Last Updated on March 7, 2024
While Microsoft Word still remains the go-to word processor, Google Docs has witnessed a tremendous rise in popularity over the past few years. One of Google Docs’ strongest selling points is that it comes with various collaboration features, including allowing users to view and edit the same document in real time. With Google Docs, users can also create, save, and access their documents safely online.
In addition to those impressive features, Google Docs also supports plenty of add-ons that offer extra functionality to document formatting. Google Docs add-ons are basically third-party application modules that you can install on your Google Docs to help you customize your documents further.
This post shall review the top Google Docs add-ons.
1. Text Cleaner
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As the name implies, Text Cleaner cleans up your text and gets rid of unnecessary formatting. Note that applying Google Docs’ built-in Clear Formatting tool removes all of your formatting. However, Text Cleaner only deletes the formatting from the selected area, which includes spaces and line breaks.
To use,
i. Highlight the section of the text that you wish to clean
ii. On the add-ons menu, select Text Cleaner
iii. Proceed to the configure option
iv. Select the formatting you’d like to delete and what you want to keep
v. Hit “Save”
2. Code Blocks
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Code Blocks adds the formatted codes to your documents. The add-on is particularly invaluable if you’re using Google Docs to write a code documentation and wants to attract comments on the codes.
To use,
i. Select the code in your document
ii. Open the Code Blocks sidebar
iii. Choose and apply your desired language and theme
iv. You can click “Preview” to get a glimpse of how the formatted code will look in your document
v. Complete the process by choosing whether to use or delete the text’s background
3. Doc Tools
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The Doc Tools add-on for Google Docs is used to sort text in lists. Built-in Google Doc tools come with various formatting features that you can use to change the capitalization of your text as well as highlight the text. But if you’re looking to customize your text further by sorting it, you apply the Doc Tools add-on.
To use,
i. Choose a list or paragraphs
ii. From the add-on menu, choose “Sort the select ascending or descending”
iii. You can choose to select your text alphabetically, numerically, or both. You can also choose to replace numbers with letters and vice-versa
4. Translate
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Translate translates your Google Docs texts in various languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. If you’d like to translate your document into any other language, you can use the Translate+ function. After translating your document, you can only apply the changes to your document in Safari or Chrome browsers.
To use,
i. Highlight the section of your text you wish to translate
ii. Go to the add-ons menu, then to Translate add-on
iii. Choose the language you’d like the text to be translated to and apply the changes
iv. Complete the process in a Chrome or Safari browser
5. WordPress.com for Google Docs
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WordPress.com for Google Docs makes the process of publishing your work quick and easy. It’s especially recommended for bloggers who’re looking for a Google Docs add-on that allows them to publish their content as soon as it’s ready.
To use,
1. Format your document using Google Docs formatting features
Alternatively, you can write in Markdown text
2. Once the document is ready for publishing, save it using the WordPress add-on
The document will be saved automatically on your WordPress as a draft post, including any images, charts, or graphs
3. You can then publish the document onto your blog directly from your WordPress admin
Conclusion
Google Docs comes with plenty of add-ons that let you personalize your documents to your desired specifications. The ten add-ons we’ve reviewed here are definitely a great place to begin as far as customizing your text goes.