Use the Writer sidebar

Writer is where you run research and writing. Type a prompt, pick your options, then click Run to insert the result into your Google Doc.

How do I open Writer?

1. Open a Google Doc.
2. Go to Extensions and open AI for Docs.
3. Click 🚀 Launch.
4. In the sidebar, select the Writer tab if it is not already selected.

What do the Writer options do?

• Enable web search: Pulls sources from the web and adds a citations section to your output.
• Deep research: Runs multiple web searches and writes using research notes. It is slower and uses more credits.
• Generate Images: Adds a thumbnail and section images for long-form drafts. Learn more in Generate images in your document.

Where does the output go?

AI for Docs appends the generated content to the end of your document. After you click Run, scroll to the bottom to find the inserted draft.

How do I write prompts that format well in Google Docs?

Ask for headings, bullet lists, numbered steps, and tables. AI for Docs converts the structure into Docs formatting when it inserts the content.

Prompt examples

Deep research: <topic>
Return:
- A clear outline first
- A publish-ready draft with H2 headings
- A comparison table
- A checklist at the end
- Citations

Write an SEO blog post about "<topic>" for <audience>.
Requirements:
- Use short paragraphs
- Include 5 FAQs
- Add a "Key takeaways" section
- Cite sources

For help understanding sources, see How citations work. For credits and usage limits, see Credits and usage limits.