In addition to Microsoft Word, Google Docs is also rapidly gaining popularity. It allows multiple users to edit the same document, and the security of creating and saving documents online using Google Docs is also much higher than just saving a copy on your computer.
It also supports a large number of add-ons to help you format your documents correctly.
We’ve listed 10 powerful Google Docs plugins for you to help you better create professional documents.
1. Doc Builder
This feature is used to create code snippets and save custom styles. This means that you can use it to insert snippets of text that you use frequently.
How to Use:
1. Go to Add-ons > Docs Builder > Open sidebar.
2. Browse through the menu and insert one of the built-in snippets.
3. To insert any text, image, or formatting from older documents, click the My drive icon.
Download: Doc Builder (Free)
2. Read Aloud TTS
Read Aloud TTS is a text-to-speech application, but currently, you can only use Read TTS to have the program read text aloud. While this plugin is very useful for visually impaired users, it can also be used by the average user to take a break, so that you no longer have to stare at the computer screen for a long time.
How to Use:
1. Select the part of the text you want to read aloud.
2. Go to the “Speak TTS” option in the add-ons menu and use the sidebar to configure the settings. The bot in reading Aloud TTS will read the text aloud for you.
Download: Read Aloud TTS (Free)
3. Page Sizer
Page Sizer can set a custom page size. Google Docs will ensure that the page size is preserved when exporting documents to PDF.
How to Use:
1. Go to the Add-ons menu
2. Select Page Sizer > to set the page size.
3. Enter the page size you need.
Download: Page Sizer (Free)
4. DocSecrets
DocSecrets is a secure application that allows you to password-protect your files. And only you and the person who shared the password with you will be able to access and supplement certain parts of the file.
How to Use:
1. Enter the password in the side panel of DocsSecrets.
2. Enter any secret text you want in the Insert field.
3. To hide existing text, select the text and tap Review Text to hide it.
4. Share your password with someone of your choice and easily see the text as long as they have Doc Secrets installed on their Google Docs page.
Download: DocSecrets (Free)
5. 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:
1. Select the part of the text that you want to clean up.
2. Select Text Cleaner from the add-ons menu.
3. Go to Configuration Options.
4. Select the format you want to keep or delete, then click Save.
Download: Text Cleaner (Free)
6. Icons for Slides & Docs
Icons for Slides & Docs has over 5 million icons, so you don’t have to look for icons online.
How to Use:
1. Go to add-ons > Slideshows and Files icons > Start.
2. Use the Search Icon field to find the icon you want to insert.
3. Tap one of the icons to select a size.
4. Click Insert.
Download: Icons for Slides & Docs (Free)
7. Code Blocks
Code Blocks can be used to add formatted code to your document. It’s especially useful when you’re writing code documentation and want other coders to comment on your work.
How to Use:
1. Select the code in the document.
2. Go to the code block > start.
3. Set the language and theme.
4. You can use Preview to see how the formatting code will look in the text.
5. Remove the text background or continue using it as needed.
Download: Code Blocks (Free)
8. Docs Paragraph Translate
Docs Paragraph Translate can be used to translate blocks of text in Google Docs. It supports most popular languages, such as English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese, with more languages expected to follow.
How to Use:
1. Select the text block you want to translate.
2. Launch the “Document Paragraph Translation” add-on.
3. In the Add-ons menu, select the language in which you want to translate the text.
4. In the second tab, click Translate.
Download: Docs ParagraphTranslate (Free)
9. PDF Table Importer
PDF Table Importer allows you to import any PDF table directly into your document. So you don’t have to convert PDF files before copying data.
How to Use:
1. Go to Add-ons > PDF Table Importer > Import Table.
2. Click the “Open File” button and select the PDF file.
3. Using the Select option, select the area of the table you want to copy into your document.
4. Click Extract.
Download: PDF Table Importer (Free)
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:
1. Place the cursor at the position where you want to insert the relationship diagram.
2. Go to the Lucidchart application to build the diagram in detail.
3. When finished, you can insert images from the Lucidchart sidebar.
Download: Lucidchart Diagrams (Free)
Google Docs can now be used to create almost any type of document that you can create with MS Word. With the help of these add-ins, you will no longer need to go back to Microsoft Word to create complete documents.
Together with the other advantages offered by online document creation, Google Docs will be even more advantageous, especially since it is also available for mobile devices.
