How to Show How Many Words You've Typed on Google Docs and Why Counting Words is Like Counting Stars

How to Show How Many Words You've Typed on Google Docs and Why Counting Words is Like Counting Stars

When it comes to writing, whether it’s an essay, a novel, or a business report, keeping track of your word count is essential. Google Docs, one of the most popular word processors, offers a straightforward way to monitor your progress. But beyond the technicalities of word counting, there’s a deeper, almost philosophical question: why do we count words, and what does it mean for our writing? In this article, we’ll explore how to show how many words you’ve typed on Google Docs, and we’ll also delve into the broader implications of word counting in the digital age.

How to Show Word Count in Google Docs

  1. Using the Toolbar: The simplest way to check your word count in Google Docs is by using the built-in word count tool. To access it, click on “Tools” in the top menu, then select “Word count.” A pop-up window will appear, displaying not only the total number of words but also the number of pages, characters, and characters excluding spaces.

  2. Keyboard Shortcut: For those who prefer keyboard shortcuts, you can quickly bring up the word count window by pressing Ctrl + Shift + C on Windows or Cmd + Shift + C on Mac.

  3. Real-Time Word Count: If you want to keep an eye on your word count as you type, Google Docs offers a real-time word count feature. To enable this, go to “Tools” > “Word count” and check the box that says “Display word count while typing.” A small box will appear at the bottom left corner of your document, updating automatically as you write.

  4. Selective Word Count: Sometimes, you might want to know the word count of a specific section of your document. To do this, highlight the text you’re interested in, then use the word count tool or shortcut as described above. The pop-up window will show the word count for the selected text only.

  5. Mobile App: If you’re using the Google Docs mobile app, the process is slightly different. Tap the three vertical dots in the upper right corner, then select “Word count.” The app will display the total word count for your document.

The Philosophy of Word Counting

Now that we’ve covered the technical aspects, let’s dive into the more abstract question: why do we count words? Is it merely a practical tool, or does it carry deeper significance?

  1. Quantifying Creativity: Word counting can be seen as a way to quantify creativity. By setting a word goal, writers can measure their progress and feel a sense of accomplishment as they reach milestones. However, this raises the question: does focusing on word count stifle creativity, or does it provide a necessary structure?

  2. The Illusion of Productivity: In the digital age, where productivity is often measured in numbers, word count can become a proxy for progress. But is a higher word count always indicative of better writing? Sometimes, brevity is the soul of wit, and a concise, well-crafted sentence can be more impactful than a lengthy, meandering paragraph.

  3. The Pressure of Perfection: For some writers, the constant monitoring of word count can create pressure to produce more, leading to stress and burnout. It’s important to remember that writing is a process, and sometimes, the best ideas come when we allow ourselves the freedom to write without constraints.

  4. The Role of Technology: Tools like Google Docs make it easier than ever to track our writing progress. But as we become more reliant on technology, we must also consider the impact it has on our writing habits. Are we becoming too focused on the numbers, or are we using these tools to enhance our creativity?

  5. The Future of Writing: As AI and machine learning continue to evolve, we may see even more advanced tools for tracking and analyzing our writing. But no matter how sophisticated these tools become, the essence of writing—expressing ideas, telling stories, and connecting with others—will always remain at the heart of the craft.

Q: Can I set a word count goal in Google Docs? A: While Google Docs doesn’t have a built-in feature for setting word count goals, you can manually track your progress using the word count tool. Alternatively, you can use third-party add-ons or extensions that offer more advanced goal-setting features.

Q: Does Google Docs count words in footnotes and endnotes? A: Yes, Google Docs includes words in footnotes and endnotes when calculating the total word count. If you want to exclude these, you’ll need to manually subtract them from the total.

Q: Can I see the word count for multiple documents at once? A: Google Docs doesn’t offer a feature to view the word count for multiple documents simultaneously. However, you can use Google Sheets to create a spreadsheet that tracks the word count of multiple documents by using the IMPORTXML function or a script.

Q: Is there a way to export the word count data from Google Docs? A: Google Docs doesn’t provide a direct way to export word count data. However, you can copy the information from the word count pop-up window and paste it into another document or spreadsheet for further analysis.

Q: How accurate is the word count in Google Docs? A: The word count in Google Docs is generally accurate, but it may differ slightly from other word processors due to differences in how spaces, hyphens, and other characters are counted. For most purposes, the discrepancy is negligible.