Google Docs

250 'Google Docs' stories May 2011 - August 2022

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Google Docs originated from web-based word processor Writely. The app would lay the groundwork for such common features as collaborative text editing. Eventually acquired by Google, it was made available to all Google Apps users in February of 2007.

The marquee feature of Docs is the ability to collaborate with a wide number of people online. Controls help determine who can see, comment, and edit documents. In its current form, Docs is an HTML5 app that runs on most modern browsers and even has support for rudimentary viewing on mobile. Its Android and iOS apps are quite powerful and gives users access to the same web functionality.

On Chrome, Docs works offline and allows users to work without an internet connection and have changes synced backed up to the cloud. An Add-ons feature allows third-party developers to add extra functionality like a thesaurus and a bibliography creator.

How to use Google Tasks

Google Docs checklists can now be assigned and appear in Google Tasks

Abner Li Aug 17 2022 - 11:54 am PT

Enterprise Workspace users can now assign checklists in Google Docs and have them appear in their or a coworker’s Google Tasks list.

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Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides now offer individual control over accessibility settings

Ben Schoon Aug 16 2022 - 8:05 am PT

Google products are generally well-equipped when it comes to accessibility tools, but Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are now picking up an enhancement to their existing tools.

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Google Drive, Docs, and other Workspace apps getting optimized for Android tablets

Abner Li Jul 25 2022 - 9:00 am PT

Google Drive Docs tablet

At I/O 2022, Google announced that over 20 first-party apps would be optimized for tablets. We’ve already seen a handful of launches since May, and Google Drive, Docs/Sheets/Slides, and Keep are now set to receive updates that improve multitasking on Android tablets.

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Google Docs getting edit notifications that alert you to additions and removals

Abner Li Jul 19 2022 - 12:32 pm PT

Google Docs Meet present

In addition to comments, Google Docs will soon alert you to content additions and removals with edit notifications.

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Google Docs adding built-in eSignature system to Workspace Individual

Abner Li Jun 30 2022 - 11:43 am PT

Google Workspace Individual was announced a year ago as an upgrade for one-person businesses that have been using @gmail.com accounts to run their companies. Subscribers will soon get access to eSignature support in Google Docs.

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How to use Google Docs new ‘Pageless’ feature

Andrew Romero Jun 29 2022 - 1:54 pm PT

We live in the cloud. That’s just how things are now. Pages are being printed less often and most of our work is done online and shared with others through programs like Google Drive. To embrace that shift, Google Docs has added a feature called “Pageless” editing. Here’s how it works.

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Google Docs and Drive getting a better, simpler sharing UI

Abner Li Jun 10 2022 - 12:05 pm PT

Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc. is rolling out a new share prompt UI on the web that the company touts as being “simpler.”

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

Abner Li May 25 2022 - 9:57 am PT

Google Docs text select

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.

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Google Chat adding AI summaries, Meet getting portrait lighting, and more

Abner Li May 11 2022 - 10:32 am PT

Similar to last year, Google Workspace has a presence at I/O 2022 and used it to announce features across Meet and Chat, as well as Docs.

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Google Docs and Sheets getting native integration with SAP S/4HANA Cloud

Abner Li May 4 2022 - 9:00 am PT

At today’s virtual Workspace Summit, Google announced an expanded partnership with enterprise software giant SAP that sees Docs and Sheets integrate with S/4HANA Cloud.

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Google Docs adds customizable dropdown menus and table templates

Abner Li May 2 2022 - 2:28 pm PT

Smart canvas is Google’s push to boost integrations between its family of Workspace apps. In Google Docs, dropdown chips and table templates are the latest additions meant to boost productivity.

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Google Docs is reorganizing and shrinking toolbar menus on the web

Abner Li Apr 26 2022 - 12:16 pm PT

Google is updating the toolbar menus that appear in the Docs web client with a focus on making it “easier to locate the most commonly used features.”

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Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides rolling out built-in Meet calling with prominent button

Abner Li Apr 12 2022 - 11:11 am PT

As announced at the end of last month, Google Meet is now built into Docs, Sheets, and Slides with a prominent new button that’s rolling out from today.

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Google Docs on the web will let you leave quick emoji reactions

Abner Li Apr 5 2022 - 3:39 pm PT

When editing another person’s document, Google today lets you leave a comment or suggest edits. Google Docs on the web will soon support emoji reactions as a “less formal alternative to comments to express your opinions.”

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Google Docs rolling out new stylistic writing suggestions marked by purple underlines

Abner Li Mar 31 2022 - 5:15 pm PT

In addition to Smart Compose, grammar corrections, and spelling autocorrect, Google Docs is now rolling out writing suggestions that feature a purple underline to help with tone, style, and word choice.

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Google Meet is adding desktop Picture-in-Picture, built into Docs, YouTube livestreaming, & E2EE

Abner Li Mar 31 2022 - 9:00 am PT

When G Suite was rebranded to Google Workspace in 2020, the company teased that Meet was coming to Docs, Sheets, and Slides. That Google Meet integration is now coming along with desktop web Picture-in-Picture (PiP), in-call reactions and more.

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Google Docs getting expanded Markdown support and auto-detection on the web

Abner Li Mar 29 2022 - 11:13 am PT

Markdown is a “lightweight markup language for applying formatting using plain text.” Google Docs already recognizes some Markdown syntax, and is now expanding its support.

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Google Docs adding email template for joint drafting that integrates with Gmail

Abner Li Mar 15 2022 - 2:09 pm PT

As previewed in February, Google Docs on the web is getting a rather nifty template for drafting emails that features Gmail integration. This is part of Google’s @-menu and Smart Canvas push.

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Google Docs getting AI-generated summaries, collaborative email templates, and more

Abner Li Feb 15 2022 - 9:01 am PT

One of the first major announcements at I/O 2021 was Google’s initiative to offer a more integrated and interactive Workspace experience. The latest “Smart canvas” features are now here, including AI summaries in Google Docs.

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Google Docs now lets you create ‘Confidential,’ ‘Draft,’ and other text watermarks

Abner Li Jan 24 2022 - 3:49 pm PT

Back in September, Google added support for uploading image watermarks in Docs and is now making it easy to create your own background text identifiers.

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Google Docs now autocorrects for em dash, but it’s using the wrong shortcut

Abner Li Dec 17 2021 - 11:39 am PT

Google Docs Meet present

According to Merriam-Webster — yes, I’m purposefully being cliche, the em dash can be used to separate extra information in place of a comma, colon, or parenthesis. Google Docs will now autocorrect for the em dash (—), but it’s using the wrong default shortcut.

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[Update: Shutting down] Area 120’s ‘Museletter’ turns your Google Docs into paid newsletters

Abner Li Dec 14 2021 - 3:24 pm PT

Google Area 120 Museletter

In the media landscape, newsletters are currently very popular among journalists and other writers that want a direct audience, as well as business. Most are using Substack, with Google’s Area 120 experimenting on a very interesting tool called Museletter that leverages Docs/Drive for distribution.

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Google Docs Meet present

Google Docs making it easier to customize and edit tables

Abner Li Dec 7 2021 - 1:40 pm PT

While Google Workspace offers Sheets, people still use Docs to create inline tables. Google is now letting you better create and customize tables in the Docs web app with a handful of upgrades.

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Google Docs rolling out file review & approval system to Workspace tiers

Abner Li Nov 8 2021 - 1:56 pm PT

In 2019, Google started testing a review and approval system for Docs, Sheets, and Slides. After the two-year beta period, “formal document approvals” are now rolling out to Workspace users.

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