About Google Docs

What's new in Google Docs?

We're still working to make Google Docs a better place, and we're listening closely to your suggestions. If you have anything you'd like to tell us, don't hesitate to let us know, and keep checking back for additions and improvements.

  • Upload, preview & share PDFs
    One of our top feature requests is now implemented: upload, preview and share PDFs in Google Docs! Click the Upload button in the Docs list to get started. While you can't yet edit PDFs, you can at least select text to copy & paste elsewhere. You can also share PDFs just like you can share your regular Google Docs. Learn more.
    Upload, preview & share PDFs

  • View menu & options
    We've added a View menu into the document toolbar with two options: the normal view ("big open white space") and a new view that displays page margins and a fixed page width. Learn more.
    View menu & options

  • More form features
    Have some ideas, but looking for others? Now you can let people choose from your multiple choice options or type in their own. Also new: get code to embed a form in your own webpage. Learn more about embedding a form or editing questions.


  • Help menu in document toolbar
    Help is now closer at hand! We've added a Help menu just to the right of the document Tools menu. Check out especially the "Learn from other Google users" option, which takes you straight to the Google Docs Help Group.
    Help menu in document toolbar

  • Choose a size for embedded presentations
    One size does not fit all -- so we've added an option to choose a size for your embedded presentations. Learn more.
    Choose a size for embedded presentations

  • Select multiple objects on a slide
    Ever been frustrated with moving and arranging objects on your slides, one by one? Worry no more! You can now select multiple objects at once -- then move them around, resize them, copy and paste them and more. Learn more.
    Select multiple objects on a slide

  • More sharing options in Docs list
    Now you can both add and remove people's access and set advanced permissions from the Docs list (not yet implemented for spreadsheets). Learn more.

  • Browser right-click menu
    Hold down the Shift key while you right click to use the browser (rather than Google Docs') right-click menu in the Docs list and while editing documents.

  • Old-style printing for documents
    Choose File > Print to webpage to print your documents directly from the browser. Print Settings - now a separate File menu option - only apply to regular printing (via PDF). Learn more.
    Old-style printing for documents

  • Edit CSS for documents
    Tech-savvy users can now apply CSS to documents. Select Edit > CSS to create your own custom styles. See our tips & tricks for using CSS.
    Edit CSS for documents

  • Presentation speaker notes
    You can now add speaker notes to your slides. These notes will be visible to you and your viewers in presentation mode or when you print your slides. Learn more.
    Presentation speaker notes

  • Insert videos into your presentations
    Adding videos to your presentations is now just a few clicks away. In the Edit toolbar you'll see the new "Insert video" option which allows you to embed videos into your slides. Learn more.
    Insert videos into your presentations

  • Offline access
    You can now edit your documents and view your presentations and spreadsheets without an internet connection. Changes are saved to your browser while you are offline and automatically saved when Google Docs detects an internet connection. Learn more.
    Offline Access

  • Save presentations as .ppt
    Now you can save your presentations as PowerPoint files in addition to basic text and PDF. Learn more.
    Export presentations as .ppt

  • More search options, savable!
    If simple search doesn't give you what you need, click on the Show search options link to the right of the Search Docs button just above the blue toolbar in the Docs list. Enter your search options, and then save your search for quick future reference. Learn more.
    More search options, savable!

  • Saved searches home
    Once you have saved a few searches, try clicking on the new Saved searches header in the left pane of the Docs list (just under the Trash icon). You can create a customized dashboard showing just the docs you want, for example docs in a particular folder + starred docs + docs owned by a specific person, etc. Try it out & let us know what you think! Learn more.
    Saved searches home

  • Colored folder names
    Use colored folder names to make items in specific folders stand out in your Docs list. Learn more.
    Colored Labels

  • Change document ownership
    If you create a document and later want to make someone else the owner, now you can! Select the document or presentation (not yet implemented for spreadsheets) in the Docs list and select More Actions > Change Owner. Learn more.

  • Gadgets in spreadsheets
    Ever wish you could map your spreadsheet data? Pivot around it? Plot it on a fancy chart? Create any visualization you want by choosing from our existing library of gadgets, or writing your own. The power is yours. Learn more.
    Gadgets in spreadsheets

  • Get spreadsheet updates by email
    When you want to know when collaborators are editing certain spreadsheets, set notification rules to be notified by email - you'll even get a link which shows you what's been changed! Learn more.

  • Function improvements
    Do math faster. Function autocomplete helps you remember exactly how a formula is spelled and what parameters it needs. For example, typing "SU" lets you choose between SUM, SUMIF, and SUMPRODUCT. Parameters are faster, too. Now you get a hint when you select a formula name, and you can use arrow keys to select cells. Learn more.
    Function improvements

  • Historical quotes using GoogleFinance
    The GoogleFinance function can now be used to view historical prices of stocks. Just specify the stock and a date range (or number of days) and get values of open, close, volume etc. of stocks for those days. This is valid for the Nasdaq, New York, American and London exchanges. Learn more.

  • New Functions to Sort and Filter
    If you want more options to filter and sort lists, try the Sort(), Filter() and Unique() functions. These are really powerful. Learn more.

  • Most of Google Docs now in 40 languages
    We've added support for two right-to-left languages, Arabic and Hebrew, in all features of Google Docs except for spreadsheets. We figured that "most" support sooner is better...so that brings our grand total languages supported to 40 for most of Google Docs! Learn more.
    Google Docs in Arabic and Hebrew screenshot

  • Forms: spreadsheet editing for the rest of us
    Create a form and invite people to fill it out. They won't need to sign in, and they can respond directly from the email message or from an automatically generated web page. Answers will be automatically added to your spreadsheet. Learn more.
    Google Forms screenshot

  • Keep track of forms and responses on your iGoogle page
    Add the Google Docs Forms Gadget to your iGoogle page to keep an eye on form responses. This gadget lists your most recently active forms, with new responses highlighted. Jump directly to the form results from your iGoogle homepage. Learn more. or Add to Google

  • Chart labels, clearly
    A picture is worth a thousand words, but only when the words on the picture look right. With improved chart labels, you'll be able to more easily describe your data with axis labels which are automatically formatted and rotated to fit. Learn more.
    Improved charting screenshot

  • Freeze Columns
    Freezing columns makes it easier to navigate a wide spreadsheet. We know many of you who were patiently waiting for this one - but we won't name names ;) Learn more.
    Freeze columns screenshot

  • Images in spreadsheets
    A picture is worth a thousand words (oh - did we use that one already?). Now you can include photos, logos, icons, or any other images in your spreadsheet. Learn more.
    Insert images screenshot

  • Insert shapes to your presentation
    Basic shapes: circles, rectangles, arrows, and comment bubbles. Create basic diagrams and annotate your slides using simple, elegant shapes. Learn more.
    Shapes screenshot

  • Save presentations as PDF
    Easily save a copy as PDF for presenting offline. Learn more.

  • More print options for your slides
    Now you can print 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, or 12 slides on a single sheet of paper. Save trees and still get useful handouts to share! Learn more.

  • Charting improvements
    We've added a new chart type. Use an area chart when you want to color the area beneath a charted line.
    Area chart screenshot

  • Corrected logic for Cut/Paste
    If you were ever frustrated when you cut and pasted a cell and the formulas which pointed to that cell didn't reflect that change, then you'll be happy to know that we finally fixed this. Now, the cut and paste action will also update formulas which depended on those cells which were moved. Learn more.

  • Drag & drop cells
    You can now drag and drop cell(s) as a shortcut for moving them from one location to another. Just select the cell(s) you want to move, position your mouse pointer over the edge of the selected region and drag the whole range to its new location. Cell formulas pointing to those cells should change to reflect the move - and don't forget to use UNDO (ctrl-Z or cmd-z) if you moved something incorrectly. Learn more.
    Drag and drop cells screenshot

  • Hierarchical folders
    Create sub-folders...and sub-folders of sub-folders...and sub-folders of sub-folders of sub-folders... get organized for the new year! Learn more.
    Hierarchical folders screenshot

  • Renaming docs and folders
    Rename documents and folders from the Docs home toolbar (the new Rename option is now between Delete and More Actions).

  • New printing features in documents
    Get more control over your printed documents - set page orientation, change paper size (A4 or 8.5" x 11"), choose whether to include page numbers and customize your margins. Learn more.
    New printing features screenshot

  • Rearrange slides more easily
    Select multiple slides and drag to move or duplicate (by holding down Ctrl while dragging) No more having to move them one at a time. Learn more.

  • Customize the background
    Change your slides' background to an uploaded image or a variety of solid colors. You can change the background for the whole presentation or just a single slide. Learn more.
    Change slide background screenshot

  • Embeddable presentations
    Embed your slideshow anywhere: use the embed code on the "Publish" tab to put your slides on any website, including your blog. Learn more.

  • Import slides from another presentation
    Easily insert slides from other presentations: select slides from PowerPoint files or other Google presentations to add to your current presentation. Talk about reusing slides! Learn more.

  • Add images to your presentation from any website
    Easily drag images into your slides: just go to any website and drag the image directly onto a slide. No more saving to the desktop and inserting it. Learn more.

  • Support for 13 more languages
    Now you can use the Google Docs interface in even more languages: Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Filipino, Greek, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Serbian, Slovak and Slovenian. Learn more.

  • View Google Docs on your mobile phone
    Point your phone's web browser to docs.google.com/m to view your documents on the go. Check what team you're playing against as you head to the soccer fields or reference your latest guest list as you meet with your in-laws-to-be.
    Learn more. about Google Docs on mobile devices.
    Get Google Docs on your mobile phone

  • Hide data to eliminate clutter
    You can now hide (and unhide) rows and columns in your spreadsheets. Just highlight the range you'd like to hide, right-click, and choose the Hide Rows or Hide Columns option from the drop down menu. Learn more.
    Hide data in your spreadsheet

  • Conditional formatting
    Need to keep track of a complex or quickly changing spreadsheet? Now you can format the text and background colors of spreadsheet cells based on rules. Learn more.

  • Create and share presentations
    Presentations are finally here. With this new feature you can create and collaborate on presentations with your colleagues and friends - your days of consolidating email feedback on storyboards are over. And since the presentation is online you can share and view it in real time with anyone at anytime. Finally, since "Google Docs, Spreadsheets and Presentations" was a mouthful we also updated the name to be "Google Docs". Learn more.
    Create and share presentations

  • Use Google Docs in 10 more languages
    We've worked hard to make Google Docs more accessible to people around the globe. You can now use the Google Docs interface in Danish, Czech, Finnish, Hungarian, Indonesian, Norwegian, Swedish, Thai, Ukrainian and Vietnamese. Learn more.

  • Type less, get more
    Autofill lets you drag the special handle to fill in cells with existing patterns such as numbers, words, or dates. For a bonus, hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Alt (Mac) to get answers from Google Sets. Learn more.
    Type less, get more

  • New advanced functions
    For those of you who love advanced functions, we've added five new functions that can pull in data from Google Reader and from filetypes such as: xml, html, csv, tsv. The data you receive automatically updates every few hours. Learn more.

  • Add. Faster.
    Look in the lower right corner to see a quick preview of the sum of your currently selected cells. Learn more.
    Add. Faster.

  • A new tool for freezing rows and sorting the spreadsheet
    Organize and sort your spreadsheet quickly using the sortbar under each column. You can also drag the sortbar to freeze rows that you always want to keep at the top, such as instructions or headers. Learn more.
    A new tool for freezing rows and sorting the spreadsheet

  • Use any browser to read Google Docs
    Internet cafe in Mongolia? Borrowing a computer at Great-Aunt Ella's house? Now, when you're using a web browser that doesn't support the editing and collaboration parts of Google Docs & Spreadsheets, you can still log in to see your content. Which browsers are supported?

  • What are my collaborators looking at?
    When multiple people are working in a spreadsheet at the same time, cell presence indicators show you where they are. Learn more.

  • Organize your documents with folders
    As your documents grow in number, we wanted to make it easier to manage and organize them by adding folders. Create a folder by clicking the "New" button in the upper left hand corner, select "Folder" and add the name of the folder. Now just drag and drop any document into it or add one document to multiple folders. Learn more.
    Organize your documents with folders

  • Easier invitations
    You shared your concerns about the old invitation system: needing to invite everyone on a mailing list, or having problems inviting users who had multiple addresses and multiple Google Accounts. So we've simplified our invitations to work better in those cases.
    Best of all, inviting people is as easy as ever. Learn more.

  • New keyboard shortcuts
    We added a dozen new keyboard shortcuts to the editor to speed up common operations. Learn more.

  • Right to left text support
    Now you can select either Left to Right or Right to Left directionality when typing in a document or spreadsheet cell. Users who wish to write in Hebrew or Arabic will find it much easier to compose documents in these languages. Learn more.
    Right to left text support

  • Charts!
    Now it's easy to show data in simple graphics to friends or co-workers with charts. Select from various styles to meet your visualization needs. Learn more.
    Charts

  • Range names
    Now you can reference a range of cells in any formula by a nickname (like "zipcodes") instead of cell letters and numbers (like "A2:M33"). Learn more.

  • Comments
    Feel like leaving a comment for yourself or a friend on a spreadsheet? Now you can leave comments on any spreadsheet cell for all to see. Learn more.