How to open a new Google Doc

Open up a new tab in Google Chrome and type into the address bar doc.new (or click that link). Voila! A fresh, new Google Doc should be open on your screen. The same system works for other Google apps too like Sheets, Slides, Forms, Sites, and the note-taking service Keep.

Google recently started selling .new domains to other companies like Airbnb, eBay, Canva, GitHub, and Medium, so you can expect to start seeing them pop up elsewhere too. For example, playlist.new launches a new playlist in Spotify.

How to read Google Docs comments quickly

Comments are an important part of the interactive nature of Google Docs, and there’s an easy way to cycle through them if you’ve got a lot of them to go through.

If you click on a comment in Google Docs, you can reply by typing R, move to the next comment by typing J, move to the previous comment by pressing K, and resolve a comment with E.

How to change the color of a Google Doc

Go to File, then page setup, and you’ll be able to change the background color of your Google Doc with a click.

A photo of yellow background on black text

How to draw on Google Docs

You can draw on Google Docs by clicking Insert, then Drawing and then using the interface a la Microsoft Paint. Google Drawings is integrated into all of the Google Workspace products.

Image for article titled 5 Google docs shortcuts that will make you more productive
Image: Scott Nover

How to see word count on Google Docs as you type

As a writer, one of my favorite Google Doc tools is the ability to see how many words you’re typing as you are writing. Go to Tools, then Word Count, then click the little box that says “Display word count while typing.” It’ll show you how you a word count in real time; if you’re working on a homework assignment or article, you’ll be incredibly conscious of just… how… many… words… you… have… left… to… write.

Word count on a sample document

The newest features on Google Docs

On Feb. 15, Google announced new features for Google Docs, including auto-generated document summaries in the lefthand sidebar, a pageless formatting option so writing isn’t interrupted by page breaks, new integrations with Google Maps, and a new email draft template.

Image: Google

📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief

Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.