December Tidbit #2: Forcing the Make a Copy Option in Google Docs.

Many times you want to share a document with others where they can view what you have done. Often, you not only want them to view it, but you want them to use that as a starting point for them to then tweak the document and make it their own. This is easily done by

• clicking on share
• typing in their e-mail address
• and selecting the view option
• click done and an e-mail will go to them allowing them to view your document

In order for them to then, in turn, work on it, they must open the document, then click on file, make a copy and name the document for their use.

Sometimes, though, it’s nice for the link that you send them to automatically ask them to Make a Copy of the google document. You follow the same steps as above:

• Click on share
• Type in their e-mail address, select view
• BUT, then uncheck the e-mail option so it doesn’t e-mail them that you have shared a document
• Copy the highlighted URL that appears.
• Open your e-mail account.
• Create a new e-mail to the person you want to send the document so that they can make a copy.
• Paste the URL that you copied from above:

https://docs.google.com/a/hps.k12.ar.us/document/d/astringoflettersandnumbersthatrepresentthekeycodeforyourdocument/edit?usp=sharing

• Erase everything after the last slash AND make the following change:

https://docs.google.com/a/hps.k12.ar.us/document/d/astringoflettersandnumbersthatrepresentthekeycodeforyourdocument/copy

• Click to send the e-mail.
• Now when the recipient clicks on the link, it will ask them if they want to Make a Copy of the document and the document will automatically appear in their Google drive.

December Tip of the Month - Animated Gifs

Adding an Animated gif to a Published Google Document

I love the option of publishing Google Documents as web pages. However, I know that some people would like them to be a little jazzier. How about this option for snazzier pictures?

Step One

• Go to images.google.com and type in animated gif in the search bar. You will find a ton of possibilities. If there is a particular animated gif you might be interested in, add that information in front of the search criteria.
• For today, let’s search for Christmas animated gif
• I've posted a sample inserted animated gif to the right.

Step Two

• When you click on the different pictures that show up, you will be able to tell if they are animated or not.
• You will either get a still picture or a picture with movement.
• Once you have selected the picture you want to use, click on view image on the right hand side of your screen.

Step Three

• Copy the address URL at the top of your web browser for the animated gif that you have selected. (click on the address bar - the URL should highlight - click <CTRL><C>

Step Four

• Open your Google document that is your published web page.
• Select a location to place your animated picture.
• Click on that selected location
• Click on insert - image
• Click on By URL in the menu that pops up
• Paste your URL in the URL area
• Click Select at the bottom.
• Your animated GIF now appears on your published web page

If you haven't used published Google document pages as web pages, you are definitely missing out on simple ways to keep people updated and informed.