Basic Editing of a Classic Google Site

This article provides a simple overview of how to make basic edits to a classic Google Site. Whether you're updating text, adding images, or organizing pages, you'll learn the essential tools and steps needed to keep your site up to date and easy to navigate.

This KB Article References:

Google Sites

This Information is Intended for:

Instructors, Staff, Students

Classic Google Sites are being transitioned to New Google Sites. In October 2021, Classic Sites will not be editable anymore and need to be migrated to New Google Sites. Learn more.

There are two types of editing in Google Sites: page specific and overall edits. That is, page-specific changes (adding text or an in-text image, inserting a Google Doc, etc.) and overall changes (modifying the header, footer, navigation, fonts, and other elements that appear on all pages) are done using different tools in Google Sites.

Edit a page or edit your entire site.

Edit a page of a Google Site

adding an in-text image or text, inserting a Google Doc, etc.

STEP 1

Access your Google Site by signing in to sites.google.com and clicking on the site you wish to edit.

STEP 2

Click on the edit page pencil icon in the top right corner to access the page-edit options:

The menus (Insert, Format, Table, Layout) will allow you to

Insert: add images, links, lines, calendars, Google Docs, maps, gadgets, and more
Format: format text as headings, strikethrough, super- or subscript, or code and change alignment
Table: insert a table, add and remove columns and rows
Layout: change page layout to one of several options

Use the WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor to

change font type, size, bold/italics/underline, color, and text background color
add links
make numbered or bulleted points
indent/unindent items
remove formatting (T_x)
modify <HTML>

STEP 3

Click Save to save and view changes.

STEP 4

Access more page options by clicking on the settings gear (top right); options include:

Revision history: allows you to revert to a previous version of the page
Page settings: show/hide page title and links to sub-pages, allow attachments and comments, add page description
Print page
Page template options: allow you to create, use, change templates for a page, which can help your website’s pages have a more consistent look

STEP 5

Add more pages by clicking on ; then name the page and, optionally, select a template and change the location of the page

Edit Overall Site Settings

header, header logo, footer, navigation, sidebar, overall colors/fonts, background image, etc.

STEP 1

Access your Google Site by signing in to sites.google.com and clicking on the site you wish to edit.

STEP 2

In the top-right corner, click on the settings gear and then Manage Site.

Manage Site is divided into topics on the left side of the screen, including

Recent site activity: view recent site changes (especially helpful for sites with 2+ owners/editors)
Pages: view existing pages and move pages
Attachments: view, upload, rename, replace attachments
Page templates: create and manage page templates
Apps Script: Apps scripts used on site
Delete items: Deleted content

Only site owners and editors have access to the following:

General: to modify the Site name or description
Sharing and Permissions: share your site and/or set who can edit, view, and comment on site/pages

Only site owners have access to the following:

Themes, Colors, and Fonts: change colors, fonts, background color/images, for header, sidebar, navigation, content area, gadgets, and background and change site theme (e.g., color palette)