Google Docs Turns 20 With 20 Useful Features

Google Docs, a widely used word processing application, is celebrating its 20th anniversary by sharing 20 lesser-known features that can enhance user productivity. These tips, originally published by Wonder Tools, aim to help both new and long-time users leverage the full capabilities of the platform. Among the highlighted features is "Voice typing," accessible through the Tools menu, which allows users to dictate text directly into a document. This function is particularly useful for capturing thoughts as they arise or when physical typing is inconvenient, though the transcription accuracy is noted as imperfect but free. Another valuable feature is the "Match doc format" option, found under File > New > Help me create. This tool enables users to base new documents on the design of a prior document, streamlining the creation of consistently styled drafts. This functionality requires Gemini to be enabled. The platform also supports a variety of extensions and add-ons, accessible via Extensions > Add-ons. These third-party applications can extend Google Docs' functionality. Examples include Beep for attaching voice notes, Word Cloud Generator for visual text representation, Docs to Slides for converting documents into presentations, and the Free icons extension from icons8 for easy visual additions. For efficient linking, users can employ the "Quick link" feature by selecting text and pressing Command+K. This shortcut allows users to search for and insert relevant links without leaving the document, saving time and reducing the need to switch browser tabs. A practical shortcut for immediate document creation is typing "doc.new" into any browser's address bar, which instantly opens a new Google Doc. This convenience extends to other Google services with similar shortcuts like "slide.new," "sheet.new," and "form.new," and even to third-party platforms such as Notion, Canva, and Spotify. The article also touches upon organizing longer documents by dividing them into sections using the "Insert > Tab" function, suggesting that a single document can serve as a central hub for various project topics, with each topic potentially having its own distinct section. This approach contrasts with creating numerous separate files for a single project. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the application's evolution and its continued relevance in digital document creation and collaboration.