Add-ons are a great way to enhance the functionality of Google Docs and add new features that can boost your productivity. With various add-ons available, you can do things like easily insert citations and bibliographies, access dictionaries and thesauruses, use advanced editing tools, integrate other applications, and more.
While Google Docs already comes packed with many built-in features, add-ons take it to the next level. However, before you can start reaping the benefits of these add-ons, you need to know how to properly install and manage them within your Google Docs environment.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding, installing, using, and uninstalling add-ons in Google Docs.
Finding Add-ons for Google Docs
The first step is finding some useful Google Docs add-ons to install. Here are some places you can look to browse or search for available add-ons:
- Google Workspace Marketplace: The Workspace Marketplace contains add-ons created specifically for Google Workspace products like Google Docs. This is the best place to look for secure and reliable add-ons optimized for Google Docs.
- Chrome Web Store: In the Chrome Web Store, you can find Chrome extensions and add-ons, some of which will also work with Google Docs. Make sure any extension specifically states Google Docs compatibility before installing.
- Third-party websites: Various third-party sites like Zapier, AwesomeTable, and others compile lists of compatible Google Docs add-ons. These can surface more niche tools not found in the major stores above.
Once you’ve found an add-on you want to use, it’s time to install it.
Installing Add-ons in Google Docs
Installing add-ons is simple and only takes a few clicks:
- Open the add-on page: Every G Suite Marketplace add-on has its own page that gives details about that specific add-on. Navigate to the page of the add-on you want to install.
- Click “Install”: On the right side of the add-on’s page, click the blue “Install” button.
- Give permission: A pop-up will ask you to give the add-on permission to work with your Google account and documents. Click “Continue” and then “Allow” on the next screen.
- Open Google Docs: If Google Docs isn’t already open, launch the web app from your app launcher or by navigating to docs.google.com.
Once an add-on is installed, you’ll see it appear in your “Add-ons” menu in the Google Docs toolbar, allowing you to access its features.
Using Add-ons in Google Docs
Interacting with add-ons is simple after you have them installed:
- Open a document: Open an existing document in Google Docs or create a new blank document to work in.
- Launch add-on: In the Docs toolbar, click “Add-ons” and select the add-on you want to use from the drop-down menu.
- Use features: The add-on panel will open, giving you access to that add-on’s unique functionality. Follow any on-screen instructions, buttons, or menus to leverage those features within your document.
- Close when finished: When you’re done using the add-on for the time being, close its panel by clicking the “X” icon to get it out of your way.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to the types of add-ons available and how they can help enhance your documents. Be sure to test out the features of any add-ons you install to familiarize yourself with them.
Uninstalling Add-ons in Google Docs
If you install an add-on but end up not using it anymore or are looking to remove bloat, uninstalling add-ons is simple:
- Open add-on manager: Click “Add-ons” > “Manage add-ons” in the Google Docs toolbar.
- Locate add-on: In your add-on manager panel, find the entry for the add-on you want to remove.
- Open more actions menu: Hover your mouse over the add-on entry and click the three-dot “More actions” menu that appears.
- Select “Remove”: Choose “Remove” from this drop-down menu to initiate uninstalling that add-on.
- Confirm removal: One last prompt will ask you to confirm removal of the add-on. Click “Remove” to complete uninstalling it.
The add-on entry will disappear from your add-on manager, and you will no longer see it as an option in your Google Docs toolbar. All unused add-ons should be uninstalled to free up system resources and keep your working environment clean.
Conclusion
Installing and managing add-ons is an impactful way to expand upon Google Docs’ already powerful base feature set. With just a few clicks, you can tap into new functionality like citations, editing tools, productivity timers, and much more.
Hopefully this guide gave you a good overview of finding add-ons to install, granting them access, leveraging their features within documents, and removing them when finished. Keeping your add-on suite tailored and bloat-free will ensure peak performance and productivity.
What’s your favorite Google Docs add-on and how has it improved your workflows? Let us know in the comments!
