How do You check word count on Google docs?

How to Check Word Count on Google Docs

As a writer, editor, or proofreader, keeping track of word count is an essential task. Whether you’re submitting a document to a client, submitting an article to a publication, or simply tracking your progress, knowing your word count is crucial. Fortunately, Google Docs provides an easy way to check your word count. In this article, we’ll explore how to check word count on Google Docs, including some additional tips and tricks to help you manage your writing.

How to Check Word Count on Google Docs

To check your word count on Google Docs, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open Your Document

First, open the document you want to check the word count for. Make sure it’s a Google Docs document, as the word count feature is only available for Google Docs.

Step 2: Click on the "Tools" Menu

Click on the "Tools" menu located in the top navigation bar of your Google Docs window. A drop-down menu will appear with various options.

Step 3: Select "Word Count"

From the drop-down menu, select "Word Count". This will open a new window displaying your document’s word count.

Word Count Window

The word count window displays the following information:

• Word Count: The total number of words in your document.
• Character Count: The total number of characters, including spaces, in your document.
• Character Count (without spaces): The total number of characters, excluding spaces, in your document.
• Page Count: The number of pages in your document, assuming standard page layout settings.

Additional Tips

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the word count feature:

• Use the word count tool frequently: Keep an eye on your word count throughout your writing process to ensure you’re within the desired word count range.
• Check word count for each section: Divide your document into sections and use the word count feature for each section to track your progress.
• Calculate total word count: If you need to combine multiple documents, use the word count feature to combine the word counts.

How to Check Word Count for Specific Parts of Your Document

Sometimes, you may want to check the word count for specific parts of your document, such as a single paragraph or a specific section. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Select the text: Select the text you want to check the word count for. You can do this by highlighting the text or using your mouse to select the area.
2. Right-click: Right-click on the selected text.
3. Select "Word count": From the context menu, select "Word count". A window with the word count for the selected text will appear.

Tracking Word Count for Multiple Documents

Multiple Document Word Count

If you have multiple documents that need to be edited or reviewed, it can be challenging to keep track of each document’s word count. Here’s a simple solution:

1. Open all documents: Open all the documents you need to track the word count for in separate tabs.
2. Save as PDF: Save each document as a PDF file.
3. Use Adobe Acrobat: Open Adobe Acrobat and use its built-in word count feature to calculate the word count for each document.

Using Google Sheets to Track Word Count

You can also use Google Sheets to track word count for multiple documents. Here’s how:

1. Create a new sheet: Create a new spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
2. Create columns: Create columns for each document, including a column for word count.
3. Insert formula: In each column, insert the formula =thisDoc.totalWords() and press enter. This will count the word count for each document.
4. Adjust formulas: Adjust the formulas to suit your needs, such as counting word count for specific sections or parts of each document.

Conclusion

In conclusion, checking word count on Google Docs is a simple process that can be done with just a few clicks. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily track your word count and stay on top of your writing tasks. Remember to use the word count feature frequently, check word count for specific parts of your document, and consider using Google Sheets to track word count for multiple documents.