Circling something in Google Docs is a handy skill to have, especially if you need to highlight a particular section of text or an image. It’s a simple process that involves inserting a drawing into your document and then adding a shape. Here’s a quick overview: open your Google Doc, go to the ‘Insert’ menu, select ‘Drawing’, click ‘+ New’, use the ‘Shapes’ tool to draw a circle, save and close the drawing, and voila – you’ve circled something in your document!
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Circle Something in Google Docs
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s understand what we’re aiming for here. By following these steps, you’ll learn how to insert a drawing into your Google Doc and use the drawing tools to create a circle around the item you wish to highlight.
Step 1: Open your Google Doc
Open the Google Doc where you want to circle something.
Opening your document is, of course, the first step. Make sure you’re logged into your Google account and have the document ready.
Step 2: Go to the ‘Insert’ menu
Click on the ‘Insert’ menu located at the top of your screen.
The ‘Insert’ menu is where all the magic begins. It’s the gateway to adding all sorts of goodies to your document.
Step 3: Select ‘Drawing’
From the drop-down menu, click on ‘Drawing’ and then select ‘+ New’.
This will open a new window where you can create your drawing.
Step 4: Use the ‘Shapes’ tool
Once in the drawing window, click on the ‘Shapes’ icon and choose the ‘Oval’ shape.
The ‘Shapes’ tool offers various options, but for circling, we’ll use the oval shape as it can be easily adjusted to a circle.
Step 5: Draw a circle
Draw the circle around the item you wish to highlight.
Click and drag your mouse to create the circle. You can adjust the size and shape as needed.
Step 6: Save and Close the drawing
After drawing the circle, click ‘Save and Close’ to insert the drawing into your Google Doc.
Your drawing will now appear in your document, perfectly circling the item you wanted to highlight.
After completing these steps, the circle will be visible around the text or image you wanted to highlight. You can move or resize the circle as needed by clicking on it and using the bounding box handles.
Tips: Perfecting Your Circle in Google Docs
- Tip 1: Use the shift key while drawing your circle to make it perfectly round.
- Tip 2: Adjust the line thickness of your circle to make it more visible.
- Tip 3: Change the line color if you want your circle to stand out more.
- Tip 4: If you make a mistake, use the ‘Undo’ button to go back a step.
- Tip 5: Experiment with the dashed line options for a different style of circling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a fill color to my circle?
Yes, you can add a fill color to your circle by selecting the ‘Fill color’ tool in the drawing window and choosing your desired color.
How do I delete a circle I’ve made?
To delete a circle, click on it to select it and then press the ‘Delete’ key on your keyboard.
Can I circle something in Google Docs on a mobile device?
Yes, you can circle items in Google Docs on mobile by using the Google Docs app and following similar steps.
Is it possible to add text inside the circle?
Yes, you can add text inside your circle by using the ‘Text box’ tool within the drawing window.
How do I save my circle so I can use it again later?
To save your circle, you’ll need to save the entire drawing. You can then copy and paste the drawing into other documents as needed.
Summary
- Open your Google Doc.
- Go to the ‘Insert’ menu.
- Select ‘Drawing’, then ‘+ New’.
- Use the ‘Shapes’ tool and choose the ‘Oval’ shape.
- Draw a circle around the item you wish to highlight.
- Save and Close the drawing.
Conclusion
Circling something in Google Docs is a breeze once you know the steps. Whether you’re a student highlighting important information for a study guide, a professional pointing out key metrics in a report, or just someone trying to draw attention to a specific part of your document, the ability to circle items can be invaluable. Plus, it adds a visual element that can make your document more engaging.
Don’t be afraid to play around with the different options. You can change the color, thickness, and dash settings of your circle to customize it to your liking. And remember, practice makes perfect! The more you use the drawing tool, the more comfortable you’ll become with it.
Now that you know how to circle something in Google Docs, go ahead and give it a try. You’ll find that this simple skill can make a big difference in the clarity and visual appeal of your documents. Happy circling!
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.