How To Add a Video to Google Docs [3 Easy Methods]

Nowadays, most people prefer watching videos to reading blocks of text. Thus, adding videos to your Google Docs file can quickly grab your readers’ attention and keep them engaged.

In this guide, we’ll explore the different methods on how to add a video to Google Docs.

Whether you want to include educational videos, product demonstrations, or engaging multimedia content, mastering the art of adding videos to Google Docs will expand your creative possibilities and captivate your audience.

Benefits of Adding a Video to Google Docs

Adding a video to Google Docs is relatively uncommon. After all, most people use Google Docs to create documents consisting mainly of text and sometimes images. However, there are several advantages to inserting videos into a document, such as the following:

1. Improve Comprehension

Adding videos to Google Docs can help clarify complex concepts by providing visual representations that complement the text. This makes it easier for readers to grasp the information and reduces the need for lengthy explanations.

2. Make Documents More Engaging

Videos can make your Google Docs more engaging. They capture the reader’s attention and encourage them to spend more time on the document. This is especially useful for educational materials and presentations.

3. Provide visual aids for complex topics

Visual aids can significantly help break down complicated subjects into more digestible content. By incorporating videos, you can provide additional context and examples, making it easier for readers to understand the topic.

4. Accessible and easy-to-use feature

One of the advantages of using Google Docs is its ease of use and accessibility. Adding a video to a Google Docs document is a straightforward process, enabling even less tech-savvy users to enhance their content with multimedia.

How To Add a Video to Google Docs

There are different methods available for adding a video to Google Docs. Let’s take a look at them one by one:

Method 1: Inserting a Video Link

The simplest way to add a video to Google Docs is by inserting a hyperlink to a video hosted on a platform like YouTube, Vimeo, or another video hosting service. When readers click on the link, they will be redirected to the video in their web browser, enabling them to watch it directly.

To get started, follow the steps below:

1. Open the video you want to add in a separate tab or window. Copy the URL of the video from the address bar.
2. Go to your Google Docs account and open the document where you want to add the video.
3. Position your cursor at the desired location in the document where you want to insert the video.
4. Click the “Insert link” icon on the toolbar or press “Ctrl + K” on Windows (“Command + K” for Mac).

5. Then, paste the video link you copied by either right-clicking and selecting “Paste” or using the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + V” (for Windows) or “Command + V” (for Mac).
6. Click “Apply,” and it will be automatically converted into a hyperlink.

7. If necessary, edit or replace the link text by clicking on the link in the document and selecting “Edit link” or “Remove link.”

8. If desired, you can also format the link text using the formatting options in the toolbar to change the font, color, or underline the text.
9. To ensure the video link works correctly, you can click on it while in editing mode. This will open the video in a new tab or window, allowing you to verify that it plays correctly.

Method 2: Inserting a YouTube Video Using Google Slides and Drawing Tool

The second method uses a mix of Google Slides and the Google Drawing tool. Here’s what you can do:

1. Create a Google Slides file.
2. Click the “Insert” option from the toolbar.
3. Click “Video” from the drop-down menu.

4. Enter the video’s URL in the “YouTube” option, click on it, and select “Insert.”

5. Next, open a Google Docs file or create a new one.
6. Place the cursor where the video should appear within your document
7. Click the “Insert” option from the top toolbar.
8. Select “Drawing” in the drop-down menu and click “New.”

9. Copy the video from your Google Slides and paste it into Google Docs using the “Paste” option via the “Actions” toolbar at the top of the screen.

Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcuts to copy “Ctrl + C” (Windows) or “Command + C” (Mac) and paste “Ctrl + V” (Windows) or “Command + V” (Mac).

10. Click and drag the corners of the video to resize and reposition it.
11. Click “Save and Close” to save the changes.

Note: This method does not directly play the video within the document itself. You must click on the image and play the video inside the drawing window.

Related: How to Add a Video to Google Slides [Complete Guide]

Method 3: Using Third-Party Add-Ons

Google Docs offers various third-party add-ons through the Google Workspace Marketplace. Some add-ons specialize in video integration, providing tools and features to insert and manage videos within your documents. You can explore these add-ons to find options that suit your needs.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to insert videos into your Google Docs using the DocuTube Viewer add-on:

1. Open your Google Docs document where you want to add the video.
2. Click “Extensions” in the top menu bar and select “Add-ons.” If you haven’t installed DocuTube Viewer yet, select “Get add-ons.”

3. Search for “DocuTube Viewer.” Click “Install” and grant the necessary permissions.

4. Once installed, copy and paste your video URL into your document.
5. Click the “Extensions” menu and select “DocuTube Viewer” > “Watch” in the drop-down menu.
6. In the sidebar that appears, click “Load Videos.”

7. Upon clicking, DocuTube will show the video linked in your Google Docs document.

There you have it! You can now enjoy multimedia content directly within your Google Docs.

Tips for Using Videos in Google Docs

Once you’ve learned how to insert a video into Google Docs, you can optimize this strategy with the following tips:

1. Keep Videos Relevant and Concise

Ensure that the videos you add are directly related to the content of your document. Additionally, aim for shorter videos that convey the necessary information concisely, as online users have shorter attention spans.

2. Use High-Quality and Accessible Videos

Choose videos with clear visuals and audio to provide a better viewing experience for your readers. Avoid using blurry or low-quality videos that may detract from the overall quality of your content.

3. Ensure Proper Permissions for Shared Videos

If you’re using videos in shared documents, ensure you have the necessary permissions to avoid any issues with viewing or playback. Additionally, ensure that the videos you include can be accessed and viewed by everyone with access to the document.

4. Use a Template

Templates can be useful for giving your document a polished and professional look. Consider using a template specifically designed for documents with multimedia content to save time and enhance the visual appeal of your document.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to add a video to Google Docs can greatly enhance the impact of your documents. By incorporating videos, you can improve the comprehension of complex topics, make your content more visually appealing, and provide a better user experience. Embracing the power of videos can turn your documents into captivating and informative resources.

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