As reported by The Verge, Google Docs is getting support for emoji reactions, allowing users to respond to the text with a simple symbol instead of a full written comment. The company said in an announcement that the feature supports all emojis in the latest version, including gender-neutral options and some new additions like melting faces and biting lips.
A Gif posted by Google shows that when users highlight text, the emoji reaction feature will appear as a third option next to “Add a comment” and “Suggest an edit.” Users can also search the emoji catalog by typing. Google said the responses provided “a less formal alternative to comments.”
Emoji reactions have become a staple of modern software, found in many messaging apps (iMessage, Facebook Messenger) and social networks (Facebook and Twitter, as part of limited testing). Emoji reactions will appear in Google Docs as the service gets a feature update and expands from a word processor to more remote work collaboration tools.
Other recently announced new Google Docs features include support for markdown, a new pageless layout, and the ability to seamlessly draft emails from within a document. Google says that emoji reactions will be enabled by default and cannot be disabled.
They’re rolling out now for fast-release domains, but after April 20, most Google Docs users will. They will apply to “Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus” users, excluding Enterprise Essentials, Education Fundamentals, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as G Suite Basic and Business, among others.
