You can now add tabs to organize your Google Docs files

Google has announced a new feature for its Docs users. Those who edit their files with the web editor will now see a new Document Tabs feature. The feature builds on the existing Document Outline feature, which primarily deals with headings. The new feature allows users to add tabs to their Google Docs documents, making them a lot easier to view, edit, and organize. The feature was first announced along with several other AI-enhanced features at Google’s Cloud Next 2024 event held in April this year.

Google Docs finally has started the rollout for a new feature called Document Tabs. The tool is only available in the web editor and was previously called ‘Show overview’. Once updated on the server side, a user will see a new option called ‘Show Tabs and Outlines’.

Once selected, you’ll get a column on the left that allows you to add tabs (or sections) to an existing Docs document. Besides adding additional functionality, the new feature also allows users to visualize the entire document in a better way, allowing them to view its entire structure (including tabs and sub-tabs). The tab system also naturally helps the user navigate through the document more easily.

Users will first see a ‘Tab 1’, after which they can add additional tabs and customize these tabs and also add sub-tabs. According to Google, tabs can also be linked. Because tabs are essentially links, users can even share links to specific tabs instead of sharing an entire document. Finally, emoji can also be used for tab headings.

Although the rollout of the Document Tabs feature has already begun, Google claims it may take up to 15 days for the feature to be visible to some users. During the full rollout, which will take place from October 21, 2024, the feature will only take 1-3 days to appear. The feature is visible to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts.