Google Docs and Slides Menu Updates

January 24, 2018

Based on usage data and your feedback, Google is making some changes to the menus and toolbars in Google Docs and Slides on the web. These are similar to some previous changes they made in early January. Among other things, these changes include:

To add a line or page break in Docs:

To add Alt text to a shape in Docs or Slides:

  • Before: Select shape > Format > Alt text. This option will be removed from the menu.
  • After: Right click on shape > Alt text. This is the new way to add alt text to a shape.
  • See Help Center for more details: Make your document or presentation accessible.

To change a shape in Slides:

  • Before: Select shape > Format > Change shape. This option will be removed from the menu.
  • After: Right click on shape > Change shape. This is the new way to change a shape.

The HTML view in Slides is being removed from the menu:

These changes will only affect the visual menu. All options will still be available via keyboard shortcuts and the search box in the Help menu. The changes will start to roll out on the UMICH domain beginning February 1, 2018.