How to Merge Google Docs with a Drive Add-On

Need to combine multiple Google Docs into one master file? Unfortunately, Docs doesn’t have a built-in merging feature. However, you can install a handy Google Drive add-on to seamlessly merge content from multiple documents.

To merge Google Docs, you must install the “Merge Google Documents, Spreadsheets” add-on in Drive. Then you can use it to pull data from various docs into one unified file.

Whether you’re looking to consolidate notes from different authors or integrate portions of long research papers, the merge add-on makes it easy to assemble materials from multiple sources. Let’s walk through how to set it up and use it for efficient Google Doc merging.

How to Merge Google Docs with a Drive Add-On — Merge Google Docs with a Drive Add-On

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Steps to Merge Google Docs with a Drive Add-On

Although the merge add-on is not yet available for Docs, you can still merge Google Docs with a Drive add-on. Here are the steps to do it:

Step 1: Installing the Merge Add-on

To enable Google Doc merging, follow these steps:

Open Google Drive and click the Settings gear icon.

Select “Manage apps” under the “Manage apps” section.

Click “Connect more apps” at the top.

Search for “Merge Google Documents” and click to connect it.

The add-on will now be available when you open Docs.

Once installed, you can start merging away!

Step 2: Merging Docs with the Add-On

Here is how to use the add-on to combine contents:

Open the target Google Doc.
Place the cursor where you want the inserted content.
Select “Document Merge for Google Docs” > “Merge Google Docs” in the Doc toolbar.

Click Install Spreadsheet and then choose the source document(s) you want to merge.

Select specific pages/sections or entire documents to insert.

Click “Merge” and contents will integrate into current Doc!

Once done, you can directly open the merged Doc from google Drive or download the merged PDF from there.

The add-on retains all original formatting like images, charts, and text styles for seamless merging.

Best Practices for Merged Docs

To ensure your merged document is easy to navigate:

Use consistent heading styles and numbering
Insert page breaks between merged sections
Hyperlink to source files for reference
Enable version history to track changes
Proofread thoroughly for continuity and flow

With the merge add-on, you can painlessly combine multiple files into a single cohesive Google Doc!

Limitations of the Merge Add-On

While handy, the merge tool does have some limitations:

Only inserts static content, not live-linked sections
Limited to Google file types like Docs, Sheets, Slides
Requires manual restructuring for continuity

For more robust version control, consider a workspace tool like Dropbox Paper.

Conclusion

The Google Drive “Merge Documents” add-on provides a simple way to integrate files from multiple collaborators into unified Docs, retaining original formatting. With a few clicks, you can consolidate all your drafts, notes, and materials into seamless combined files. Just be sure to review carefully so the end result flows logically. Happy merging!

FAQs About Merging Google Docs

What’s The Best Way To Combine Multiple Google Docs?

Use the “Merge Documents” Drive add-on to cleanly insert contents from various Docs into a single target file. This retains all formatting.

How Do I Customize Page Layout When Merging?

Set margins, text styles, and page size to match across all documents before merging. Use page breaks between inserted sections to prevent odd formatting.

Can I Pick And Choose What Content To Merge?

Yes, the add-on lets you select specific pages or page ranges to insert, so you can exclude any unnecessary sections.

Will Hyperlinks From The Original Docs Still Work After Merging?

Unfortunately, no. The merge tool just inserts static content without live links. You’ll need to re-add any desired hyperlinks to the merged document.