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The first pages of the Quick Reference Guide template

Quick Reference Guide

Document template for Google Docs and Word

Make a copy in Google Docs
Price
Free
Difficulty
Beginner
Updated
October 30, 2026

Every page (8)

Overview

New agents ask the same how-to questions, and support teams answer them again and again. This quick reference guide puts the first-week tasks, shortcuts, status rules, top fixes and escalation path in eight pages, in the order a new user meets them, so a task takes minutes and tickets stay with real problems.

The sample covers Tallow Desk version 4.2 for Tallowfield Labs: a six-task first week, four shortcuts, a status table with service targets, four troubleshooting fixes and a four-step escalation path with contacts. Replace the product, version, tasks, fixes and contacts with yours, and retake the screenshots.

Useful for

  • A support lead onboarding new agents with a first-week checklist and a one-page shortcut list
  • A product team giving customers a printable cheat sheet to reduce how-to tickets
  • A customer success manager running a training session on tasks, statuses and escalation

What's included

  • Cover with the product, audience and version
  • A six-task checklist with owners and a day-by-day plan for the first week
  • Shortcuts page with a command example and a table of keys for Windows and Mac
  • Tips page with a status table, service targets, a callout and a short glossary
  • Help pages with six contacts, response times, a four-step escalation path and top fixes
  • A Make it yours guide with five steps for replacing the sample

How to use it

  1. 1

    Click Make a copy in Google Docs, then confirm on the Google page. The copy is saved to your own Google Drive.

  2. 2

    State your product version and the reader on the cover, such as admin or end user.

  3. 3

    Replace the common tasks with your top five support tickets, each as short numbered steps, and retake the screenshots from your current release.

  4. 4

    Replace the troubleshooting fixes with real errors and the exact fix, then update the contacts, roles and support link.

  5. 5

    Delete the Make it yours page, then print the guide or share it with your team.

What you need

Requirements

  • A Google account with access to Google Drive

Works with

  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Word (download the .docx)

Questions

Is this quick reference guide template free?

Yes. Make a copy in Google Docs and edit it in your own Drive. There is nothing to install and no account to create beyond your Google account.

Are Tallowfield Labs and Tallow Desk real?

No. Tallowfield Labs, Tallow Desk, the people named, the contacts and every figure are fictional sample data. Replace them with your own product and team.

How long should a quick reference guide be?

Keep the core to two pages: five to eight tasks, a few shortcuts and the top fixes. The extra pages here hold status rules, contacts and escalation so the cheat sheet stays short.

  • #quick-reference-guide
  • #cheat-sheet
  • #user-guide
  • #support-team
  • #help-documentation
  • #onboarding
  • #troubleshooting
  • #google-docs

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