Want to save a screenshot in Google Docs without blowing up your page count?
This simple method shows you how to turn a screenshot into a text link — no need for Imgur or other image hosts, and your document stays neat and easy to navigate.
Why this matters
Many Google Docs users find themselves pasting full-page screenshots into their documents — especially when saving articles, tutorials, or recipes for future use. But this quickly becomes unwieldy. A few images can balloon your doc into dozens of pages, making it hard to browse or share.
Worse, if you rely on third-party image hosts like Imgur, your screenshots might disappear if the link breaks or gets taken down.
This tutorial gives you a better solution:
✅ Screenshots stored safely in your own Google Drive
✅ Shared as clean text links inside your doc
✅ No external tools required
✅ Document stays short and searchable
Step-by-step: Turn a Screenshot into a Link in Google Docs
1. Open Google Drive and click "New" to create a folder for your screenshot files
Give it a clear, descriptive name so you can easily organize multiple screenshots later.
2. After naming the folder, click "Create"
Drive will take you directly into your newly created folder.
3. Right-click inside the folder and choose "Upload files"
Select the screenshot(s) you want to use — for example, a full-page capture of a recipe or article.
4. Once the upload finishes, right-click the screenshot and select "Share"
A sharing window will appear where you can adjust the visibility settings.
5. Set the permissions to "Anyone with the link can view" and click "Copy link"
This ensures your screenshot will be viewable without login issues later.
6. Open your Google Doc and right-click where you want to insert the link
Place your cursor at the correct location for the new reference.
7. Select "Insert link" from the menu
A link editing box will pop up.
8. Edit the text you want to display — for example: "Chocolate Cake Recipe"
This keeps the document tidy and readable.
9. Paste the copied link into the field and click "Apply"
Done! You now have a clickable text link that opens your screenshot in Drive.
That’s it!
You’ve just turned a bulky image into a clean, clickable link — without relying on Imgur or cluttering your document. This method is ideal for saving content long-term while keeping your workspace tidy and efficient.