mac) keyboard shortcut. The text is highlighted blue when selected. Next, click the "Line Spacing" icon (an arrow and ...

  15. Adding fonts to Google Docs and Slides

    Google Fonts makes it easy to bring personality and performance to your websites and products. Our robust catalog of open-source fonts and icons makes it easy to integrate expressive type and icons seamlessly — no matter where you are in the world. Google's Workspace apps, such as Docs, Sheets, and Slides, come with a selection of typefaces ...

  16. Google Docs

    Create and edit web-based documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Store documents online and access them from any computer.

  17. Chicago Style Format Guide

    For Chicago style papers, formatting rules are fairly standard. Chicago style papers are double-spaced, with a one inch margin on all sides. The standard font for a Chicago style paper is size 12 pt. and either Times New Roman or Arial. Like APA, Chicago Style includes a cover page with the following information: a title in the center of the ...

  18. What is the font of your college essay google/word doc right now?

    If I pasted the prompts from the Common App so now everything is preformatted to Roboto, that's the font that's being used. If I pasted it from a colleges website, that's the font I'm using. If I wrote my own thing first, then arial it is. I use Arial as it makes easier for me due to my dyslexia.

  19. Sample Essay

    The general rules of formatting are as follows: use a 11- or 12-point font like Times New Roman or Courier and set your margins to one inch all around the page. To make it easier for your reader, always double-space your essays and indent the first line of each paragraph. Never add an extra space between paragraphs or after the title.

  20. Best Handwriting Fonts on Google Docs

    Here are some of the best handwriting fonts available on Google Docs that accurately reflect your handwritten notes: 1. Swanky and Moo Moo. 2. The Girl Next Door. 3. Crafty Girls. 4. Give You Glory.

  21. Change how paragraphs and fonts look

    In the toolbar, select Font. Choose a font from the drop-down list. To search for a font, press: For Windows or ChromeOS: Alt + Slash. For Mac OS: Option + Slash. Enter part of the font name. Press the down arrow to select the font name. If the name has a sub-menu, you can choose your preferred font weight. To change the font, press Enter.

  22. The Best Cute Fonts on Google Docs & Google Slides

    Cute Fonts on Google Docs. If you are looking to spruce up your Google Docs with some cute fonts, here are a few options that you'll find useful: 1. Architects Daughter. 2. The Girl Next Door. 3. Twinkle Star.

  23. Fun Fonts on Google Docs

    In conclusion, Google Docs provides an exciting variety of fun fonts that can add creativity and uniqueness to your documents. You no longer have to settle for boring standard fonts; now is the time to make your documents visually captivating. Here is a list of the best fun fonts available on Google Docs: Atma. Bahiana. Barriecito. Crafty Girls.