Google Docs, which is part of Google Workspace, supports non-contiguous text selection, which means you can select multiple pieces of text from different parts of a document. The ability to select non-contiguous text saves steps and avoids repetitive processes.
For example, consider the task of copying 20 sections of text scattered across a document. The process is simple: select text, copy and paste. For 20 sections of text select-copy-paste 20 separate times.
With the ability to select non-contiguous text in Google Docs, select sections of text 20 times and copy and paste once. The change is subtle, but significant.
TO SEE: Google Workspace Cheat Sheet: Complete Guide to 2022 (TechRepublic)
How to Select Disjointed Text in a Google Doc
To select non-contiguous blocks of text, I usually use the Ctrl key (or, on macOS, the command key) and a trackpad or mouse.
First, select a word, paragraph, or other section of text as usual — double-click/tap to select a word, triple-click/tap to select a paragraph, or click/tap-drag to select a select part of your document. That step selects your first chunk.
Then hold down the Ctrl key (in macOS, use the command key) and select your next segment, again using double-click/tap, triple-click/tap, or click/tap and drag. Repeat this step as many times as necessary to select all desired portions of text.
5 Things You Can Do With Selected Disjointed Text
After you select non-contiguous text, you can perform many standard actions. The steps below assume you’re using Google Docs in Chrome on a desktop or laptop computer.
Apply formatting
Once selected, you can change the formatting for your selected text:
- Change the font or font size
- Add bold, italics, underline, or highlight
- Change the color
Access all these options from the Google Docs menu, or explore additional formatting options in the Format | Text menu. These less commonly used settings include strikethrough, superscript, subscript, or capitalization (eg, lowercase, UPPERCASE, or Title Case).
In addition, you can apply a variety of styles suitable for paragraphs. Change “Plain Text” to “Heading 2”, “Title” or another paragraph style. If you’ve selected entire paragraphs, it’s a great way to change alignment, add numbering, or turn text into a checklist — among many other options.
Keep in mind, though, that paragraph formatting applies to entire paragraphs, so any paragraph in which you’ve selected words will be affected by paragraph changes. Make sure your text selection matches the parts of your document you want to change.
Add a link
The insertion | The Link command allows you to add a link to all selected text. For example, in marketing materials, you want to make sure that every mention of a product name links to a product page. You can select multiple instances of the product name, choose Insert | Link once and paste the link. This way you add the link once, instead of adding it repeatedly.
Comment — or add an Emoji comment
Selecting non-contiguous also allows you to add a comment that applies to different bits of text. Select text, choose Insert | Reply and then add your comment. When added in this way, the comment will appear as linked to any selected section of text. For those of you who prefer to comment graphically, the Insert | Emoji reaction works the same way, showing emoji in association with selected text.
To copy
Select your text sections and then choose the Edit | Copy command. This will copy all of the selected text so that you can then paste it elsewhere. For example, you can select key portions of text in one Google Doc and then paste them into a separate Google Doc. When copying, each selected word, sequence of words, and paragraph is pasted onto separate lines.
Save to keep
Choose Save to Save to add all selected portions of text to a new Google Keep note. Save to keep, however, is only available with the right mouse button (or tap the menu with two fingers). To access it, after you’ve selected all the items you want, hold your cursor over one of the selected text segments and right-click (or, on a touchpad, tap with two fingers). This will open a menu from which you can select “Save to keep” along with a few other options.
Importantly, the cursor position matters when you do this. If the position is outside any of the selected text segments, the items are no longer selected. Make sure the cursor stays on one of the selected segments.
TO SEE: Google Docs Tips for Advanced Users (Tech Republic Premium)
What is your experience?
People who are used to selecting non-contiguous cells in Google Sheets will be happy that non-contiguous text selection now works in Google Docs. In either case, the ability to select multiple items and then respond to all selected items at once is a welcome refinement to the workflow.
What kinds of tasks do you most often perform with non-adjacent text selection? Have you tried the technique of extracting text sections from one document to another – or to a Google Keep note? Or do you rely on this process to streamline the formatting of text in headings or other parts of your document?
Let me know how non-contiguous text selection affects how you select and work with text in Google Doc by reaching out on Twitter @awolber†
