Beneath their surfaces, phrase processors like Google Docs have a treasure trove of hidden options that make it simpler to draft giant paperwork and collaborate on them with coworkers. I’ve coated just a few Google Docs suggestions earlier than, however now I’ve just a few extra to share.
1. Write in Markdown in Google Docs
Credit score: Saikat Basu
Google Docs helps among the Markdown syntax. This provides a easy option to format paperwork utilizing plain textual content symbols, making them straightforward to learn and write whereas permitting for conversion into richer codecs. In case you are proficient with Markdown, it may well allow you to draft paperwork quicker, rapidly formatting your textual content with italics, daring, strikethrough, and hyperlinks. To allow it, go to Instruments > Preferences > Routinely detect Markdown.
However do bear in mind: Google Docs helps a restricted subset of Markdown syntax, not all of it.
2. Enhance navigation with line numbers
Credit score: Saikat Basu
With the assistance of the common-or-garden line quantity, you and your collaborators can simply reference and pinpoint actual places in complicated and lengthy paperwork. They will additionally allow you to take exact notes as you possibly can join them to the road numbers. However notice that line numbers work solely within the Pages format and never within the Pageless view.
Allow them by going to Instruments > Line numbers. Within the line numbers sidebar, choose Present line numbers.
3. Use alt textual content to make docs extra accessible
Credit score: Saikat Basu
Photographs assist your doc, however they cannot be “seen” by display readers. Including alt textual content to your photographs helps folks utilizing display readers perceive what the picture depicts.
So as to add alt textual content, right-click on a picture and choose Alt Textual content. Within the Picture choices sidebar, describe the picture briefly. Do not embrace “picture of” or “image of,” simply deal with the knowledge the picture reveals.
4. Use the Translate Doc characteristic to apply studying and writing in one other language
Credit score: Saikat Basu
Google Docs will not change a language studying course anytime quickly, but it surely makes use of the identical Google Translate wizardry to translate a doc into any language. You may share translated paperwork with collaborators and use them to apply writing in a international language.
Open your doc. Go to Instruments > Translate doc. Within the overlay window, select your language, and Google Docs will create a duplicate within the international language.
Keep in mind, you may as well use Google Sheets to translate languages.
5. Power the receiver to make a duplicate of the Google Doc
Credit score: Saikat Basu
Chances are you’ll come throughout cases if you need to share a doc however need the collaborator to make edits in their very own copy of the unique. Docs does not have an official technique to drive a duplicate, however there is a neat little unofficial hack that works.
Click on on Share on the highest proper of the doc. Change the hyperlink settings to Anybody with the hyperlink and select Editor from the dropdown subsequent to it. Now, copy the hyperlink and paste it into the e-mail or messenger you’re utilizing to share the doc. Earlier than hitting ship, edit the tip of the hyperlink by changing the phrase “edit” and every part after it with template/preview.
When the receiver opens the doc to edit it, it will likely be their very own copy. The “template/preview” URL suffix permits them to view the doc contents earlier than they begin enhancing them (choose the Use Template button within the preview).
6. Embed a doc in an e-mail
Credit score: Saikat Basu
You need not ship a protracted doc to a collaborator as an attachment. E mail it instantly from Google Docs to the receiver’s inbox as an embedded doc. This makes sharing paperwork simpler and cuts down the variety of attachments everybody has to trawl by.
Go to File > E mail > E mail this file. Write a message within the subject offered. Then, choose the checkbox for Do not connect. Embrace content material within the e-mail.
7. Brainstorm with Google Preserve
Credit score: Saikat Basu
When mixed with the long-form writing in Google Docs, the minimal Google Preserve (Google’s free, digital notepad app for capturing ideas, lists, and reminders) is usually a helpful brainstorming assist.
Seize fleeting concepts as notes or lists. While you want these concepts in your Doc, open the Preserve facet panel (the yellow gentle bulb icon on the precise) and drag and drop your notes instantly into your doc. It’s also possible to copy textual content out of your Doc and put it aside as a Preserve notice for straightforward entry later.
8. Collaborate on an e-mail
Credit score: Saikat Basu
Gmail provides collaborative inboxes to Google Workspace accounts, however there’s one other option to collaborate on an e-mail free of charge that makes use of Google Docs. In a Google Doc, insert an e-mail constructing block from Insert > Constructing blocks > E mail draft. Alternatively, sort “@e-mail” within the doc and press Enter. It’s also possible to go to File > E mail draft.
Write the e-mail and fill out the fields. Then, click on Preview in Gmail on the high left of the draft. While you’re executed, hit Ship.
The trove of options and suggestions does not finish right here. The Google Drive suite is extra versatile than ever earlier than, and you may at all times discover alternative ways of working with Google Docs that suit your particular wants.
