How Can These 4 Simple Google Docs Tricks Transform Your Daily Writing Workflow?

Which Google Docs Features Actually Save Professional Writers Hours Every Week?

Writing takes up most of my day. I work with words constantly. Google Docs has become my go-to tool because it’s simple and works everywhere. But here’s what I learned: most people use Google Docs the hard way.

I used to waste time on basic tasks. Clicking through menus. Retyping the same formatting over and over. Starting new documents the slow way. Then I found these four features that changed everything.

These aren’t fancy tricks. They’re simple tools that Google built right into Docs. But they save me hours every single week. Let me show you exactly how to use them.

Feature 1: Compare Two Documents Side by Side

When I edit documents, I always keep the original version safe. I make a copy first. Then I edit the copy. This way, if something goes wrong, I still have my original work.

But here’s the problem: after editing, I want to see what changed. Going through version history takes forever. You have to click through each version. It’s slow and confusing.

Google Docs has a better way. The Compare Documents tool shows you exactly what changed between two files. It’s like having a smart assistant that highlights every single change.

How the Compare Tool Works

The tool creates a new document that shows both versions together. Deleted text gets crossed out in red. New text appears in red font. Comments on the side explain each change.

This comparison document saves automatically to your Google Drive. I use this feature every time I finish editing a long document. It’s much faster than checking version history.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the first document you want to compare
2. Click the Tools menu at the top
3. Select Compare Documents from the dropdown
4. Choose the second file you want to compare
5. Click Open to start the comparison
6. A popup will appear when it’s ready – click Open again
7. Review the changes shown in red text and strikethroughs
8. Check the comments panel for detailed change explanations

This feature saves me about 30 minutes per week. That might not sound like much, but it adds up to 26 hours per year.

Feature 2: Voice Typing for Faster Content Creation

I never learned to type properly. My fingers hit the wrong keys sometimes. But through years of writing, I got pretty fast at typing. Still, typing takes up most of my work time.

Then I discovered Voice Typing in Google Docs. You speak your words out loud. They appear on screen like magic. The accuracy surprised me – it gets most words right.

Why Voice Typing Works Better

Speaking is faster than typing for most people. Your brain thinks in words, not finger movements. When you speak, ideas flow more naturally.

I timed myself writing two paragraphs. First, I typed them normally. Then I used Voice Typing and fixed any mistakes. Voice Typing was 45 seconds faster, even with corrections.

Getting Started with Voice Typing

The key is speaking all your text first. Don’t stop to fix mistakes. Just keep talking. Then go back and clean up errors at the end.

You can say punctuation marks out loud:

• Say “period” for a full stop
• Say “comma” for a comma
• Say “question mark” for questions
• Say “new paragraph” to start a new line

Voice Typing Setup Steps

1. Click Tools in the top menu
2. Select Voice Typing from the list
3. Or use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+S (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+S (Mac)
4. Click the microphone icon that appears
5. Grant permission for Google Docs to use your microphone
6. Start speaking – your words will appear instantly

The first few times feel awkward. You’re not used to talking to your computer. But after a week, it becomes natural. Now I use Voice Typing for first drafts of everything.

Feature 3: Format Multiple Text Selections at Once

When I write articles, I need to make lots of text stand out. Menu names get special formatting. Keyboard shortcuts need emphasis. Important terms need highlighting.

The old way was painful. Select text. Apply formatting. Select more text. Apply the same formatting again. Repeat dozens of times. It took forever.

Google Docs lets you select multiple pieces of text at once. Then you apply formatting to all of them together. This works even when the text is scattered throughout your document.

How Multiple Selection Works

You can select a word in paragraph one. Then select a sentence in paragraph three. Then select two words in paragraph five. All while holding down one key. When you apply formatting, it affects all selected text.

This feature works with any formatting:

• Making text strong or emphasized
• Changing font colors
• Adding highlights
• Changing font sizes
• Creating links

Multiple Selection Instructions

1. Select your first word or phrase (double-click to select whole words)
2. Hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac)
3. Keep holding that key and select your next piece of text
4. Continue selecting text while holding the key
5. All selected text stays highlighted
6. Choose your formatting option – it applies to everything selected

I use this feature constantly when editing articles. It saves me at least an hour every week. Instead of formatting each piece individually, I select everything first, then format once.

Feature 4: Create New Documents Instantly

Starting a new Google Docs document used to be a hassle. I would search for “Google Docs” in my browser. Click the link. Wait for the page to load. Click “Blank Document.” Then wait again.

There’s a much faster way that most people don’t know about. You can create a new document with just a few keystrokes.

The Secret URL Shortcut

Type doc.new in your browser’s address bar. Press Enter. A blank Google Docs document opens instantly. No searching. No clicking. No waiting.

This works in any browser, not just Chrome. You just need to be signed into your Google account.

Other Google Shortcuts

Google made similar shortcuts for their other tools:

• sheets.new – Creates a blank Google Sheets spreadsheet
• slides.new – Opens a new Google Slides presentation
• forms.new – Starts a new Google Forms survey
• sites.new – Begins a new Google Sites website

Why This Saves So Much Time

I create new documents dozens of times per week. Each time used to take 30-45 seconds. Now it takes 3 seconds.

The best part: after using doc.new a few times, your browser remembers it. I only need to type “do” and press Enter. Chrome suggests the full URL automatically.

This tiny change saves me about 20 minutes per week. That’s 17 hours per year just from faster document creation.

Making These Features Part of Your Routine

These four features work best when you use them regularly. Start with one feature. Practice it for a week. Then add the next one.

Week 1: Try Voice Typing

Start your next writing project by speaking instead of typing. Don’t worry about mistakes at first. Just get comfortable talking to your computer.

Week 2: Add Multiple Selection

When you need to format text, try selecting multiple pieces at once. Practice holding Ctrl or Cmd while selecting different words.

Week 3: Use Document Comparison

Next time you edit a long document, use the Compare Documents tool. See how much easier it is than checking version history.

Week 4: Master Quick Document Creation

Replace your old way of starting new documents with doc.new. Bookmark it or let your browser remember it.

The Real Impact on Your Work

These features seem small individually. But together, they add up to significant time savings. I calculated my weekly time savings:

• Document comparison: 30 minutes saved
• Voice typing: 2 hours saved
• Multiple selection formatting: 1 hour saved
• Quick document creation: 20 minutes saved

Total weekly savings: 3 hours and 50 minutes

That’s nearly 200 hours per year. Almost five full work weeks of extra time.

Common Questions About These Features

Question: Does Voice Typing work with accents?

Answer: Yes, Google’s voice recognition handles most accents well. It learns your speech patterns over time and gets more accurate.

Question: Can I use multiple selection with different formatting types?

Answer: No, you can only apply one type of formatting at a time to your multiple selections. But you can select the same text again and apply different formatting.

Question: Do these shortcuts work on mobile devices?

Answer: Voice Typing works great on phones and tablets. The other features work best on computers with full keyboards.

Question: What if the Compare Documents tool shows too many changes?

Answer: You can filter the comparison to show only specific types of changes, like additions or deletions.

Question: Why Most People Miss These Features

Answer: Google Docs has hundreds of features. Most people learn the basics and stop there. They never explore the Tools menu. They stick with what they know.

But the biggest time-savers are often hidden in plain sight. These four features have been in Google Docs for years. They’re not secret or advanced. They’re just overlooked.

The difference between efficient and inefficient Google Docs users isn’t skill level. It’s knowing which features actually save time in daily work.

Your Next Steps

Pick one feature from this list. Try it tomorrow. Don’t wait until you have time to learn all four. Start with whichever one addresses your biggest daily frustration.

If you spend lots of time comparing document versions, start with the Compare Documents tool. If typing slows you down, try Voice Typing first. If you format lots of text, use multiple selection. If you create many new documents, use doc.new.

The goal isn’t to use every feature. It’s to find the ones that save you the most time in your specific workflow.

These simple changes transformed how I work with Google Docs. They can do the same for you. The time you save adds up quickly. More importantly, you’ll spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time on actual writing.