Google Docs is a popular word processing application that allows real-time collaboration between multiple users. One useful feature in Google Docs is “Suggestion Mode”, which highlights proposed changes to a document, allowing the document owner to easily accept or reject edits from collaborators.
However, having Suggestion Mode turned on when you don’t need collaborative editing can be distracting. Here’s a guide on how to turn off Suggestion Mode in Google Docs on both desktop and mobile.
What is Suggestion Mode in Google Docs?
Suggestion Mode in Google Docs highlights any additions, deletions, or formatting changes in a document as suggestions rather than directly editing the document.
When Suggestion Mode is on:
- Any text added by collaborators is shown with an underline
- Any text removed is shown with a strikethrough
- Suggested edits appear in the right margin with options to accept or reject changes
This allows document owners to easily review modifications by collaborators before accepting them as final edits.
Having Suggestion Mode turned on can be helpful when collaborating on documents, but distracting when editing documents individually.
How to Turn Off Suggestion Mode in Google Docs Desktop
There are two simple ways to turn off Suggestion Mode using the Google Docs desktop interface:
1. Via the Suggesting Menu
- Open the Google Docs document
- Click on the pencil icon in the top right
- Select Editing from the drop-down menu
This will instantly turn off Suggestion Mode and return you to directly editing the document.
2. With a Keyboard Shortcut
You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Z (Windows/ChromeOS) or ⌘ + Alt + Shift + Z (Mac) to toggle Suggestion Mode on and off.
So if Suggestion Mode is currently enabled, pressing this shortcut key combination will turn it off.
How to Disable Suggestion Mode in Google Docs Mobile App
To turn off Suggestion Mode in the Google Docs app for iPhone, iPad, or Android devices:
- Open the Google Doc
- Tap on the 3-dot menu in the top-right
- Tap on Suggest changes
- Turn the slider for Suggest changes off
This will disable suggestions and proposed edits to the document.
When Should You Use Suggestion Mode in Google Docs?
Here are some instances where having Suggestion Mode enabled can be beneficial:
- Collaborating in real-time – multiple editors can make changes simultaneously, with a clear record of who suggested what
- Proofreading documents – subject matter experts can propose edits and wording improvements
- Providing feedback – stakeholders can annotate documents without directly editing the content
- Proposing revisions – changes can be previewed before altering the original document
Conversely, Suggestion Mode should be disabled when:
- You want to directly edit a document without tracking changes
- You find the change highlights distracting
- You are the sole editor of a document
Tips for Managing Suggestions in Google Docs
Here are some best practices for handling suggestions when collaborating on Google Docs with Suggestion Mode enabled:
- Communicate expectations – Set guidelines with collaborators on the scope of changes expected
- Review regularly – Don’t allow a long list of pending suggestions to accumulate
- Reply to queries – Use comment threads on suggestions to answer questions
- Group review sessions – Set aside time to review suggestions together with collaborators
- Archive revisions – Save milestone versions after accepting batches of suggestions
Conclusion
Learning how to turn off Suggestion Mode in Google Docs removes visual clutter when you want to work individually on a document. The techniques covered work both in the desktop interface and mobile apps.
Suggestion Mode can facilitate useful collaboration when co-editing documents. But it’s easy to enable and disable the feature so it doesn’t get in the way of your own editing.
Try switching between modes and find the right approach to suit your changing needs!
