Google’s very own text editor called Google Docs has just been revamped with the ability to add emoji reactions. The official confirmation has arrived from the developers themselves in a dedicated blog post. However, the feature’s availability is limited to only a specific set of Google accounts. If you’re a free G Suite user, you won’t be able to test the new functionality out on your end, unfortunately. Read on as we talk about how to add emoji reactions on Google Docs on the web.
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Adding emoji reactions in a Google Docs document
If you’re an avid Google Docs user, you’re already aware of how the productivity-centric app, including the rest of the entries in G Suite, involves collaboration features. It’s big on teamwork and lets everyone in a single department work together on a particular document. The developers believe that “Giving and receiving feedback is a key collaborative workflow in Google Docs.”
The arrival of emoji reactions in this space genuinely spells increased communication, similar to how emoticons play a role in other chat messenger apps like Google Chat. You can now tone down the formality within a document and better convey your thoughts on a specific portion of the work.
Now, onto the big question, how do you exactly start to react to the text in a Google Docs document with an emoji? Let’s talk about that now.
The whole process is straightforward. You will begin by selecting the text that you want to react to. This can be done effortlessly with the help of your cursor, and we’re sure you’ve pulled this off plenty of times before. After selecting the text, so it’s highlighted in blue, an emoji icon will appear right beside the text. It’ll be among the previously apparent “Suggest edits” and “Add a comment” options.
Emoji reaction in Google Docs (Source: Google)
Clicking on this emoji icon will open up a small-scale menu, allowing you to choose from the hundreds of emojis present within the emoji picker. You’ll get the same type of emoticons to use in Google Docs as you would on Google Chat, the latest version of the emoji set (Emoji 14.0).
That’s about it for knowing how to add emoji reactions on Google Docs on the web. Next, let’s explore some extra information regarding this new functionality, including its availability and roll-out details.
Emoji reactions on Google Docs – Availability and roll-out
The new emoji reactions feature for Google Docs has just been launched yesterday, which was April 5, 2022. Quite obviously, all Google users won’t be able to try the functionality on their end right away. The roll-out pace is gradual and usually takes about 15 days for the feature to become visible. However, this is only for the “Rapid” release track.
As an administrator, you can choose what type of release track your managed devices get. There’s the option of either selecting the aforementioned Rapid release track or the Scheduled release track. In terms of the latter, the roll-out of the new emoji reactions feature on Google Docs will begin on April 20, 2022, so do sit tight if you’re on this particular release track.
As for the accounts that will be able to land the functionality, free G Suite users will have to miss out on this one, we’re afraid. Individuals who have opted for the following G Suite accounts will be able to use the emoji reactions feature and not others:
- Google Workspace Essentials
- Business Starter
- Business Standard
- Business Plus
- Enterprise Standard
- Enterprise Plus
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that no administrative privileges will allow admins to turn the emoji reactions feature off. It will be toggled on by default as soon as it arrives on your device.
This is all you need to know about the new emoji reactions feature on Google Docs!
Conclusion
Google Docs is a major constituent of Google’s desktop productivity applications, similar to Microsoft Word in Office 365. It’s fast, effective, lightweight, and works just as intended on the web. Chromebooks, in particular, have been able to use the text editor profoundly ever since the product’s release.
Chrome OS likes to employ Progressive Web Applications for software such as these. You get to install the apps in question and enjoy an intuitive browser-based experience. You’ll love the new emoji reactions functionality on your trusty Chromebook, given the speed and effectiveness of the software at hand.
Please let us know in the comments section if you can already use the feature on your device. Chrome Ready wishes you good luck!
- Before you go, here are the 10 best Google Docs resume templates that you should check out.
