Google's online office suite has helped millions of users leave Microsoft Office territory for good. However, what those users gain in simplicity and low cost, they lose in the absence of advanced functions. Fortunately, Google Docs has a system of add-ons that gives rise to all kinds of extensions, whose objective is to improve the overall experience and increase our productivity. Today we'll introduce some of the most important ones.
The time I have invested (and continue to invest) in the word processor available in Google Docs can no longer be calculated. Basically, every humble article of mine that passes through here comes out of that processor. With so many years and so many words, I believe I know for sure which points need improvement... but the truth is that Google doesn't listen, and any direct optimization for the applications must come through an extension. The number is not very large compared to Chrome extensions, but the utility of some is so great that they quickly become essential for any document or spreadsheet. Do you want to know them? Let's see...
Better Word Count
A critical function that is noticeably absent in Google Docs is a real-time word counter. It seems incredible that Mountain View hasn't implemented something like this yet, but the Better Word Count extension fills the gap wonderfully. Words and letters at the same time, everything is recorded with each keystroke, which will help you set the perfect size for your texts.
Doc Tools
Google Docs offers the basic elements to change text formatting, but some elements were left out, such as automatically capitalizing the first letter of each word, or why not, invert that. That's when Doc Tools appears with its macros and special shortcuts.
Easy Accents
As much as I'm a fan of keyboards, I only have one language configured, and some characters belonging to other languages must be invoked either with the Windows character map or with a special code. The Easy Accents extension eliminates that process from the root, presenting special characters in the side menu.
Translate
Google integrated an automatic translation system with Chrome... but what happens if we don't use that browser? Copying and pasting a text to translate it in another tab is effective, though uncomfortable. A much more comfortable solution is to install the Translate add-on in Docs, which keeps the entire process within a single window. You can choose the languages manually, or give automatic detection a chance.
OpenClipArt
Art! Drawings, symbols... these things are usually beyond the reach of Google Docs, unless you try to insert each element by hand. OpenClipArt has in its database an enormous amount of images, 50,000 to be precise, which should cover any immediate graphic need. If you want the images to be high definition, you'll need to purchase the Pro package.
Screenplay Formatter
Attention screenwriters: We know very well that the Web distributes dozens of tools dedicated to screenwriting, taking care of every detail about format and font type, but Google Docs can stand on the same level with the help of the Screenplay Formatter extension. Specify the font, margins, and click each option to get started.
Speech Recognition
Google Docs has in its tools section a function for converting speech to text and "dictating" the content to the processor; however, it is extremely simple, and its compatibility is basic. The Speech Recognition extension stands out as a much more advanced alternative, where you can choose the language and train punctuations.
Template Gallery
To close this list, we arrive at the format of documents. What do you want to do? A calendar? A receipt? Invitation cards? Go further with Template Gallery, which delivers multiple options divided into dozens of categories, ranging from business and finance to education and family. It will probably remind you (in part) of Office templates.
That's all for now. Don't forget that there are also extensions to add to Docs a calculator, a platform that solves equations, and a module that helps us write music Good luck!
