How To Make/Create a Manual in Google Docs [Templates + Examples] 2023

Manuals are essential instructional and reference guides. They help direct and inform an individual’s actions and also explain how to proceed in the correct and acceptable way. 

Create a Manual in Google Docs – Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a manual can be done with the use of word processor apps such as Google Docs. The free online document creator and editor has all the tools to create an instructional and operational manual. 

Step 1: Download a Manual Template

Template.net offers a wide variety of editable and printable manual templates. The best way to start is to use a template that suits your needs. 

Step 2: Select Google Docs File Format

Next, select Google Docs from the list of file format options. 

Step 3: Open the Template Using Google Docs

Once you have saved the manual template to your files, open the document using Google Docs. Note that you need a Gmail account to edit the document. 

Step 4: Edit the Manual Title

To start off, create an original and appropriate title for your manual. You can also edit the format or style of the title by adjusting the font, size, and color.  

Step 5: Indicate the Author or Publisher

Below the title, place the complete name of the author or creator of the manual. In some cases, a manual can be the result of a collaborative effort among multiple team members.   

Step 6: Enumerate the Guidelines and Measures

Depending on the specific type of manual you are creating, you can have different rules and measures put in place. For instance, a health and safety manual will identify and enumerate the different topics with regard to maintaining health and safety. 

Step 7: Provide More Details and Additional Notes 

A good manual contains instructions, rules, or regulations that are divided into sections. Feel free to provide as many sections and subsections as you need. The important thing to keep in mind is that each section of your manual is clear, accurate, specific, and implementable.  

Step 8: Insert Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions or FAQs help anticipate common questions that the reader or audience might have. You may list down as many FAQs as you want for as long as they are relevant and helpful to the reader.

Step 9: Include an Authority’s Approval 

On the last page of your manual, include the name and signature of an administrative figure noting that the contents of the manual are duly reviewed and approved by an authoritative body. A manual can have more than one signatory as the approving party.   

Step 10: Print and Share the Manual

Once you are done editing, make sure to review each section of the manual. The last step is to download, share, or print the document.

Manual Templates & Examples

With the many different kinds of manuals that are available, it can sometimes be tricky to find one that matches your exact need. Browse the list of manual templates and examples and look for one that you can tailor to fit your needs. 

Assembly Instruction Manual Template

An assembly instruction manual is incredibly useful especially for people who would rather do things themselves without any assistance. It is important for an instruction manual to break down each step clearly and logically to make it easy for the reader to understand.   

Provider Instruction Manual Template

Whether you provide a food service or internet service, an instruction guide is essential in order to deliver consistent results. The sample provider instruction manual template is easily customizable and suits any service-oriented business. 

Job Instruction Manual Template

A manual is necessary particularly for highly specialized and skill-specific types of work. Use and share the job instruction manual template with your department or team members for a more streamlined workflow. 

Training Manual Booklet Template

From First Aid, to recruitment and onboarding, to technical vocational courses, a training manual booklet or book is a must. The right training is needed for people to perform a job optimally and correctly.  

Health and Safety Manual Template

Whether you work in the construction business or the healthcare sector, a health and safety manual is a requirement. Feel free to download and edit the manual template according to your company’s safety goals and objectives. 

Technical Instruction Manual Template

A technical instruction manual is a must for specialized and complex types of work. The editable template can be used in the field of technical writing, mechanical operations, and other technical vocations. 

User Instruction Manual Template

Helping customers and clients to get the most out of a product (or service) is a primary goal of customer service. With a user instruction manual, you basically instruct the reader how to operate and maximize a particular product or service. 

Software Instruction Manual Template

When it comes to any type of new technology, an instruction guide often needs to be provided for the general public. A software instruction manual, for example, is needed for new users to properly execute or operate the software.  

Operations Manual Template

Most companies and organizations aim for more streamlined and standardized systems. With the versatile operations manual template, you can use it not only for operations but for business processes, recruitment processes, and other work procedures. 

Professional Instruction Manual Template

Any legitimate business needs an internal and professional instruction manual or code of conduct. Feel free to download the sample manual and edit the sections to make it suit your company goals. 

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