Sometimes, it’s hard to love work, but Google’s here to make things a little easier for you in whatever way it can. Today, you might’ve noticed something a little different about your Google Docs — on the top left hand corner of your screen, you’re now being prompted to try out the Internet giant’s latest feature — voice typing. Because some days, even typing feels too hard.
In an official blog post announcement, product manager Isaiah Greene notes that you can now “capture ideas, compose an agenda, or even write the next great proposal — all without touching your keyboard. Starting today, you can also edit and format your documents with your voice.”
It’s a self-explanatory feature with quite a bit of functionality — to get started, you’ll simply visit the “Tools” menu within Google Docs, and select “Voice typing.” From there, just start speaking to your computer (and explain to your colleagues that you’re working, not losing your mind). Not only can you add content, but you’ll also be able to edit and format your work with commands including “copy,” “insert table,” and “highlight.” For a full list of voice command functionalities, you can click here or go to Google Docs and just say “voice commands help” as you’re voice typing.
Better still, Greene says, Google is recognizing that not all people sound the same even as they speak the same language. As such, the tech company is “also making it possible to dictate in Docs on the Web in dozens of additional dialects and accents, including English with an Indian accent, Spanish with a Mexican accent, and more.” This, the product manager promises, will allow you to “talk in the most natural way for you.”
With existing functionality, you can use voice commands in Google search, in your Gmail inbox, or even in your Drive — but now, Google is taking things a step further. So if you need a break today that doubles as a burst of productivity, try out voice typing in Docs.