Microsoft Word may be the most widely-used word processor, but Google Docs is also gaining rapid popularity. Google Docs allows multiple users to edit the same document. It is also the safer option to create and save a document online using Google Docs than only saving a copy on your computer.
Along with its regular features, Google Docs also supports a host of add-ons to help you properly format a document. These add-ons are found under the Add-ons menu option.
Here are some useful Google Docs add-ons you can use to create professional documents.
1. Doc Builder
This feature is used to create snippets and save custom styles. That means you can use it to insert snippets of text that you use regularly. Things like the structure you use to write a particular type of document or the resume template of your choice.
How to Use:
- Open a sidebar in your new document.
- Select the file you want.
- Select Doc Builder from your add-ons menu.
- Choose any text, image, formatting etc. from older documents and insert them directly into the new one.
Download: Doc Builder (Free)
2. Page Layout Tool
Use this add-on to set custom page sizes. You can also use it to set custom margins for your page. Google Docs will ensure that the page size is retained while exporting the document as a PDF.
How to Use:
- Go to the add-ons menu
- Select Page Layout Tool, and input the size of the page and the margins that you need.
Download: Page Layout (Free)
3. Text Cleaner
This tool is used to remove any unnecessary formatting and clean up a text. If you select Clear Formatting in Google Docs, it will cause all your formatting to be removed. On the other hand, Text Cleaner allows you to remove the formatting only from a selected area. Line breaks and spaces are also removed.
How to Use:
- Select the part of the text you want to be cleaned.
- Select Text Cleaner from the add-ons menu.
- Go to the configure option.
- Select the formatting you want to keep or delete and hit save.
Download: Text Cleaner (Free)
4. Code Blocks
This can be used to add formatted codes to your document. This feature is particularly useful when you are writing code documentation and want other coders to comment on your work.
How to Use:
- Select the code in the document.
- Open the Code Blocks sidebar.
- Set the language and theme.
- You can use Preview to see how the formatted code will look in the text.
- Remove the background of the text or keep using it depending on your needs.
Download: Code Blocks (Free)
5. Table Formatter
This add-on has over 60 built-in designs and sets of tools to create customizable tables.
How to Use:
- Select a part of the table and go to Table Formatter.
- You can use Apply for all tables to set all the tables in the same style.
- Go to Custom Template and set your specifications for the table with custom border and row designs.
- You can split a table very quickly using the Splitting and Merging of Tables add-on.
Download: Table Formatter (Free)
6. Translate
As the name suggests, you can use this add-on to translate blocks of texts in Google Docs. The Translate add-on currently supports English, Spanish, French, German and Japanese with more languages expected to be added soon.
How to Use:
- Select the block of text you wish to translate.
- Go to Translate in the add-ons menu and select the language you wish to translate your text to.
- You can use Translate+ for even more language options to translate to.
Download: Translate (Free)
Note: The application can only be used in Chrome and Safari browsers. You can also add a thesaurus to Google Docs for even more language options.
7. Link Chooser
If you are in need of quick navigation to a Google Drive files, you can make use of Link Chooser. This application allows you to have quick access to other files while you are working on a document, like style guides or reference notes.
How to Use:
- Run the add-on and select the file or folder that needs to be inserted into your document.
- A few seconds later, the original file will be shown to be linked to the document’s title.
- Click on the link whenever you need to go back to the linked file for reference.
Download: Link Chooser (Free)
8. DocSecrets
A security application that allows you to use password protection on your document. Once you apply DocSecrets, only you and the people you share the password with will be able to access certain parts of the document and make editions to it.
How to Use:
- Enter a password in the side panel of Doc Secrets.
- Type whatever secret text you want in the insert field.
- To hide existing text, select the text and click Censor Text to hide it.
- Share your password with the people of your choice, and they will be able to see the text after installing Doc Secrets on their Google Docs page.
Download: DocSecrets (Free)
Note: This add-on should not be used for sensitive data like financial information since it cannot guarantee total security.
9. Speakd
It’s basically a text-to-speech application that you can use on your Google Documents. For now, you can only use Speakd to have text read aloud to you by the program. While this add-on is naturally of great use to the visually impaired users, it can also be used by regular users to take a break from staring at the computer screen.
How to Use:
- Select the part of the text that you want to be read aloud.
- Go to the Speakd option in the add-ons menu and hit play. A robot voice will read the text out to you.
Download: Speakd (Free)
Note: Speakd is not to be confused with the Voice Typing option offered by Google Docs, which allows you to verbally dictate your content and have the program write it out.
10. Lucidchart Diagrams
Use Lucidchart to add all kinds of graphics to your document. This add-on can be a bit difficult to get the hang of at first. While it does make the process of creating charts easier, you will have to go outside of Google Docs to complete the chart.
How to Use:
- Place the cursor at the place where you want to insert the diagram.
- Go to the Lucidchart app to build the diagram in detail.
- Once finished, you can insert the image from the Lucidchart sidebar.
Download: Lucidchart Diagrams (Free)
Creating Better Documents Online
With the help of these add-ons, you will no longer need to go back to Microsoft Word to create your full document and then upload it online to allow your colleagues to see your work and add their input. Google Docs can now be used to create virtually any kind of document that you can create using MS Word.
Add to that the other advantages offered by online document creation, and the scales begin to tip in Google Docs’s favor. Particularly since you are also able to sync with Google Keep, which enables note-taking, search and tagging features.
Read the full article: The 10 Best Google Docs Add-Ons for More Professional Documents
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