How to use AI in Google Docs?

1. Writing Something New (Generating Content)

This is useful when you're starting a new document or a new section and need some initial text.

Step 1: Open Google Docs. Go to docs.google.com and open an existing document or create a new one.

Step 2: Place your cursor. Click anywhere in your document where you want the AI to generate text.

Step 3: Access the "Help me write" feature.

You'll typically see a "Help me write" button or a wand icon near where you click, or at the top of the document. Click it.

Step 4: Enter your prompt. A pop-up or sidebar will appear where you can type a description of what you want the AI to write. Be as specific as possible for better results.

Examples:

"Write a cover letter for a marketing associate position."

"Draft a social media post about our new product launch."

"Generate a short story about a talking cat."

"Create an event plan for a community clean-up drive."

Step 5: Click "Create" (or similar button). The AI will generate a draft based on your prompt.

Step 6: Review and Refine (Optional but Recommended):

The generated text will appear. You'll often have options to:

Give feedback: "Good suggestion" or "Bad suggestion."

Edit your prompt: Click the prompt at the top to refine your request and regenerate.

Refine the suggested text: Look for options like "Refine," which might give you choices to

Change Tone: Make it "Formal" or "Casual."

Summarize: Get the key points.

Bulletize: Turn it into a bulleted list.

Elaborate: Add more details.

Shorten: Make it more concise.

Rephrase: Reword sentences.

Retry: Generate a completely new version.

Step 7: Insert the text. Once you're satisfied, click "Insert" to add the generated text into your document.

2. Rewriting Existing Text (Modifying Content):

This is great for improving clarity, tone, or conciseness of text you've already written.

Step 1: Open Google Docs.

Step 2: Select the text. Highlight the specific paragraph, sentence, or section you want the AI to rewrite.

Step 3: Access the "Help me write" feature. Right-click the selected text or look for the "Help me write" button/wand icon that appears

.

Step 4: Choose a refining option. A menu will appear with options to modify the text. Common options include:

Rephrase: Reword the text.

Shorten: Make it more concise.

Elaborate: Add details.

More formal/More casual: Adjust the tone.

Bulletize: Turn it into a bulleted list.

Summarize: Get the main points.

Modify with a prompt: Write your own custom prompt for how you want the text rewritten.

Step 5: Review and choose. The AI will generate the rewritten text. You'll typically have options to:

Replace: Replace the original text with the AI's suggestion.

Insert: Add the AI's suggestion below the original text.

Close: Discard the suggestion and keep your original text.

You can also refine the generated text further, similar to when generating new content.

General Tips for Using AI in Google Docs:

• Be Specific with Prompts: The more detailed and clear your prompt is, the better the AI's output will be.

• Iterate and Refine: Don't expect perfect results on the first try. Use the refining options to guide the AI and get closer to what you need.

• Review Critically: AI is a tool to assist, not to replace. Always review the generated text for accuracy, tone, and overall quality. Make sure it aligns with your intent and voice.

• Consider Context: The AI in Google Docs is designed to understand the context of your document, which can lead to more relevant suggestions.

• Experiment: Play around with different prompts and refining options to see what works best for various writing tasks.