5 things I love about the Google Docs redesign

[ad_1]

Google is updating the look of Google Docs, Slides, Drive, and Sheets. Changes are happening across the board for Google Workspace subscribers and free personal accounts. I love that we can all appreciate the changes, and there are five things in particular that really stand out to me as significant improvements.

This is a continuation of last year’s Material Design 3 updates to Gmail. If you’re happy with the look of Gmail, you’ll probably like the new Docs, too.

Subtle color adds structure

Google prefers an uncluttered look, but a large, blank page is intimidating. A little color and contrast can go a long way in making a page more inviting, and that’s coming with the latest update.

There will be no shadows, but even that stark white won’t be everywhere. In the new Workspace, Google prefers different shades of gray with a light blue tint. This update helps separate the comments and taskbar from the rest of the page, however subtle, making it easier to spot what you need.

Attention, curves ahead

Subtle shading isn’t the only change. Google has given some elements a bit of a visual boost. Buttons and icons have been revamped with rounded corners, perhaps inspired by the popular Apple pill design.

Again, it’s a minor detail, but these small improvements make all the difference when you live in Google Workspace for hours every day. Why the curved edges? So your eyes don’t get stuck on one corner and your gaze flows freely. It might sound crazy, but there are rarely sharp edges in nature, and we’re starting to emulate that in our technology.

Search chips find it faster

If your Google Drive looks similar to mine, it can be difficult to find a particular file. It’s the old story of the burden of naming and organizing, which works well as long as your schedule doesn’t get too tight. So things pile up in My Drive under whatever name they started instead of having Google Drive files neatly tucked away in folders.

Search Chips will help you by making filtering by file type, date modified, and owner quick and easy. Google Drive’s quality of life improvements add up hour by hour, day by day, saving you a tremendous amount of time and avoiding the frustration of knowing what you’re looking for is there, but you just can’t find it.

Everything, everywhere, all at once

Google detects if you do repetitive tasks with Drive files, and when the update rolls out, you’ll start getting help taking care of those chores with its new key actions. Even better, you can select multiple items and do them all at once.

Google hasn’t given specific details about what will be possible. However, any kind of Google Drive automation and bulk actions can improve your productivity.

Don’t make us wait

One of the best things about the new Google Docs update is that you won’t have to wait long. If you’re a Google Workspace subscriber and are in the rapid release program, you’ll see updates by March 21. The full release is scheduled for March 22, but Google says it could take a couple of days for the updates to roll out to all users.

Editor’s Recommendations

[ad_2]