Google Docs is constantly changing, with new features and improvements. There’s a new feature on the way that might make managing templates and copying documents easier: building blocks.
Google is rolling out a new feature in Docs that allows you to save blocks of text, tables, andchipsas reusable blocks. you’re able to then insert those blocks into other documents. It’s a bit like template files, but just for small sections of a document. Microsoft has been experimenting with a somewhat similar concept, allowingLoop componentsto be dropped into applications like Teams and Outlook, but those work more like embedded workspaces that synchronize changes back to the origin.
Google said in a blog post, “For example, you might create a project kickoff template to track milestones and tasks, a product launch checklist, or even a block of code or text that’s commonly used within your organization. Rather than reworking the out-of-the-box building blocks to meet your specific needs or searching for a template that you frequently copy/paste into a new Doc, you can save that snippet or the entire document as a custom building block, and easily insert the content into other documents.”
You’ll be able to create a building block by selecting part of a document, then right-click and select “Save as custom building block.” Your saved blocks will be stored in a Google Drive folder. you’re able to then use the block later in a document by typing an @ symbol, followed by the name of the block.
Unfortunately, Google isn’t rolling out custom blocks to personal Google accounts – only select work or school accounts (Google Workspace). Maybe that will change in the future. In the meantime,collapsible headersare rolling out to everyone.
