Google has announced a new feature to make it easier for developers to collaborate and share code in word processing software.
Initially announced in the company road map (opens in a new tab)the company explained that users can now paste code into a Google Docs document and then manually apply styles, highlighting syntax, indentation, newlines, and spaces.
While this has long been possible, it has not drawn developers to Google Workspace, but as more and 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 follow Put in > Bricks > Code block menu to automatically format the highlighted text, or use the “@” shortcut to find a code block.
It is also configured to work with markdown, where users will be able to open the formatting by typing “` followed by enter. Other markdowns include, for example, a combination of asterisks and underscores for italics and bold.
Google says it’s working with industry standards to make coding more readable, giving you a handy boost to collaborate where others don’t office applications fail. Screenshot on company website (opens in a new tab) shows the availability of C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python and the final Unset option.
Rollout to Rapid Release domains has already started, with scheduled update domains expected to receive the update in early January 2023. As always, there may be a 15-day period before you see the update if you have an eligible account.
It’s available to Google Workspace Business Standard/Plus, Enterprise Standard/Plus, Education Standard/Plus, and Nonprofit account holders, meaning many Workspace and Essentials-branded personal accounts will have to make do with manual formatting, at least for now , which is bad news for hobbyists and solo developers who don’t want to pay for an unnecessarily high Workspace subscription.