Google Adds Feature Improving Tool Discovery in Docs, Sheets, Slides

Using some Google Workspace apps just became easier.

Google recently added an enhanced tool finder at the top of some Google Workspace apps to make using them easier for users, especially those trying them out for the first time.

The feature is now available on the Google Workspace apps the company added it on.

Google Enhanced Tool Finder Details

Google mentioned in its latest Workspace Updates blog that it added an enhanced tool finder at the top of three of its most widely used Workspace apps to make it easier for users to find and discover commonly used tools and features. The Workspace apps that received this new and improved tool finder are Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides.

The tech giant expects the new and enhanced tool finder will save time and users' workflow by helping them find the exact feature or tool much quicker than normal. Before the update, users could locate various features and tools on the previously mentioned Workspace apps by going to their Hep menu and selecting Search - a cumbersome solution to find certain features, especially in a hurry.

What's special with this new tool finder is that users can use their own words to locate relevant features or functionality quickly. For example, searching for "who last viewed this document" will make the Activity dashboard appear, allowing users to view who last saw the document in question.

Opening the enhanced tool finder immediately after creating a new file makes suggestions for common actions taken when preparing a new document, spreadsheet, or presentation appear. For instance, Google Docs' tool finder will suggest opening Page setup, Dropdown, and opening Meeting Notes, while Google Sheets' will suggest inserting rows/columns, merging cells, and/or freezing them.

Google Slides' tool finder would suggest opening Page Setup, Spell Check, and Edit Theme upon creating a new presentation, similar to Google Docs' and Google Sheets'.

The Verge reports that this new tool finder comes with a pill-shaped design consistent with Google's recent Material Design 3 overhaul, giving the new feature a look that doesn't stand out from the design of these Google Workspace apps.

Google mentioned it is gradually rolling out its new and enhanced tool finder to all users. However, the company said it would start rolling the feature out on Rapid Release domains on Apr. 25, while it would do the same to Scheduled Release domains on May 10.

Google Workspace Apps' New UI

Google's addition of its new and enhanced tool finder is part of its efforts to make its Workspace apps easier to use than before. These efforts include the apps' new user interfaces that let users access their features more easily.

This new UI design also fits the company's Material Design 3 language, per an earlier report of The Verge. This new UI makes the productivity apps look similar to Gmail's UI, removing the clutter and adding a few improvements and additions along the way.