The idea behind the new features is to personalize the app further and help users get things done faster, right within the platform itself.
Google announced on Tuesday that it will integrate a range of new Gemini-based AI features into its cloud applications, including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive.
These features allow users to quickly create fully formatted first drafts, presentation slides, and spreadsheets based on information retrieved from their Gmail, Chat, and Drive.
The new tools are designed to personalize the experience and help users get things done faster, right within these platforms, without having to switch to separate tools or chatbots.
A new tool called “Help me create” in Docs lets users describe what they want to create, and Gemini will follow the instructions, gathering information from Drive, Gmail, and Chat to generate a first draft. For example, you could ask Gemini to “compose a newsletter for the neighborhood association based on the minutes of the January HOA meeting and the list of upcoming events.”
After you have the first draft, Gemini can help you edit specific sections without having to recreate the entire document. You can also use the “Help me write” tool to improve clarity or add details as needed.
Additionally, if multiple people are editing a draft with different styles and tones, you can use the new “Match writing style” feature to unify the document's writing style. Gemini will suggest edits to ensure a consistent tone and style throughout the draft.
Docs also includes a “Match the format” tool that lets you copy the structure and style of another document. For example, if you find a travel itinerary template you like, Gemini can automatically fill in your trip information by retrieving data from emails such as flight confirmations, hotel bookings, and car rentals.
Regarding Sheets, Google says Gemini is evolving from a work tool into a true collaboration partner. With just one request, Gemini will aggregate relevant data from Gmail, Chat, and Drive to quickly create a fully formatted spreadsheet.
For example, you could ask Gemini to “organize my upcoming move to Chicago. Create a room-by-room packing checklist, a contact list for utility services, and a spreadsheet to track moving company quotes from my inbox.”
For more complex tasks, you can use the “Fill with Gemini” tool to populate tables faster. This feature can create custom text, categorize and summarize data, or retrieve real-time information from Google Search.
Gemini will quickly add these items/services as soon as you start working.
For example, if you're managing college applications, you might have a spreadsheet that tracks all the application information. Instead of manually looking up each deadline, tuition, and other information for each school, you can simply title the columns for the necessary information, and then let Gemini automatically populate the spreadsheet by retrieving the relevant data from the web.
On Slides, Gemini can now create a complete, editable slide within your presentation, matching the overall theme and context from files, emails, and the web. If you're not happy with a slide, you can ask Gemini to adjust it, for example, to "synchronize the colors with the rest of the presentation" or "make this slide more minimalist."
In the future, Google says Slides will allow you to create a complete presentation with just one request, using relevant context as needed. For example, you'll be able to ask Gemini to "create a 5-slide presentation for my upcoming trip to Tokyo."
Google also announced that Drive will no longer just be a file storage location, but will become a more proactive partner. Now, when you search on Drive using natural language, Gemini will display an “AI Overview” at the top of the results, similar to Google Search. This overview will summarize the most relevant information from your files, and cite the sources, so you don't need to open each document to find the information.
The new “Ask Gemini in Drive” feature lets you ask complex questions across entire documents, emails, calendars, and the web. For example, you can select all your tax-related files and ask: “What should I ask my tax advisor before filing my taxes this year?” and receive detailed answers based on your actual data.
All of these new features will be rolled out in beta starting today, initially for Google AI Ultra and Pro subscribers. These features are currently available globally in English for Docs, Sheets, and Slides, and in the US for Drive.
Gemini transforms everyday tools into partners.