Google docs allows for multiple users to access and edit documents/spreadsheets/etc. simultaneously via the cloud. This makes Google Docs an excellent tool for collaborative projects such as manuscript and grant preparation. Google Docs also allows for several layers of access permission such as edit and read-only.
The basis of Google Docs is Google Drive. Drive allows users to store documents in the cloud that can be accessed by Google Docs, as well as providing for storage of other files like pictures, video etc. Every user gets 15GB of free storage that is shared between your google drive account, your gmail account and your google photos. Anything that is created with Google Docs (Docs, Sheets or Slides) does not count against your storage quota. Additional storage is available for purchase if needed. Drive is accessible everywhere, even via a smartphone or tablet.
1. Go to Google Drive on the web at drive.google.com.
2. Download and install Drive to your Mac or PC. Follow the prompts to register Drive and set it up
3. Add files to your Drive so they are accessible
4. Access the files in Docs to edit them.
