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Google Docs, Slides and Sheets apps get new formatting sidebar on Android tablets

By Maria Santos
1 min read
Google Docs
Google Docs
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Google’s three apps that make writing and editing text such a breeze even on mobile devices, Docs, Slides and Sheets, have been updated earlier this week with a bunch of improvements to their comments system.

Over the weekend, the search giant confirmed that another important update is making its way to Android users. All three apps, Docs, Slides and Sheets, are getting a new formatting sidebar that reduces the number of taps needed to navigate to formatting options.

Basically, you’ll be able to arrange text, tables, images and more, much easier than before. The new formatting sidebar will be rolled out to Android tablets at the beginning of the next month, Google announced in a blog post.

According to the Mountain View company, the update will be released to Scheduled Release domains on March 6, while users enrolled in the Rapid Release domains should already be able to take advantage of the new formatting sidebar on their Android tablets.

It’s important to add that the new feature is available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. So, just about everyone who uses Google’s Docs, Slides, and Sheets apps.

In related news, Google announced that its Slides apps is getting another new feature that will allow users to easily drag and drop an image to replace the background in the app.

This feature is currently rolling out to Rapid Release domains and should be launched to Scheduled Release domains on February 26. It will be available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.

Questions & Answers

Q.

Which specific Google apps are receiving the new formatting sidebar update?

A.

The new formatting sidebar update is being rolled out to Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets. This feature aims to simplify arranging text, tables, and images for users on their devices, making editing more efficient and straightforward.

Q.

When will the new formatting sidebar become available for all Android tablet users?

A.

Users on Rapid Release domains should already have access to the new formatting sidebar. For Scheduled Release domains, the update is planned for release on March 6. It will be available from the beginning of next month.

Q.

Which users are eligible to receive the new formatting sidebar and the Slides background feature?

A.

Both the new formatting sidebar and the Slides background replacement feature are available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. This covers a broad range of users.

Q.

What is the new feature specifically for the Google Slides app?

A.

The Google Slides app is getting a new feature that lets users easily drag and drop an image to replace the background directly within the app. This functionality is separate from the main formatting sidebar update.

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