How to create a Google Docs shortcut on your computer desktop

In this article, we'll show you how to create a shortcut to a file stored in Google Docs on your computer desktop. To do this, on Windows (but not on macOS), you can use the Google Chrome browser. On macOS, save the web page as a webloc file using any web browser.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Windows

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 1

Step 1. Launch Google Chrome

Click on the red-green-yellow-blue circle icon. Chrome is the only browser with which you can create a shortcut to a web page on your desktop.

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 2

Step 2. Enter in the address bar and click ↵ Enter.

The address bar is at the top of the browser window. The Google Docs website will open.

A list of documents that you have recently opened will be displayed.
If you're not signed in yet, enter your Google account email address (or phone number) and password.

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 3

Step 3. Click on the document you want to create a shortcut for

The document will open in a web browser.

To create a shortcut to the list of documents on the desktop, skip this step, that is, stay on the page with the list of documents

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 4

Step 4. Click on ⋮

You will find this symbol in the upper right corner of Chrome (near the address bar). A menu will open.

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 5

Step 5. Hover your mouse over More Tools

This option is on the menu. A pop-up menu will appear.

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 6

Step 6. Click Create Shortcut

It's in the pop-up menu. A shortcut creation window will open.

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 7

Step 7. Enter a name for the shortcut

Do this on the line next to the blue sheet of paper icon. The shortcut can be referred to as a document or simply "Google Doc".

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 8

Step 8. Click Create

This button is in the Create Shortcut? Window. A shortcut to the selected document will be created on the desktop.

Method 2 of 2: macOS

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 9

Step 1. Open any web browser

The main browser on macOS is Safari, which looks like a blue compass. You can also launch Chrome, Firefox, or any other web browser.

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 10

Step 2. Enter in the address bar and click ↵ Enter.

The address bar is at the top of the browser window. The Google Docs website will open.

A list of documents that you have recently opened will be displayed.
If you haven't signed in yet, enter your Google account email address (or phone number) and password.

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 11

Step 3. Click on the document you want to create a shortcut for

The document will open in a web browser.

To create a shortcut to the list of documents on the desktop, skip this step, that is, stay on the page with the list of documents

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 12

Step 4. Drag the web browser window to display the desktop

If the browser window is maximized to full screen, click on the green button in the upper left corner to exit full screen mode. Now press and hold the black space in the tab bar at the top of the web browser window and drag it down to display the desktop. You can also drag the left or right border of the browser window to shrink it.

Create a Desktop Shortcut for Google Docs on PC or Mac Step 13

Step 5. Click on the address

You will find it in the address bar at the top of your web browser window. The address will be highlighted. If only part of the address is selected, click at the end of the address and drag your mouse over the entire address to select it.