Chromebook User Manual
Chromebook User Manual
2-
Note
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Important
This manual contains proprietary information that is protected by
copyright laws. The information contained in this manual is subject to
change without notice. Images provided herein are for reference only
and may contain information or features that do not apply to your
computer. Acer Group shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors
or omissions contained in this manual.
Model number: _________________________________
Serial number: _________________________________
Date of purchase: ______________________________
Place of purchase: ______________________________
Table of contents - 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Register your Acer product ......................... 2 YouTube ............................................... 19
Manage your registered products ............... 2 Playing video or audio files .................... 19
Getting started 4 Other Supported File Types................... 19
Turn on your Chromebook....................... 4
Chrome OS tips and tricks 20
Select your language settings ................. 4 Documents............................................. 20
Connect to a network............................... 4 How to create documents ......................... 20
Accept the Terms of Service....................... 4 Finding your documents............................ 21
First-time sign-in ...................................... 4 How to share documents with other users 21
Create a new Google Account .................... 4 How to start a video chat ....................... 22
Browse as a guest ...................................... 5 How to listen to music............................ 22
Sign in to your Google Account .................. 5
How to watch videos, TV, or movies...... 23
Your Acer Chromebook tour 6 Working with Microsoft Office (Word,
Front view ................................................ 6 Excel, and Powepoint) documents ........ 23
Keyboard view ......................................... 7 Open and edit Microsoft Office files using
Function keys.............................................. 8 Google’s office compatibility mode ........... 23
Touchpad .................................................... 8 Convert Microsoft Office files to Google
Left side view........................................... 9 Drive formats............................................. 24
Right side view ...................................... 10 Export Google Drive documents as
Microsoft Office files.................................. 24
Bottom view .......................................... 11 Opening Microsoft Office files using
The Chrome OS Desktop 12 Microsoft’s Office Online apps from the
Chrome Web Store ................................... 24
Window controls ................................... 12 How to use your Chromebook when
Shelf ...................................................... 13
there’s no internet .................................. 25
Launcher ................................................... 13
Gmail Offline ............................................. 25
Pinned apps .............................................. 13
Google Drive ............................................. 26
Status area................................................ 14
Settings 27
Apps & extensions 15
Changing the language settings ............ 27
Managing apps ...................................... 15
Installing new apps from the Chrome Web Changing the clock settings................... 28
Store ........................................................ 15 Customizing appearance ....................... 28
Removing apps from Chrome OS............. 15 Customizing the wallpaper........................ 28
Pin an app to the shelf .............................. 16 Customizing the theme ............................. 28
Unpin an app from the shelf...................... 16 Setting up a printer ................................ 29
Google Drive ......................................... 16 Updating Chrome OS ............................ 29
Difference between Drive and Files apps . 16 Automatic update ...................................... 29
Creating a new document ......................... 17 Manual update .......................................... 30
Sync files from Downloads to Google Reseting your Chromebook ................... 30
Drive.......................................................... 17
Enable offline access to Google Drive files 18 Help 31
Gmail .................................................... 19 Online and offline help ........................... 31
Composing an email ................................. 19
4 - Getting started
GETTING STARTED
Connect to a network
Select a wireless network from the "Select a network" list to connect to
the Internet. If network access is protected, you will need an access
password to connect to it.
First-time sign-in
Create a new Google Account
You can create a new Google Account if you don’t already have one.
Select Create a Google Account to set up a new account. A Google
Account gives you access to useful web services developed by
Google, such as Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar.
Getting started - 5
Browse as a guest
You can also use the Chromebook without a Google Account by
selecting Browse as a Guest.
Important
Sign in with your primary Google Account. This account will be set as
the owner and is the only account that will be able to change certain
Chrome settings.
6 - Your Acer Chromebook tour
Now that you are done setting it up, let us show you around your new
Acer Chromebook.
Front view
1 3
Keyboard view
Function keys
The computer uses function keys or key combinations to access some
hardware and software controls, such as screen brightness and
volume. The dedicated function keys each have a specific function.
Icon Function Description
Previous Go to the previous page.
Next Go to the next page.
Reload Reload the current page.
Full-screen Open the page in full-screen mode.
Next window Switch to the next window.
Brightness down Decreases the screen brightness.
Brightness up Increases the screen brightness.
Mute Turns off audio output.
Volume down Decreases the volume.
Volume up Increases the volume.
Touchpad
The built-in touchpad is a pointing device that senses movement on
its surface. This means the cursor responds as you move your fingers
across the surface of the touchpad.
Action Gesture
Click Press down on any part of the touchpad.
Tapping the touchpad with two fingers or pressing
Two-finger tap (or (and holding) Alt on the keyboard and tapping the
alt-click) touchpad with one finger both equal a "right-click"
on a computer mouse.
Place two fingers on the touchpad and move
Two-finger swipe them up and down to scroll vertically, left and right
to scroll horizontally.
Your Acer Chromebook tour - 9
Action Gesture
Select the item you want to move with one finger.
With a second finger, move the item. Release
Drag and drop
both fingers to drop the item. (This gesture works
for files, not windows or icons.)
1 2 3
12 3
Bottom view
Shelf
Window controls
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11
Number Description
Goes Backward and Forward in the current web
browsing sessions’s history (closing and reopening the
1
Chrome browser begins a new session). Select to Reload
the current webpage.
2 Closes a tab.
3 Opens a new tab.
Type a web address or perform an internet search in this
4
search box (also known as the "omnibox").
5 Minimizes the window into the desktop shelf.
The Chrome OS Desktop - 13
Number Description
Maximizes the window to take up the entire screen. Click
again to return window to previous position. Also, select
6 and hold to display a left and right arrow next to the
icon. These neatly align the window to take up half the left
side of the screen or the right side, respectively.
7 Closes the entire window (tabs and all).
Bookmark (save) webpage links to this quick-access area
8
called the "bookmarks bar".
9 Select to bookmark (save) a link to the currrent webpage.
Select to use any enabled extensions you have installed in
10
Chrome from this extension list.
11 Select to customize and control Google Chrome.
Shelf
Launcher Status area
Note
Specifications vary. Some icons may not be applicable to your Chromebook.
Launcher
Select the Launcher icon to display the launcher page. This is the
fastest way to search for something. Simply start typing to search the
internet, your bookmarks, any files you have stored in your Google
Drive, and items in the Chrome Web Store.
The Launcher page is also the place to access all your apps. Below
the search box are your frequently-used apps. Simply select one to
open it. To see all apps you have installed, tap All Apps.
Pinned apps
See Pin an app to the shelf on page 16 and Unpin an app from the
shelf on page 16 for more information.
14 - The Chrome OS Desktop
Status area
The Status area enables you to see vital computer information at a
glance, such as the time, Wi-Fi signal strength, and battery life. Tap
the Status area to display a box with more options.
Icon Description Icon Description
Wireless network
Bluetooth status
connection
Apps & extensions - 15
Managing apps
Note
Certain apps and browser extensions may not be available in all countries
and regions. The contents and design of the Chrome Web Store may vary by
region. Updates may add new categories or change how to navigate the
Chrome Web Store at any time.
Note
Some apps such as the Chrome web browser cannot be uninstalled.
Google Drive
All files saved to your Google Drive are saved online and are
accessible to other devices, such as your smartphone or tablet. Files
saved to the Downloads folder are saved to your local drive and are
only accessible to your Chromebook.
Note
You must be connected to the Internet to do the following Google Drive
operations.
locally by using the Files app on your Chromebook. To use the Files
app, select the Files icon in the apps list, or use the keyboard shortcut
<Alt> + <Shift> + <M>.
This user manual uses Google Drive and Files interchangeably when
giving instructions regarding accessing files.
Note
For an alternative method of creating documents, see How to create
documents on page 20.
Gmail
Composing an email
1. Select the Launcher icon.
2. Select All Apps (or type "Gmail").
3. Select the Gmail icon and then COMPOSE.
4. Enter the recipient’s email address, the subject, and the message.
5. When you are finished composing your message, select Send.
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share
and view videos. You can access it by doing the following:
1. Select the Launcher icon.
2. Select All Apps (or type "YouTube").
3. Select the YouTube icon.
CHROME OS T IP S A N D T R I C K S
Documents
How to create documents
1. Press the Search key on your keyboard.
Slides .
Note
For an alternative method of creating documents, see Creating a new
document on page 17.
Chrome OS tips and tricks - 21
Note
Play Music may not be available in all countries and regions. Google Play’s
current list of country availability for apps and digital content, visit https://
support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2843119?hl=en
For other streaming apps like Pandora, Spotify, Rdio, Deezer and
more (availability varies by country):
1. Press the Search key on your keyboard.
Note
Play Movies may not be available in all countries and regions. Google Play’s
current list of country availability for apps and digital content, visit https://
support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2843119?hl=en
apps from the Chrome Web Store (you’ll need to create a Microsoft
account if you don’t already have one). Then, you can login and
create files or upload files you have already created and edit them.
Note
Office Online programs save files you create exclusively to Micrsoft’s own
OneDrive cloud storage. Though you can download a file you create and then
move it to Google Drive or a removable storage device, you cannot save it
directly to those locations. Also, to work on a file you’ve already created, you
must first upload it to OneDrive by selecting Open from OneDrive from
within whichever Office Online product you are using (you can install the
OneDrive app from the Chrome Web Store as well).
Gmail Offline
Note
The first time you use Gmail Offline you MUST be connected to the internet
to enable offline viewing.
Google Drive
Important
Any changes you make to a current document or any document you
create while offline are saved locally on your computer and will not be
seen if you open the document from Google Drive on another computer
or device. The changes will only be reflected in the Google Drive online
version of the document the next time you connect to the internet and
access Google Drive.
Note
If you make changes to a Google document while offline and someone else
makes changes to the document as well (for example, if the document is
shared with someone else), the next time you are online and have Google
Drive open, your changes will merge with the other person’s changes.
You can’t open and access every type of file you have saved in
Google Drive when there is no internet connection. To enable offline
access to file types other than Google documents when offline, see
Enable offline access to Google Drive files on page 18.
Settings - 27
SETTINGS
Use the settings menu to adjust the various options for your
Chromebook. To access the settings menu do the following:
1. Select the Status area of the shelf in the lower-right corner of the
screen (where your account picture appears).
2. Select Settings.
Customizing appearance
Customizing the wallpaper
1. Select the Status area of the shelf in the lower-right corner of the
screen (where your account picture appears).
2. Select Settings.
3. Select Set wallpaper.
4. Select a preloaded wallpaper or select Custom, plus sign, and then
Choose File to select your own image.
5. Once selected, select OPEN.
You can also choose Surprise Me to have the wallpaper change
randomly.
4. You’ll be taken to the Chrome Web Store, where you can find extra
resources for the Chrome browser.
5. Once you find a theme that you’d like to try out, select it and then
select ADD TO CHROME.
Setting up a printer
You can use the Google Cloud Print service to send print requests to
many types of traditional cabled printer and wireless "cloud ready"
printers; however, not all printers are supported.
To learn more about Google Cloud Print and how to set up your
printer, reference Google’s own Chromebook Help to find
comprehensive information on this topic. To access Chromebook
Help, do the following:
1. Press the Search key on your keyboard.
Updating Chrome OS
Automatic update
Each time you turn on your Chromebook, it automatically checks for
updates. When an update is available, this update icon will appear
in the status area. To apply the update:
1. Select the Status area of the shelf in the lower-right corner of the
screen (where your account picture appears).
2. Select Restart to update.
3. Your Chromebook will shutdown and automatically restart, with the
update applied.
30 - Settings
Manual update
To manually check for an update or check what version of Chrome OS
you are using:
1. Select the Status area of the shelf in the lower-right corner of the
screen (where your account picture appears).
2. Select Settings.
3. At the top select About Chrome OS.
4. In the dialog that opens, select Check for and apply updates. If
any updates are available, they will be displayed on the page.
Important
Do not modify your Chromebook’s hardware yourself. Doing so will
cause the update function to no longer work. Please get in touch with
your dealer or an authorized service center. Visit www.acer.com to find
an authorized service site.
Important
Powerwashing your Chromebook will remove all local settings, data,
and programs from your hard drive. Backup any data on your hard drive
that is not saved online by moving it to Google Drive and waiting for it
to sync.
1. Select the Status area of the shelf in the lower-right corner of the
screen (where your account picture appears).
2. Select Settings.
3. In the Powerwash section, select Powerwash.
4. Select Restart.
Help - 31
HELP
Online and offline help
Additional help is available both online and offline. Chromebook Help
is installed on your Chromebook and doesn’t require internet access.
It covers basic troubleshooting as well as more detailed information
about Chrome OS and using your Chomebook.
Note
Some sections in Chromebook Help have web links, which require you have
internet access to view the additional information.