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How to make an invoice template in Google Docs.
Learn how to use Google Docs for drafting professional invoices.
Whether you’re running a microbusiness or freelance in the gig economy, you need an invoice template that aligns with your pricing strategy. Numerous platforms and software options can help you create professional invoices. What are the perks of learning how to create a Google Docs invoice template?
Google Docs can fulfill your need for template flexibility and make it easy to invoice your clients. Once you’ve perfected your template, you’ll save time and reduce the risk of billing errors, thereby improving transparency and supporting steady cash flow.
The question is, what specific details should a professional invoice contain? More importantly, what’s the most efficient way to invoice your clients? The steps below will help you create a Google Docs invoice that’s adaptable and relevant to your business.
4 steps to create a Google Docs invoice template.
With Google Docs, you’ll master how to create accurate, professional invoices in no time. The application is easy to use and allows you to create any type of invoice you need.
Signing into your Docs account allows you to work on your invoices from anywhere. You can even create and share billing documents, including pro forma invoices, for client review. Your clients can effortlessly access the document via their own Docs accounts, or you can convert the invoice to PDF for easy sharing.
Just follow these simple steps:
- Log in to your Google Docs account. In the home page, click the button labeled Template Gallery.
- Pick out the right Google Docs invoice template for your professional needs. While Google Docs doesn’t include a specific invoice template, you can use other templates to create a typical invoice template. You’ll have plenty to choose from. When you’ve selected the perfect option, save it to your Google Drive so you can open it automatically whenever you need to create an invoice.
- Edit your invoice as needed. Each time you need to change your template, log in to your Google account, select your Google Docs invoice template, and modify it as needed. You should choose a standard naming convention so you can quickly find the file you’re looking for. You can include the invoice number, date, and customer name in the file name.
- Finish and export. Save the invoice to your Drive, export it as a PDF, email it, or choose another option to send it to your customer. A PDF is ideal because it ensures no one else can edit the document. You can include a short description of the attachment in the email body.
Once you create your template, you can keep a lot of the same information for future invoices but change a few details depending on the customer and the purchase.
What to include in an invoice template in Google Docs.
You’ll need to know what key information to include when making a Google Docs invoice. Having the right information from the start will help streamline the payment process and could even be useful for tax purposes.
Here’s what you should start with to make an invoice template for Google Docs:
- Identifying information. Create space for both parties’ identifying information, including company name, address, and phone number.
- Dates. Clear up confusion about your expected timeline by including your invoice’s date and the due date.
- Invoice number. Provide a number for your Google Docs invoice for reference in other communications.
- Service or product information. Define what the invoice is for and prominently feature this information on the invoice.
- Rates, totals, and payment specifics. Spell out the price in a way that makes sense for the service or product, such as an hourly rate. Always make sure to include the total.
- Notes. Consider including details like preferred payment methods, notes about the service, or a polite thank-you message.
Tips for creating an invoice template for Google Docs.
While your Google Docs invoice won’t necessarily be your most important design decision, you can make it look more professional and straightforward.
Include these elements for a more polished look:
- Company logo at the top
- Subtle separation between sections
- Plenty of white space
- Muted colors if you’re using a table
- Headings of a different color
To save time, create your Google Docs invoice template so that specific categories are automatically filled in whenever you access it. Those categories would be the ones that are the same every time, such as your business contact information. After you’ve assembled your invoice template, you can share it with your customers to sign and send payment.
Get your Google Docs invoice signed.
Once you’ve created a comprehensive invoice with Google Docs, your invoicing process is nearly complete. However, you may have to add a few details, like signatures, to your invoice. Fortunately, the step-by-step process for how to add a digital signature on Google Docs invoice is pretty simple. Adobe Acrobat for business can help you streamline your recurring invoicing tasks, including all your electronic signature needs.
When you need to collect payment, Acrobat enables customers to fill out forms, sign them, and pay from any device in no time. Acrobat complies with PCI and DSS payment card industry standards to secure customer payment data. Customers can pay with credit cards, debit cards, or PayPal for a seamless digital payment experience.
By creating your invoices as PDFs, you enhance customer security with polished, professional, easy-to-share documents. Explore all that you can do with Acrobat for business today to create a simplified experience for you and your customers.
Frequently asked questions.
1. Can I make an invoice in Google Docs?
Yes, you can create an invoice in Google Docs by logging in to your account and choosing an invoice template from the Template Gallery in the home page section. Then, save the template to your Google Drive so you can open it automatically whenever you need it. From there, you can customize the template to fit your business needs. Save the document, export it as a PDF, and email it to your customers.
Google Docs doesn’t currently offer a specific invoice template, but you can alter other templates to look like an invoice.
2. Can I create a receipt in Google Docs?
Yes, you can log in to your Google account, look through the template gallery in the Google Docs home page section, and customize a template to fit your individual document needs. You can save the template to your Google Drive to open it automatically whenever you need to create a receipt. Once you have saved your document, you can export it to a PDF and email it to your customers.
Google Docs doesn’t currently offer a specific invoice template, but you can alter other templates to look like an invoice.
3. What are the disadvantages of using Google Docs for invoices?
When you upload documents from other applications, some fonts and formatting may change in Google Docs. Additionally, Google Docs is a web-based application, so if you’re planning to use Google Docs offline, you’ll have to enable offline editing in your Google Drive Settings ahead of time.
Lastly, unless you want to share a link to the document, you must export it as a Word document, PDF, or other file format.
When you use Acrobat, you can edit, sign, and share your invoices all in one place. Creating PDF invoices ensures that your customer’s information is secure and the invoice information is accessible with or without the internet. Use Acrobat to take care of all your invoices and other document needs.
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