How to Draw and Sign on Google Docs
Whether you want to add diagrams, flow charts, shapes, word art, or even a free-hand drawing including signatures, Google Docs has got you covered with Google Drawings. The tool is embedded into Google Docs (and other Google apps like Sheets) which provides features like charts, tables, and multiple formatting tools that you’re able to use inside Google Docs directly. Here’s how to draw in Google Docs documents using Google Drawings.
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Drawing and Signing in Google Docs
Google Docs’ native drawing feature is limited in functionality but can be helpful for users who want to add diagrams, few basic shapes, word arts, or just sign a document. you’re able to also import images or art from Google Drive or your computer’s local storage.
1.To start drawing on Google Docs, open an existing or a new doc and place your cursor in the document when you want to add a drawing.
2.Now selectInsert > Drawing > +Newoption to create a new drawing file.
3.This will open the Google Drawings tool in a pop-up view on top of Google Docs.
4.Here you can choose tools such as shape, text box, lines, actions, etc. from the toolbar to begin drawing or adding shapes. Each element like text or shape can be freely moved around on the blank canvas.
5.Once done, click onSave and Closeoption.
There is no option to open the Google Drawings app directly from Docs. So you can’t just switch to Google drawing if you need any tool that’s not available in the pop-up. But you open Google Drawing directly, create a drawing and then add it into your docs using Drive. Here’s how.
Import Drawings From Google Drawings
1.OpenGoogle Drawingand create your masterpiece.
2.Once you are done editing in Google Drawing, it will automatically save the file to Google Drive. You can click on thefolder iconbeside the title and move the file to your desired location in Drive.
3.Once done, get back to Docs and go toInsert > Drawing > From Driveto select the saved Google Drawing file that you created to add to Google Docs document.
Remember that any changes you make to the Google Drawings file later will also affect the drawing in your docs in real-time. It remains in sync.
How to Free-Hand Draw on Google Docs
You also have the option to draw using your free hand. This is how many people sign their PDFs for free. You can technically use a mouse, but using a stylus or touchpad makes gets better results. I normally use it for signing, but you can use it to draw anything as it has all the options you need like font size, colors, etc.
1.Just open the Docs and selectInsert > Drawing > +New.You also can create it directly in Google Drawings and insert it into Docs later.
2.Here in the pop-up, clickLine > Scribbleoption.
3.Now use a mouse or touchpad to start drawing. You will notice an option in the toolbar to change the size and color of the brush.
4.Once done, click onSave and Closeto add your drawing into Google Docs.
How to Draw on an Image on Google Docs
1.You have the option to draw on an image directly in Docs. Just like before,open Docsand selectInsert > Drawing > +New.
2.Click on theImageicon at the end of the toolbar.
3.You can upload an image, add it with a URL, select it from your Google Photos or Google Drive or even search on the web directly to add an image.
4.Once the image is added, continue drawing on top of it like you normally do. Once done, click onSave and Close.
That’s it, it will add the image and also your drawing on top of it.
How to Draw Using Third-Party Apps
Google Drawings is good for basic drawing but severely limited. Using third-party apps offers advanced tools, a greater variety of shapes, and better formatting options. For example, in thedraw.ioapp, you can choose layouts, vertical tree, horizontal flow, etc. These tools help create flow charts and Venn diagrams so easily that you don’t need to add shapes again and again to continue the flow chart.Similarly, you can also try other third-party apps likeLucid ChartsandSmart Draw. Just install the add-on in Google Docs and begin.
Once installed, you can create and work on these directly fromGoogle Drive > Newand select the app that you want to work with.
Now on Google Docs, you may place the cursor where you want to add the diagram and then select the optionAdd-onsin the toolbar.
Then select the add-on you are working on and then click onInsert Diagramto add the diagram from the Drive.
How to Sign PDFs in Google Docs
1.Upload the PDF file to Google Drive and then right-click on it to open with Google Docs.
2.Click onInsert > Drawing > Newto open the drawing tool.
3.SelectScribbleunder theLinemenu.
4.Once you have signed and are satisfied with the end result, click onSave and close.
- You can now move around or align the drawing (sign) to the desired position.
6.Now, go toFile > Downloadand selectPDFto export and download the file back in PDF format but with the sign.
Wrap Up: Drawing on Google Docs
I use the drawing feature in Google Docs to sign PDF files and the in-built options work fine for me. But if you are looking for more drawing tools, then I will definitely recommend Lucid Charts for flow charts and other graphs-related drawings.
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Ravi Teja KNTS
Tech writer with over 4 years of experience at TechWiser, where he has authored more than 700 articles on AI, Google apps, Chrome OS, Discord, and Android. His journey started with a passion for discussing technology and helping others in online forums, which naturally grew into a career in tech journalism. Ravi’s writing focuses on simplifying technology, making it accessible and jargon-free for readers. When he’s not breaking down the latest tech, he’s often immersed in a classic film – a true cinephile at heart.
