Google Docs is getting support for a feature that many thought was already there

Google Docs is getting support for a feature that many thought was already there

Nonprinting characters have been around for years in Word to help the user visualize formatting in documents, but they only come to Google Docs now.

Jan 11th
2023
– 7:13 pm

(updated at 10:23 p.m.)

Google Docs is finally getting support for so-called non-printable characters, something many believe has been around for a long time. These visualizations show spaces, paragraphs, and line breaks in the document, but are hidden when someone creates the PDF file or prints the sheet on the printer.

According to the official Docs blog, the option will be placed in the View menu to make it easier to edit the document. Often the user is skeptical if that space in the layout was made with the spacer or if it was just an “insert”, which would be visible with these elements.

Many people do not like to work with this display style because they think the screen is too polluted. On the other hand, it can be essential for those whose daily livelihood is correcting or editing texts, especially those who need to follow ABNT rules.

Photo: Editing: Caio Carvalho/Canaltech/Canaltech

Previously, the only way to add non-printable characters was with third-party plugins. Now, it’s become something of a Docs native, which puts it on par with Microsoft Word, which has had this functionality for about 30 years – since its first versions.

The truth is, this is one of those features that people are surprised to find isn’t included yet. Since the tool is not very popular, most of them end up not missing out on these visuals, even though they are writers or copywriters.

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When do non-printable characters come to Google Docs?

The preview tool will be rolled out to all personal, business and educational accounts gradually. Expectations The Google It will be delivered to all users by February 7, 2023. As usual, there is no need to download anything, as the suite of applications runs directly in the browser.

yesterday (10), Docs has also received improvements in another tool Few people know about it: writing texts with sound. In addition to making the saying more understandable through the platform’s algorithm, the company has promised to expand compatibility with browsers other than Google Chrome.

At the end of last year, the text editor provided a powerful ally for application developers. You are Programmers are beginning to be able to highlight code in documents Thanks to improved visualization with appropriate styles, formatting and colors.

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By Chris Skeldon

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