Google Cloud Print might be dead, but you can still print from Google Docs, Sheets, Chrome, and Chromebooks. For users, the simplest approach is to use Google’s built-in printer setup. But for organizations managing multiple users and printers and remote workers, a print management tool (like PaperCut Mobility Print) makes printing from Google software much easier.
What happened to Google Cloud Print?
Google Cloud Print allowed users to send documents to printers over the internet, without installing traditional printer drivers on every device. It was officially discontinued on December 31, 2020. RIP.
Since Cloud Print was switched off, users have needed another method for connecting their computers, Chromebooks, and printers.
The good news is that you don’t need Google Cloud Print to print from Google software. Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Chrome all have built-in printing options, while Chromebooks can print using printers configured through ChromeOS.
However, for businesses, just being able to print from a Chromebook isn’t the challenge. The challenge is making printing simple, and reliable for lots of users, devices and printers.
How do you print from Google Docs and Sheets?
Printing from Google Docs and Google Sheets is pretty straightforward.
Print from Google Docs
- Open the document you want to print.
- Select File > Print (or press Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on Mac).
- Select your printer.
- Play with your print settings.
- Hit Print.
Google Docs might open a system print dialog, or generate a PDF, depending on your browser and operating system. If so, that’s no problem; just select your printer from the available options.
Print from Google Sheets
The process is basically the same, but Sheets gives you extra options for spreadsheets.
- Open the spreadsheet.
- Select File > Print.
- Choose whether to print the current sheet, selected cells or the entire workbook.
- Adjust your print options, as usual.
- Find your printer and print.
If the printer you need isn’t showing, you’ll need to add or configure it through your operating system or network.
How do you print from Google Chrome?
Chrome can print web pages and other content straight from the browser. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the page you want to print.
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
- Select Print.
- Choose the printer you want to use.
- Adjust your settings.
- Hit Print.
You can also use Ctrl+P on Windows, or Command+P on a Mac.
If your printer isn’t showing on the list, check that it’s been installed and is actually available to your computer. Network printers will probably need to be configured by your IT admin.
How do you print from a Chromebook?
Chromebooks don’t use traditional Windows printer drivers, which takes some getting used to. Instead, ChromeOS supports compatible network and USB printers through its printer settings.
To add a printer:
- Open your Chromebook’s Settings.
- Select Device and then Printers and scanners.
- Select Printers.
- Choose Add printer.
- Select your printer (or enter its details manually, if required).
- Save the printer.
Once everything’s configured, the printer should appear when you choose File > Print in Google Docs, Sheets, Chrome and other apps.
Obviously, for organizations managing large numbers of Chromebooks manually configuring printers like this on every device isn’t really feasible. In those cases, a print management solution can provide a more centralized way to deploy and manage printing.
Can you still print remotely from Google software?
Technically yes, but obviously Google Cloud Print is no longer the way to do it.
If you only need occasional access, one workaround is Chrome Remote Desktop. This lets you remotely access a computer that has its printers configured. You can then use the remote computer as if you were sitting in front of it. Pretty neat.
A basic approach is:
- Install and configure Chrome Remote Desktop on the computer you want to access.
- Connect to that computer remotely.
- Open Chrome or the relevant Google app.
- Open the document and select Print.
- Select a printer available to the remote computer.
- Send your print job.
This can be useful for occasional remote access, but iChrome Remote Desktop printing isn’t really a replacement for Google Cloud Print in every situation. The computer you’re connecting to needs to be available, and the printer needs to be configured on that computer.
For business printing though, it’s generally better to give users a direct and managed way to access the printers they need. Enter PaperCut Mobility Print…
Need an easier way to print from Chromebooks and Google software? Try PaperCut Mobility Print for free.
What’s the best alternative to Google Cloud Print?
As it happens there isn’t really one, all-conquering, universalreplacement for Google Cloud Print, because the right option depends on how you print.
For occasional home printing, configuring a printer directly in your operating system or Chromebook is probably all you need.
For a business, you need to consider:
Printing requirement | Possible approach |
Occasional home printing | Configure the printer directly |
Printing from Chrome | Use Chrome's built-in print function |
Google Docs and Sheets | Use the operating system's configured printers |
Chromebook printing | Configure compatible network printers |
Remote access to an existing PC | Chrome Remote Desktop has your back. |
Multiple users and printers | Print management software (like us) |
Mixed Windows, Mac and Chromebook environment | Mobility Print or another cross-platform solution |
How does Mobility Print work with Google software?
PaperCut Mobility Print allows users to print from supported devices to printers made available by an organization. So rather than relying on Google Cloud Print, the organization’s printers are managed through Mobility Print and presented to users on their devices.
This is especially handy for schools and other organizations with Chromebooks or mixed device fleets, since it gives users a more consistent printing experience.
Mobility Print supports printing from Chromebooks as well as Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices. Here’s how to set it up.
What should you do if Google printing isn’t working?
If your printer isn’t appearing in Google Docs, Sheets or Chrome, work through these checks:
- Check your printer is online**.**
- Confirm your computer or Chromebook is connected to the correct network**.**
- Check that the printer has been configured on your device**.**
- Try printing from another application (to see if it’s a Google software issue)
- Check with your IT administrator.
- For Chromebooks, check the printer’s compatibility with ChromeOS**.**
FAQs about printing from Google software
Q Can I still use Google Cloud Print?
Sorry, no dice. Google Cloud Print was discontinued on December 31, 2020.
Q Can I print directly from Google Docs?
You sure can. Open the document and select File > Print, then choose an available printer and configure your print settings.
Q Can I print Google Sheets?
Yes! Google Sheets has a built-in printing function that lets you choose which sheets (or even cells) to print.
Q Can Chromebooks print to regular printers?
You bet. Chromebooks support compatible network and USB printers, although the setup differs from traditional Windows printer-driver installation.
Q What is the easiest way to print from a Chromebook?
For a single user, adding a compatible printer directly through ChromeOS settings is usually the way to go. For organizations managing tons of users and printers, look for a print management solution, like Mobility Print.
Want to make printing from Google software easier for users? Get PaperCut Mobility Print for free.
