Are you a frequent Google Docs user? Have you always wanted your Docs list to be visible to you in your inbox? Well, today is your lucky day, there’s a Google Lab for that!
The ‘Google Docs Gadget’ Lab gives you the power to:
- Access/View recently created & recently edited docs
- Access/View Starred Docs
- Perform a search for a document in your docs list
- *Note the search will be performed on the first 100 titled documents. You do have the ability to access ‘All Docs,’ this will be pointed out later in the post.
- Quickly create a new Document, Spreadsheet, Presentation, Form, Drawing, or choose from a template
To enable this lab, click on the gear in the upper right hand corner of your inbox and select ‘Mail Settings.’ Next, locate and click on the the ‘Labs’ tab. A list of already enabled labs (if applicable) and disabled labs will appear. Scroll down until you see the lab titled ‘Google Docs Gadget’ and click the radio button next to ‘Enable.’ Remember to click ‘Save Changes’ at either the top or the bottom of the page to ensure the lab has been turned on. Your inbox will refresh once the lab has been turned on and enabled.
After taking the steps above, the ‘Google Docs Gadget’ will appear on the left hand side of your inbox underneath your chat list (unless you have enabled the ‘Right Side Chat’ lab).
Notice the sections pointed out above. You have the ability to search for documents that are in your docs list by typing in the title of the document or specific keywords. This search will only be performed on the first 100 document titles that are on your Docs list. If you wish to view additional/all documents, simply click on ‘All Docs’ and your Docs list will open up in a new window for easy viewing.
Also, take a look at the ‘Show’ & ‘New’ section. When you click on ‘Show,’ you will be prompted to choose between documents ‘Opened by me,’ ‘Owned by me,’ and ‘Starred.’
The ‘New’ section allows you to quickly create a new document, spreadsheet, form, presentation, or drawing. This ‘new’ document will open as a new tab within your Google Chrome browser.
Will you be turning on this lab or recommending it to your fellow colleagues? Let us know in the comments section below!