How to add checkboxes in Google Docs to create interactive to-do lists

Publish date: 2024-04-05

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The modern world is fueled by a never-ending array of tasks and to-do lists, and for good reason; there's nothing like a checkbox to help you (or others) stay on track. If you need to create a document with entries that can be "checked off" to indicate status or completion, Google Docs can help — it's easy to add checkboxes to any document, whether you're using Google Docs on a computer or mobile device.

How to add a checkbox in Google Docs on a computer

1. Go to Google Docs in a web browser and create a new document or open an existing one. 

2. Create the text that you want to add checkboxes to. For example, if you want to make a checklist, create a list of items on the page, and then select them.

3. Find the Bulleted list button in the toolbar and click the dropdown menu. In the bulleted list options, choose the hollow squares, which is usually the top-right selection. 

You can find the checkbox option in the bulleted list dropdown. Dave Johnson

The selected items should now be preceded by checkboxes. Anyone with permission to edit this document can click a checkbox which adds a checkmark and strikes through the accompanying text. 

The checkboxes in Google Docs are fully interactive. Dave Johnson

How to add a checkbox in Google Docs on a mobile device

You can add checkboxes in the Google Docs apps for Android and iOS just as easily. 

1. Start the Google Docs app and open the document you want to create the checkboxes in. 

2. Enter the text that will appear in your list and then select it. To do that, tap and hold, then drag the selection bar to include all the text you want selected.

3. Tap the Bulleted list button in the toolbar above the keyboard. The text will be bulleted, but the toolbar will expand to show the Checkbox button.

4. In the toolbar, tap the Checkbox button, which displays as two checkmarks in a list. 

Checkboxes are accessible from the toolbar in the Google Docs app. Dave Johnson
Dave Johnson Freelance Writer Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider. Read more Read less

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