How to Use the Google Docs Outline Tool

Long documents can be difficult to navigate in Google Docs. Google Docs has a feature called the Outline Tool, and it helps you quickly jump around your document and find the sections you need. Learn how to use it in the desktop and mobile versions of Google Docs.

How to Open the Google Docs Outline Tool

To open the Outline Tool, follow these steps:

Desktop/Web

The steps for opening the outline tool differs slightly depending on which version of Google Docs you're using. Follow these steps if you're on a desktop.

1. Open the item you're working on in Google Docs.

2. Click the View menu.

3. Select Show document outline.

   Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+Alt+A or Ctrl+Alt+H.

4. Once you’ve enabled the Outline Tool, the outline for your document will appear in the left-hand document pane.

Android/iOS

To enable the document outline on an Android or iOS device, tap More (the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner), and choose Document Outline. The outline will appear at the bottom of the screen.

How to Make a Google Docs Outline

Once the Outline Tool is enabled, creating or adding to the outline for the document is simple.

Desktop/Web:

Google Docs pulls items for the Outline View based on headings you've created. Here's how to mark text to navigate on the web version:

1. For new documents, create a single line of bold or underlined text to automatically add a heading to the outline.

2. For existing documents, format a single line of text using bold or underline formatting, or use the format menu to choose a heading option.

   To create levels in your outline, format the headings using the Format menu to designate headings as Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3, or Heading 4. While the title will appear in an outline, the subtitle will not.

3. Your outline will begin to take form in the Outline pane to the left of the document.

Android/iOS:

The Google Sheets app for Android and iOS uses the same criteria as the web version to create an outline.

1. For new documents, create a single line of bold or underlined text to automatically add a heading to the outline.

2. For existing documents, format a single line of text using bold or underline formatting, or use the format menu to choose a heading option.

   To format headings so they are assigned to designated levels in your outline, tap Format > Text > Style, and then choose the desired heading level. Also, while the title will appear in an outline, the subtitle will not.

3. Your outline will display at the bottom of your screen.

How to Navigate a Google Docs Outline

Once you’ve created an outline in your Google Docs document, navigating through the document using the outline is easy. On the web, click the section of the outline you want to access, and your cursor will move to the beginning of that section.

On Android and iOS devices, open the outline and tap the place in the outline where you want to go. Alternatively, if the outline is enabled, you’ll see a double-arrow slider appear on the right side of the document. Tap it to open the outline, and then select a location to jump your cursor there.