How to Find Words in Google Docs

Google Doc is designed like other standard word processing software. It has the same features and tools as Microsoft Word. Just like it is easy to search for words or phrases in other word processing software, it is easy in Google Docs.

When writing or editing a document, we search for words either to replace them or edit them. It takes a few clicks to find any word or phrase in a Google document. This article will guide you on how to go about it. Here are the steps to follow when searching for words in Google Docs.

There are two ways which you can use to search for words in Google Docs

Method 1; Find and Replace

Step 1:

  • Open Google Drive using the link; https://drive.google.com. Sign in and go to your documents and select the Google document you want to edit. You can also create a new Google doc or import it from your files on your computer.

Step 2:

  • On an open Google document that has content written, click on the “Edit Button” on the taskbar.
  • A drop-down menu with options will appear, choose the last option called “Find and replace.”

Step 3:

  • A dialog box will pop up if you select the Find and Replace option.
  • In the dialog box, there is a blank space where you write the word or phrase that you want to search for from the open Google Doc.
  • Type the word or phrase you are looking for and click next to view each as they appear in the article.

Step 4:

If you want to replace the word with another, there is a blank space for typing the word that is being used to replace the original word. Type the words in their appropriate place;

  • You can click replace as you go throughout the article.
  • you can also click “Replace All” to change all at once.

 

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut

This method is easier and quicker to use. It uses a combination of keys on your keyboard.

Step 1:

To find words that you do not want to replace;

  • Press CTRL+F on your keyboard. The keyboard combination can differ with different computers.
  • On Mac, press  Command+F.

Step 2:

When you want to find a word that you wish to replace;

  • Press the combination CTRL+H.
  • On a Mac computer, the combination is different; press Command+Shift+H. Pressing these combinations will bring the dialog box of Find and Replace.

 Step 3:

Just like in the first method, type the word you wish to find and the one you want to replace it with.  After you have typed them in their appropriate places, proceed to replace them.

Conclusion

If you are familiar with Microsoft Word and how to find words and replace them, Google Docs should not be a problem because the method is basically the same. The keyboard combinations are the same. Google Docs has many common features and tools with Microsoft Word; toolbars, fonts, bullet points, bolding, italics, underline, lists, etc. Since Google Docs is accessible via other channels like phone apps, the method of searching for words may vary.

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