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Google Docs will let you select multiple pieces of text for faster formatting

The latest change to Google Docs lets you select multiple passages of text and take bulk actions (delete, copy, paste, etc.) simultaneously to greatly speed up formatting.

This will make formatting and editing documents faster by eliminating the need to make repetitive changes, increasing your overall productivity. 

The keyboard shortcuts to “select multiple sections of text” in Google Docs on the web vary by desktop operating system:

  • Mac: After selecting one section of text, Ctrl + ⌘ + Shift + Left/right arrow. Use left/right arrow to move to a separate section of text you also want to select.
  • Windows: After selecting one section of text, Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Left/right arrow.
  • Chrome OS: After selecting one section of text, Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Left/right arrow.

This is useful for selecting headers and bolding them in one go versus one at a time today. Google says this feature is rolling out starting today and will be widely launched in the coming weeks. With the above commands, we’re not seeing this live just yet.

Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 

More on Google Docs:

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Avatar for Abner Li Abner Li

Editor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com