Google Drive and Docs In 30 Minutes (In 30 Minutes Series): The unofficial guide to Google's free online office and storage suite

by Ian Lamont

All-new 2nd Edition of this popular Google Drive and Google Docs tutorial! Do you have 30 minutes to spare? It's all you'll need to get up to speed with Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, the free online productivity suite and Microsoft Office alternative. Millions of people use the software every day on their computers and mobile devices. You, too, can use Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides to perform the following tasks:

Write reports and letters with Google Docs
Crunch numbers and create online data entry forms using Google Sheets and Google Forms
Use the Google Drive app and the Google Docs app on your Android phone or tablet, or iPhone or iPad to create and edit files on the go
Give presentations online or on your phone or tablet with Google Slides
Collaborate online with classmates and colleagues
Convert Microsoft Office documents to Google formats, and vice versa
Perform limited editing of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents
Print documents, drawings, and spreadsheets using Google Cloud Print
Revert to earlier versions of files using Google Drive
Export PDFs
Make pie charts, bar charts, and simple tables
Use Google Forms to gather data
Publish documents and spreadsheets online
The second edition of this popular guide covers the new Google Drive basics as well as the updated mobile and desktop interfaces for Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The tone of this Google Drive book is friendly and easy to understand, with lots of step-by-step instructions and examples and nearly 50 screenshots. The guide can be used by anyone with a PC, Mac, or Chromebook. It also includes instructions for using Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps on iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets.

In addition to serving as a solid introduction to new users, it's a great reference manual for more experienced users as well as for people making the transition from Microsoft Office, not to mention teachers using Google Drive for education and Google Docs in the classroom. It includes a glossary of keyboard shortcuts, as well as sections on document formatting, organizing and syncing files, offline documents, collaboration, and Office Compatibility Mode for Microsoft Office documents.
What readers are saying
Thousand of people have turned to Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes since the first edition was released. Here are some real reviews:

Bob:
”This little booklet should get a novice off and running using Google Drive and Docs. Even a pro will pick up a trick or two.”

Anonymous:
”My son gave me a Chromebook to replace my Netbook. He helped me prepare a slide presentation at work and transfer it to Slides. I understand it more now.”

Michael:
”I'm glad there is an entire chapter on collaboration, including setting it up, how it works, and what it looks like in operation. … Collaboration is truly a killer app and Google has made it easily accessible.”

Darlene:
”Excellent introduction to Google Drive. Well researched, easy to read, nicely organized.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Technology, Business

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2012

About the author

I am the author of a half-dozen “In 30 Minutes” guides, including Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes, Dropbox In 30 Minutes, Excel Basics In 30 Minutes, and Twitter In 30 Minutes. I’ve been writing about business, technology, education, and culture for years, starting with newspapers and magazines in the 1990s and later expanding to online media. I was the senior editor, new media for IDG’s Computerworld and served as the managing editor of The Industry Standard. My articles, essays, and blog posts have appeared in numerous locations, from the BBC World Service website to Lifehacker.

My interest in technology is rooted in early exposure to computers, video games, and science fiction. I am old enough to remember the original Battlestar Galactica, and read Gene Wolfe’s Shadow of the Torturer when I was 12. I have been writing science fiction short stories for more than 10 years, but in 2014, I took part in NaNoWriMo and managed to produce the first draft of my first science fiction novel which, unfortunately, requires significant revisions before it can be released!

My latest project is Lean Media (leanmedia.org) which is a framework for creating all kinds of media, from books to videogames. The first draft was completed in September 2016, and I expect the book to come out in 2017.

Reviews

[Ell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars! This little guide has some very useful information and tips for the beginner and regular users alike. It's a handy reference that includes clear step-by-step instructions for those who want to use Google Drive.

[Elliot A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher, i30 Media Corp., and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


The Gist

I never gave much thought to things like online drives and being able to access files across various computers. At some point I thought it might come in handy, but that was about it.

Then we got thrown into the lockdown era, when working from home became the relative norm. I was amazed by all that could be done remotely and could have used some guidance on how to use Google Drive back then.

Anyway, I learned a little through trial and error and clicking a whole bunch of buttons just to see what would happen.

But, this guidebook helped me get a bit more confidence in using Google Drive without breaking into a nervous sweat.


The Details

I appreciated the tone of the writing. It doesn’t sound stuffy or condescending. It’s welcoming and patient in helping the reader get started.

The chapters are well organized. They are easy to follow and the author doesn’t shy away from admitting that some aspects, such as the mobile app, are beyond the scope of the guide and offers links to find more assistance.


The Verdict

Overall, this is a good place to start learning Google Drive.

[Lisa Kosak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview on Google Drive and Docs!

This is a great little read on how to quickly use this great Google product. I needed an overview and wanted to learn some short cuts without reading an overwhelming detail filled book. This is great to keep on hand to reference as you use Google Docs and need some guidance.

[Lori Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful

What a helpful guide. Great for the less technologically sophisticated like myself. Explains in easy but detailed snippets and includes pictures and bonus material. Recommend.

[Darlene Hull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to Google drive. Well researched, easy to read, nicely organized.

[James Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was VERY helpful to me because through the years I have attempted to use more of Googles' excellent free applications, but I frequently get overwhelmed by the amount of options available. When I received this book from NetGalley, I decided to use it as a solid attempt again.

FIRST, I was not aware about adding Google Drive to my PC's explorer such as I had with OneDrive and Dropbox products. Wow! I was now hooked to continue going through Lamont's manual. The only downside I have to share is that it takes much longer to go through this book than only 30 minutes. I guess one could read it in that time, but I for one would get very little from it but a false sense of security without reading along and using Google Drive hands on.

Otherwise, this book was just what I needed at this time as I am trying to pull away from costly software (such as MS Office). For one, Google Docs has so much more to offer these days. I was unaware of its many templates! And although Sheets and Slides may be lesser than the MS standard as Lamont compares, I no longer need all of those extra bells and whistles now that I am retired. Even if I wasn't, the Google suite gives me more than enough options for file creations.

I like how Lamont started out with examples of who should use Google Drive, and once again I was persuaded as I found myself on the list (especially as one guilty of carrying several UBS drives around instead of using the cloud and sharing approaches to file availability.) And Lamont doesn't stop there as he gives glimpses into other aspects of Drive such as Forms and Drawing and Sites. Oh my!

Thanks to Mr Lamont's book for prompting me to try Google Drive once more -- and for real. The book is not too big, and not too small -- for me, this time, it is just right...

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

The book lives up to the title: it is a quick and easy read with enough basic information to get you started. Along with tips you'll also get suggestions on uses for each of the aps in the suite. There are many screen shots for reference to assist with covering the concepts.

The book goes over each of the aps so it is unlikely you'd read it all in one-go. Instead, you can spend a few minutes understanding the Drive interface at the beginning of the book and then proceed directly to the ap you want to learn to use. Most will likely gravitate to the document, spreadsheet, or slideshow creation applications.

Keep in mind that this is a survey course - it's not intended to show the full functionality or usage of each ap. e.g., the spreadsheet will give you a simple formula to show how to use it but you'll likely want to get a more in-depth book on spreadsheets for advanced work.

If I had one complaint, it's that I wish the screenshots were annotated. E.g., a number next to each of the areas of the screenshot that are then referenced in the text. You'll find that you have to do some searching in the picture to find a certain button or link. A good example is that a screenshot of the Drive page is given and then there are paragraphs describing everything on the page. This really could have used numbers on the screenshot to quickly locate the area being discussed.

In all, a quick and easy get-started guide. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Renee(Reneesramblings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess I am addicted to those 'Books for Dummies'. I've always found that I learn more tips and tricks from them than through any class or manual. I was intrigued by this title, Google Drive & Docs in 30 Minutes. I have spent much more than 30 minutes learning how the Google machine operates, and I was open to picking up some things I probably missed.
I have used Google sheets and documents for more than a year, but I still learned a few keyboard shortcuts. I would suggest this book to someone who is just starting to use this. Note to self: look for this kind of guide before fumbling around in the dark and getting frustrated trying to learn a new program. Also, you can easily read this in under 30 minutes, but I would follow along and try the information out while using Google. That will take a little more time, but it will be worth it.

[Michelle Ogden · Rating 5 out of 5]

During Covid and the great at home time, I had no access to my work PC. With only my iPad and iPhone what was I to do. Google was there with their suite of apps that made basic word processing and spreedsheets easy to use. Google Drive was so helpful when collaborating with other people and sharing files to edit.

However there was a learning curve, things worked differently and icons could be very different. I could not find the save button and without it how to I rename a file. Here is Ian Lamont with all the answers. This book was so helpful to a beginner at using these apps. Everything is explained in and easy to understand manner and is easy to find. No flipping through hundreds of pages to find the answer to a simple question.

Public libraries need to have one of these at their public access computers for customer reference.

[Ralf Nadir · Rating 2 out of 5]

MAY be helpful. Waste of my time. No index. Nothing, easy to find, on saving & folders.
Long time Office user, with nearly 40 years computer experience, teaching 86 year old computer illiterate mother 550 miles away how to use Google. With my limited experience with Google Drive, etc. I was able to find & explain how documents save and where they go. [Open appropriate folder, start new doc, then go to top of page to give it a name. Much more work than Office, but at least now we both know how to do it!]
This is why I first get books from the library--to see if worth the money to buy. NOT this one, back today.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yahoo! A instruction manual that did not scare me to death! I could not believe how easy I could understand what the author was explaining and I could follow the steps exactly without getting totally frustrated!

The book was setup well and it flowed from one topic to the next. The author knew his topic thoroughly.
I am not proficient at the computer, but I was able to keep up with these instructions.

I definitely would recommend this book.

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

[Jillian Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the best refresher on something I use day in and day out. For my job I am constantly using Google and all the nice applications that Google has to offer. This book was able to be read in 30 minutes and I will refer back to it. What I found most valuable was the Google Sheet and the Google Drive. I figured everyone using the Google products needed a gmail. I learned that anyone can access Google Docs, Sheets, etc.

[Marie Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

--Useful, Time Saver--

I received a review copy from the publisher through NetGalley and here are my thoughts.

It is definitely a useful guide that can save you time in learning about Google Drive and Docs.

The definitions are short, clear and to the point.

If it had more graphics to accompany explanations, I'd give it 5 stars.

[Zana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good information, but I felt like the amount of time that was spend explaining who uses the apps and how to download load them was unnecessary. Would be interested in seeing a more I depth version that dives deeper into formulas and how tos- I’m aware this is a MEGA beginners guide.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic, but it'll be a helpful resource for older patrons.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably quite helpful if you want to expand your use of Google. Helpful to me for using Forms. A quick read.

[Bokieie]

This is a 'must read' book for software developers, it contains a lot of best practices and advices that are proven to be useful.

[KT · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting and was informative. I would recommend it to those who have short period of time to learn an new application.

[Ro Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent Google Drive & Docs In 30 Minutes Reference guide. If you are a new user or even an experienced user, this is everything you need to know when using Google Drive.

[Witch-at-Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has some really useful tips to anyone unfamiliar with Google docs. Very well presented. I will definitely feel more confident going forward.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ebook is very helpful. It serves well as a good reference manual, but it's a good boost to get started.

[Bill Larrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty Infrmative

This book was pretty informative. I found that it was best st stop at various points an try out what information was being conveyed. I was then able to see how the apps worked and learn from experience as well as reading.

[John Connell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drive in 30

Basic but good and overall a very good summary for all beginners or those who want more... Try a u tube video

[Michele Selesky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really helped me. It gives you step by step instructions and answers a lot of questions. It doesn't explain enough about using Google Forms.

[Carlos Eliseo Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (2nd edition) is a very useful guide to Google Drive & Doc.