By changing one small part of the file’s URL, you can force students or anyone you share Google resources with to make a copy of the file or view a template to decide if they want to make a copy by using the template. This saves me so much time in the long run. Let me show you.
Force a Copy
Step One: Create your Google doc, slides, drawing, sheet, etc. Make sure to set your sharing permissions so anyone with the link or those in your district can view them.
Step Two: Change the word “edit” at the end of the file’s URL to “copy”. It is as simple as that.
Ex. – https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QVKZRiKZ_AAyaz7tzDENJYZZlIOZWMxu6dorda1Ez04/edit changed to https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QVKZRiKZ_AAyaz7tzDENJYZZlIOZWMxu6dorda1Ez04/copy
Give it a try with one of your Google files. Go ahead. I’ll wait.
See, that was easy. Right?
To View as a Template
Just like before, create your file. Now change the word “edit” at the end of the file’s URL to “template/preview”. Students will see the document and then can choose to make a copy by selecting the Use Template blue button in the upper right hand corner.
Ex. – https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QVKZRiKZ_AAyaz7tzDENJYZZlIOZWMxu6dorda1Ez04/edit changed to https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QVKZRiKZ_AAyaz7tzDENJYZZlIOZWMxu6dorda1Ez04/template/preview
When might you choose to create a View as a Template link instead of a Force a Copy link?
There is a Chrome Extension for That
Want a quicker way to force a copy or make a template? Try out the Sir Links-a-lot chrome extension by GeekyEdTech where with a click of the button you choose what you want to do and then copy the link.
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