If you’re looking to create a quick PDF you can simply copy and paste your document (or spreadsheet) into Google Docs and export it to a PDF. Neat, huh?
Wait, why aren’t you using Google Docs as your primary word processor or spreadsheet application?
Pros
- Access everything from home, work, neighbor’s computer.
- Simple online interface and no bloated software to install.
- Ability to share and easily collaborate.
- Easy to post content online.
- Revisions!
Cons
- Cannot (yet?) access offline.
- Big privacy and security concern.
- No grammar checking.
- Very simplistic styling (cannot change line spacing, header/footer, among others).
All my documents at work need to be done on my computer (in Microsoft Office) because of the collaboration tools we use. But, all my personal documents from now on are in Google Docs. What are your thoughts on online software? Any other pros/cons I missed?
While in school I use Google Docs a great deal for collaborating but before ever turning anything in or publishing anything I still have to download and adjust the documents to fix margins and font sizes (as you mention with very simplistic styling).
It’s a great solution, but I still can’t call it a complete solution for me.
Ahh yeah, I didn’t use Google Docs during school (and I’m not sure why not right now). I guess I just always had my laptop with me. Good points, Zach.
Google Docs is broken save for the most informal documents. Everything I write for school needs a configurable header and specific margins.
Yeah that makes sense. Ever considered doing the work in Docs then exporting it when you’re ready? Seems like that could work just fine.
I use Google Docs all the time. The biggest issue that I have with it is how slow it is. One of my computers only has 512MB of RAM and it’s an awful experience to use the Google docs spreadsheet app. In those cases where it’s just too slow I’ll export to Open Office and do it that way.
Awesome tip though, I totally didn’t realize that you could do that. Hmm, what could I PDF-ize?
I love the portability, but the simplistic styling for me sometimes actually limits functionality a bit too much.