When you're working collaboratively in Google Docs, comments can be a game-changer, facilitating discussion and approving changes. But what if you need to print these comments along with your document? The good news is, Google Docs allows you to do just that. Let's dive into how you can achieve this.
Before we start, it's crucial to understand that printing comments isn't a built-in feature in Google Docs. However, with a few workaround tricks, you can get the job done. Stay with us, and we'll walk you through the process step-by-step.
Printing Google Docs with Comments: The Basics
Google Docs doesn't directly allow printing comments due to its web-based nature. However, you can export your document as a PDF, which will include all the comments. Here's how to do it:
First, click on 'File' in the menu, then select 'Print'. Don't be alarmed by the fact that the 'Print' option doesn't include a direct way to print comments. We'll workaround this next.
Exporting as PDF
The most straightforward way to print Google Docs with comments is to export it as a PDF. Here's how:
1. Click on 'File' in the menu, then select 'Print'.
2. In the print preview window, change the destination to 'Save as PDF'.
3. Click 'Save' and choose the location to save your PDF.
Printing the PDF
Once you've exported your Google Doc as a PDF, you can print it. Here's how:
1. Open the PDF you just saved.
2. Press 'Ctrl + P' (or 'Command + P' on a Mac) to open the print dialogue box.
3. Choose your preferred print settings and click 'Print'.
Formatting the Printout for Better Readability
By default, Google Docs PDFs include comments in a separate column on the right side of the document. While this is great for seeing all the comments at once, it can make the text a bit cramped. Here's how to change the print settings for better readability:
Remove the Right Margin
Adjusting the margins can help make the text fit better on the page. Here's how:
1. In the print dialogue box, click on the 'Layout' dropdown (it might be named something different depending on your printer's settings).
2. Select 'Portrait' for the orientation to ensure the text flows from top to bottom.
3. Set the left margin to 0.5 inches and the right margin to 0. If your printer doesn't allow 0, the smallest possible margin should do.
Shrinking the Text Size
If adjusting the margins isn't enough, you can reduce the text size. Here's how:
1. In the print dialogue box, find the 'Scaling' option. It might be named differently depending on your printer.
2. Select 'Fit to printable area' or a similar option. This will shrink the text slightly to fit the page better.
And there you have it! Now you know how to print Google Docs with comments, make it more readable, and provide a professional-looking printout. Happy printing!