Google Docs is undeniably useful, but firing up a new document, spreadsheet, or presentation and staring at a blank slate can be intimidating. That’s why back in September, Google introduced templates to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides to help users get started without so much initial setup work.
Now Google has enlisted the help of five experts in their respective fields to add a new handful of templates to the service, and these were announced yesterday. Not every user will need every one of the new templates, as they’re a bit more specialized than most of the templates introduced last year, but it’s nice to know that Google intends to stretch beyond the initial few templates offered.
For the small business owner, Google looked to Intuit, makers of the QuickBooks accounting software. This resulted in a template for Sheets for planning an annual business budget, designed to help individuals and businesses stay in control of their finances. Meanwhile, brothers Chip and Dan Heath, authors of the bestselling Made to Stick, provided a “big idea” template for Slides, aimed to help users create compelling presentations.
Google itself even joined the party via GV, formerly Google Ventures, which knows a thing or two about what it takes for a startup to get funded. This expertise is put to good use in the “pitch” template for Slides, which uses proven presentation tactics to help entrepreneurs pitch their ideas.
Not all of the new templates are aimed at businesses and professionals, however. Google also looked to Reading Rainbow and its host, LeVar Burton, to create templates for both teachers and students, with the new “lesson plan” and “book report” templates for Docs. Google jumped in once again, taking inspiration from the Google Science Fair to create a template for Slides meant for, yes, science fairs.
Over the past few years, Google Docs hasn’t exactly stagnated, but it hasn’t seen the steady trickle of updates many other Google products and services get. As of last year, however, that seems to be changing. With these new templates and the new voice typing function introduced last month, it seems Google has bigger things planned for Docs.
The new templates are all available in Docs, Sheets, and Slides now. To get started, just head over to Google Docs.
