Best Google Doc Features You Didn't Know Existed

Even if you've been using Google Docs for a while, there are still some handy features you might not know about. For Example, did you realize you can check the entire history of changes made to a document?

This blog will help you to Go through all the useful Google Docs features.

Google Docs Features

Top 20 Google Doc Features You Didn't Know Existed

Below are some of the Google Docs features that can boost your Writing:

Add Fonts

You've most likely seen Google Docs standard fonts list before. To start, Google has many fonts to pick from. However, the default font type that most of its users experience is "Arial" font. Therefore, to change the font, click the "Font" tab and explore other options. In the "Font" dropdown list, select the "More fonts" option and choose from the choices available by Google.

Templates

You can find various resumes, project proposals, and other document-type templates in Google Docs' vast collection. Switch to intelligent work and save time with the pre-made templates by Google Docs. These templates will help you focus more on the content side rather than formatting. The plus point is that all the templates can be easily edited per the user's wish.

Explore the gallery of Templates on the Google Docs start page. Browse through the template gallery and pick what suits your needs best.

Table of Contents

The constant scrolling down can get exhausting when working with lengthy, comprehensive documents with numerous sections. A table of contents will help you to organize your content. Once you start working on your document, the table of contents will appear on the right side of the doc. The headings displayed in the content make it easy for the users to open that particular section by clicking on it.

Voice Typing

One of Google Docs's best features is the Voice Typing interface. For people who are more at ease speaking than typing or have physical limitations that make typing difficult, this feature—found under the Tools menu—translates spoken words into written text.

In the "Tools" tab, click "Voice Typing" to start with this feature.

One of the most impressive things about voice typing is how accurately it understands various spoken commands for punctuation and formatting. This way, you won't need to touch the keyboard once while dictating your entire work.

Version History

Suppose you have made several changes in a document, or your other teammates have worked on it. Google allows you to view each edited document version and restore previous versions. Click on the "File" tab on the menu bar above. Select "Version history" from the dropdown menu. It will give you access to the version history of your doc. You will also see the names and time stamps of the users who worked on the doc. Restore the previous version by tapping on any of the earlier versions.

Preview Result

Comments

While working on a Google Doc, you can post comments inside the document to ask questions, make notes, or highlight changes. People can respond to the comments and continue the discourse in that way. The comment thread can be closed once you're done. As the document's owner, you can edit or delete the comments. If you want to comment on a particular piece of content, then highlight it. From the "Insert" option, click on "Comment" to mark the remarks on the highlighted text.

Post the Comment

Set Expiration Dates

When you set a deadline for reviewers to submit their remarks, do you ever receive notices for fresh comments far after the due date? An expiration date for file access is a simple way to avoid this with a Google Workspace account.

In the "Share" tab, click on the reviewer's role next to the reviewer's email address. Now select add an expiry date option. Remember, the default expiration for any Google Doc is 30 days. Click the pencil-shaped Edit expiration icon next to the file access expiration date to make the necessary changes.

Remember:

It is not possible to set due dates for several reviewers simultaneously.

Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts

One of the most effective Google Docs tools is the keyboard shortcuts that make your work easier and more efficient. And the same Google Docs has some amazing shortcuts that make your work convenient. You can use the usual shortcuts to copy and paste. However, some additional Docs shortcuts are exclusive to it.

Here are some examples of handy shortcuts:

Shift + t: Create a new document

Ctrl + alt + m: Insert comment

Ctrl + shift + y: Open Dictionary

Ctrl + shift + >: Increase font size

Find and Replace

Utilizing Google Docs's Find and Replace feature, you can quickly and easily locate all occurrences of that mistake and make the necessary changes with just one click. To use this, Click "Edit" in the main menu after highlighting the error you wish to edit. Choose "Find and replace" from the submenu.

In the pop-up window, enter the correct term to make the changes. Next, pick "Replace all" to fix the term across the page or "Replace only" to fix only that one instance.

Draft Email

The new Google Docs feature allows you to compose an email. In the email draft body, you can utilize any element from Google Docs, and they will be exported with the message. It does allow you to insert features such as tables, dropdown menus, and connections to files, among others.

Locate "Building blocks" in the Insert menu and click on it. Press on the Email draft. Complete the email form with your content. Press the Gmail icon to export it when you're ready to send it. Before sending, you will have the option to view a preview.

Add Bookmarks

As you work on a lengthy document or article with several sections, you may realize that scrolling down the page is becoming more irritating. The Bookmark tool helps you browse the important parts of your doc. The Bookmark feature can be accessed from the "Insert" tab in the top menu bar. Click the "Bookmark" option from the "Insert" dropdown menu.

You can now insert a link to your bookmark in any part of your article. You can also link the text by highlighting it and right-clicking it. Select the "Link" option. Now, choose your bookmark from the list that appears.

Clear Formatting

The formatting can be quite a pain to try to correct. You can even erase all of the formatting from your page if you see minor font changes or can't seem to get it perfect. However, there is a little-known workaround for these typical problems. To fix the problem, select the text and click on Format > Clear formatting.

Meeting Notes

Google Docs also has meeting notes, which are a valuable component. Meeting notes templates in Google Docs allow you to select a time and date from your calendar. Upon completion, a template with the meeting's date, name, and list of participants will be displayed. Take notes and add tasks in meetings with this. Using the document, you can even send Gmail invitations with meeting notes and delegate tasks. To start with "Meeting Notes", select the "Insert" tab from the menu bar. Click the "Building blocks" option from the dropdown menu and select the "Meeting notes" option.

Image Editing

Google Docs offers an image-attaching feature. The exciting part about this tool is that you can edit these inserted images with other options. To explore the tools of image editing, click on the image. A window will pop up that will list all the tools. Users can crop, mask and even add borders to their pictures.

Conference Calls

With the "UberConference" add-on, you can hold an audio conference call without leaving Google Docs, making it an even more collaborative platform. Enable the add-on and extend an invitation to your friends or coworkers. When they approve, everyone on the conference call can access the document and make edits as needed.

Open your document and select Add-ons from the menu on top. Select "Get add-ons..." and then look for "UberConference."

Share your Document with others

You might like to write your first draft alone, where no one else can see it. If so, you can write the rough draft alone and include others.

At the upper right corner of the screen, click on the "Share" icon. You can enter the email to send the document to the recipient or even generate a link to share with others. The recipient gets notified with an email where the link to the document is also mentioned.

It can be referenced from other documents or included in email signatures to make it easily shareable. You may also customize the sharing options. The recipients can view, edit and comment on the doc.

Footnotes

When referencing sources, footnotes are a terrific tool to use. You can find footnotes in your work at the bottom of each page, labelled with their appropriate numbers. Use footnotes to cite your sources when writing an article that depends significantly on research.

Select where you want to add footnotes. Choose "Footnote" from the "Insert" submenu on the page when requested. After that, insert the footnote and hit the "Save" button. The footnote and its matching number will now be visible at the bottom of the page, just where you left them.

Emoji Reactions

Click the smiley face between the remark and edit icons or highlight the text that makes you feel anything to react to anything in Google Docs. Then, choose the emoji that clearly shows how you feel.

Do you wish to add an emoji to the document itself? To access the emoji list, type a colon. For emojis with names, type them right after the colon if you know them. The other choice is to explore the available options.

Dictionary

The word's definition and synonym recommendations will appear inside your document rather than in a separate browser window. To define the word, select it, right-click on it, and select "Define." On the right side of your screen, you'll see the definition of the word that the Research tool looked up for you online.

Dropdown Menu

Dropdowns are a simple tool that enhances the user experience of any document or project. Using a dropdown menu, you can easily incorporate pre-made choices or personalize your own to match the specifics of your documents or projects.

Type @dropdown or choose "Dropdown" from the Insert option at the top of the page.

After that, data can be easily organized by adding or removing specific options according to your needs. You may quickly and easily keep tabs on projects, examine their development, and give specific tasks for each portion of documents with tremendous assistance.

Add e-signature

With Google Docs, you can even add your signature, making it ideal for professional purposes. You can easily add a signature by going to Insert > Drawing and clicking on +New. Now, use a mouse or trackpad to generate an e-signature.

Add Signature

Also Read

25 Google Docs Tips & Tricks - Hidden Features

Conclusion

Some of the tips in this post should be used immediately if Google Docs is essential to your work. Speed up your workflow by getting to know Google Docs and making it work. The ability to work more quickly is an excellent advantage of Google Docs, regardless of your use case.