Google Docs, Sheets, Slides Get Material You Redesign: Slight Difference for the Apps

The much-anticipated Google Workspace redesigns are beginning to roll out, and longtime users will likely notice some changes. The toolbars for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides have all been updated to reduce clutter and give the apps a more modern look while improving the user experience.

A Refreshed Look for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

According to the story by 9to5Google, to modernize the look of its productivity suite, Google has begun rolling out updated designs for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides inspired by its recently unveiled Material You style.

All three apps now feature a newly designed toolbar with a longer, more pill-shaped design and reduced clutter, per Google. The toggle buttons for font sizes, previously four individual buttons, have been condensed to a dropdown menu and a single plus or minus sign.

Improved Aesthetics and Functionality with Google's Material You-Inspired Updates

In addition to these structural changes, the toolbar and within-document comment boxes have now been painted light blue, which matches the look of Gmail's own Material You design.

The recent introduction of Google's Material You-inspired updates to their suite of web apps - Docs, Sheets, and Slides - has presented consumers with aesthetic changes and functional tweaks. The most noteworthy of the changes is the redesigned toolbar, which has been slimmed down to a thinner pill shape.

Google Docs Redesign Simplifies Toolbar Functionality

Additionally, the font size buttons now have plus and minus buttons to adjust quickly and conveniently. Regarding individual apps, Google Docs has condensed the four alignment buttons in the toolbar to a single dropdown menu to reduce clutter.

In contrast, Sheets' toolbar hasn't experienced much of a makeover. Another notable aspect of the redesign is that all icons have an outlined edge rather than a solid fill, and the Meet button has also been repurposed to an outline.

New Light Blue Shade Unifies Google Workspace with Gmail's Redesign

Furthermore, the document edit time has been replaced by a textless button in the top-right corner. The in-document comments have been updated with a modern blue shade. The redesign is already live for Google Workspace users.

It's worth mentioning that the introduction of Google's signature shade of light blue unifies the look of the apps with Gmail's own Material You redesign, which may be a pro or con, depending on your creative preference.

Increased Function and Improved Aesthetics: What the Material You Update Offers

The Material You-inspired web redesign by Google does a great job of updating the look of the web apps. As Google continues to refine the update for a wider user base, workspaces worldwide will benefit from the balance of improved function and aesthetics.

The update isn't just good news for Google, as suite users can now enjoy a cleaner and more modern look for their projects. The toolbar is thicker and easier to interact with, and the redesigned comment boxes inject a much-needed spark into how feedback is delivered.

This Material You updates ramp up the already-robust nature of Google's suite, allowing users to create and collaborate on projects faster and with more enjoyable aesthetics.