The new purple squiggle in Google Docs flags ‘potentially inappropriate words’

If you begin to see purple squiggles underlining what you’re typing in a Google Docs document, don’t worry: That’s just Google trying to be helpful. Here’s what the purple squiggle in Google Docs means.

Google said Thursday that it’s adding stylistic suggestions to Google Docs within Google Workspace, designed to “help elevate your writing style and make more dynamic, clear, inclusive, and concise documents,” according to a blog post Google issued on Thursday. Actual errors will be highlighted in red, while the new suggestions will receive the new purple squiggle.

“You’ll see suggestions when there are opportunities to structure a sentence with an active voice or when a sentence can be more concise, helping to make your writing more impactful,” Google said. “Potentially discriminatory or inappropriate language will be flagged, along with suggestions on how to make your writing more inclusive and appropriate for your audience.”

Like Google’s existing suggestions, you’ll have the option to either accept or reject the suggested language. These suggestions will be on by default, though you’ll have the option to turn it off as well.

Specifically, Google will suggest alternate wording, including the use of the active voice, making sentence structure more concise, plus encouraging you to use more inclusive language and avoid potentially inappropriate words. In this Google lags well behind Microsoft, which first suggested these within Ideas in 2019, then began incorporating them into Editor.

Like Microsoft, these new features will be aimed at paid customers as away to encourage them to use paid plans. They’ll begin rolling out on March 31 for Rapid Release domains and on April 14 for those who use Scheduled Release. If you or your workplace uses Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus , you’ll see them then. Otherwise, they won’t be available to those on Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers, Google said. https://www.pcworld.com/article/628701/the-new-purple-squiggle-in-google-docs-flags-potentially-inappropriate-words.html

Created 3y | Apr 1, 2022, 5:20:34 PM


Login to add comment

Other posts in this group

Reolink Altas security camera launches with 10-second pre-recording–see before motion happens
Jun 16, 2025, 11:20:06 AM | pcworld.com
Microsoft is still ignoring the AI PCs that actually matter
Jun 16, 2025, 11:20:05 AM | pcworld.com
7 apps that helped me conquer my crippling procrastination
Jun 16, 2025, 11:20:05 AM | pcworld.com
PC gamers are panic-buying Windows 11 Pro
Jun 15, 2025, 9:40:06 AM | pcworld.com
Going to play the stock market? This app is a must.
Jun 15, 2025, 9:40:05 AM | pcworld.com
9 menial tasks ChatGPT can handle in seconds, saving you hours
Jun 14, 2025, 3:20:02 PM | pcworld.com