How to Make Copies of Google Documents Shared With You As "View Only"

Have you ever come across a Google Document or Google Presentation on the web that you wanted to have a copy of for yourself but discovered that it was shared as "view only?" Most of the Google Documents and Presentations that I share on this blog are marked "view only." Even if the document or presentation is marked "view only" you can still create a copy for yourself. The directions below show you how (the directions apply to Documents, Presentations, and Sheets).

Step 1:

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Step 2:

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Step 3:

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Applications for Education
Sharing Google Documents and Presentations as "view only" is a good way to distribute directions for assignments or templates for completing assignments. By sharing the Google Document or Presentation as "view only" all of your students can see it, but they cannot change what you've written on the document or presentation. Have them follow the directions above to make copies of their own that they can edit without affecting the originally shared item.