Adding video to your Google Docs can be a game-changer for your presentations, projects, or reports. It’s a simple process that can make your documents more engaging and informative. Here’s a quick overview: you’ll need to have your video uploaded to YouTube or Google Drive, then you can insert it into your Google Doc using the ‘Insert’ menu. Let’s dive into the detailed steps to make sure you’ve got the hang of it.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Add Video to Google Docs
Before we begin, it’s important to note that you can’t upload a video directly to Google Docs. Instead, you’ll need to have the video uploaded to YouTube or Google Drive. The steps below will guide you through inserting a video from these platforms into your document.
Step 1: Open Your Google Doc
Open the Google Doc where you want to add the video.
This step is pretty straightforward, but make sure you have editing access to the document. If it’s shared with you, you may need to request edit access from the owner.
Step 2: Click on ‘Insert’
In the top menu of your Google Doc, click on ‘Insert’.
The ‘Insert’ menu is where you can add various elements to your document, such as images, tables, and links. It’s the gateway to enhancing your document with additional content.
Step 3: Select ‘Drawing’ then ‘New’
Hover over ‘Drawing’ and select ‘New’ from the submenu that appears.
This will open a new drawing canvas, which is where you’ll be able to add your video.
Step 4: Click on ‘Image’ then ‘By URL’
In the drawing tool, click on the image icon and select ‘By URL’.
You’ll need the URL of the video you want to add. If it’s on YouTube, just copy the video’s link from the address bar. If it’s a video from your Google Drive, make sure it’s shared publicly or with anyone who has the link, then copy the link.
Step 5: Paste the Video URL and Save
Paste the video URL into the field provided and click ‘Select’. Then click ‘Save and Close’.
Your video will now appear as an image in your Google Doc. When you click on this image, it will open a new tab and play the video.
After following these steps, you’ll have a clickable image in your Google Doc that will take viewers directly to your video. This method doesn’t embed the video to play directly within the document, but it provides an easy access point to the video content.
Tips: Enhancing Google Docs with Video
- Make sure the video you want to insert is already uploaded to YouTube or Google Drive.
- Double-check that the video on Google Drive is set to ‘Anyone with the link can view’ if you want everyone with access to the document to be able to view the video.
- Consider adding a title or caption to the video image in your Google Doc for context.
- Test the link after inserting it to make sure it works correctly.
- Use high-quality thumbnails for your videos, as this will be the first thing viewers see before clicking to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upload a video directly to Google Docs?
No, you cannot upload a video directly to Google Docs. You must first upload it to YouTube or Google Drive.
Can I play a video directly in Google Docs?
You cannot play videos directly in Google Docs. The method described creates a clickable image that links to the video.
What video formats are supported?
Since the video needs to be on YouTube or Google Drive, any format supported by these platforms will work.
Can viewers see the video if they don’t have access to the original file on Google Drive?
No, viewers will need access to the video file on Google Drive. Make sure to adjust the sharing settings accordingly.
Is it possible to add videos from other platforms aside from YouTube and Google Drive?
Currently, Google Docs only supports inserting videos via YouTube and Google Drive links.
Summary
- Open the Google Doc you want to add the video to.
- Click on ‘Insert’.
- Go to ‘Drawing’ and then select ‘New’.
- Click on ‘Image’ and choose ‘By URL’.
- Paste the video URL, click ‘Select’, and then ‘Save and Close’.
Conclusion
Incorporating videos into your Google Docs is a surefire way to elevate your content and make it stand out. Whether you’re aiming to provide a visual aid, a tutorial, or just embed a relevant clip, the process is relatively simple. Remember, you’re not directly uploading the video to your document; you’re essentially linking to it. This means that your viewers will need access to the video on the platform you’ve chosen, be it YouTube or Google Drive.
Nevertheless, it’s an effective way to add a multimedia element to an otherwise text-heavy document. With a bit of creativity and these easy steps, your Google Docs will never be the same. Plus, you now have some handy tips to optimize the experience. So why not give it a try? After all, a picture (or in this case, a video) is worth a thousand words, and adding video to Google Docs might just be the thing that takes your document from good to great.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.