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Google has announced a new feature to make it easier for developers to collaborate and share code in its word processor software.
Initially announced in the company roadmap (opens in new tab)the company explained that users can now paste code into a Google Docs document and then manually apply styles by highlighting syntax, indents, newlines, and spaces.
While it’s been possible to do this for a long time, it hasn’t exactly attracted programmers to Google Workspace, but as more companies use the platform to manage their productivity tools, the company has now announced an even easier formatting option.
Coding in Google Docs
Users can now download the Insert > Build blocks > Code block menu to automatically format highlighted text, or use the ‘@’ shortcut to find a block of code.
It is also set up to work with markdown where users can open the markup by typing “` followed by enter. Other markdowns include a combination of asterisks and underscores for italics and bold.
Google says it works with industry standards to make coding more readable, giving a useful boost to collaboration where others office apps failure. A screenshot on the company website (opens in new tab) shows the availability of C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python and a final Unset option.
The rollout to rapid release domains has already begun and scheduled release domains will receive the update in early January 2023. As always, there may be a 15-day window before you see the update, and that is if you have an eligible upcoming account has .
It’s available to Google Workspace Business Standard/Plus, Enterprise Standard/Plus, Education Standard/Plus, and Nonprofit account holders, which means many Essentials-branded Workspace accounts and personal accounts will have to make do with manual formatting for now, which bad news for hobbyists and programmers who fly solo and don’t want to pay for an unnecessarily high Workspace subscription.