This post will show you how to use distraction-free mode in Google Docs and Google Slides. You can hide all the menus (File, View, Format, Tools, Add-ons, etc.), side panel, view mode or thumbnails, share button, ruler, formatting options, etc. As a result, only the main content of your Google Docs/Google Slides document is visible which helps you focus better while writing.
You can also switch to dark mode in Google Docs or use different themes while using distraction-free mode. The zoom level can also be changed easily. Whenever you want to get back to normal mode, you can do that with a single click.
Natively, Google Docs, and Google Slides don’t come with such a feature. But you can do this using the Google Chrome browser and a free extension named ‘Distraction Free Mode’. This extension works for both Google Docs and Google Slides and steps are exactly the same.
In the image above, you can see Google Docs document in distraction-free mode.
Use Distraction Free Mode in Google Docs & Google Slides
To turn on the distraction-free mode in Google Slides and Google Docs, you need to follow these simple steps:
- Install Distraction Free Mode Chrome Extension
- Open a document in Google Docs or Google Slides
- Enter distraction-free mode using the given icon
- Change themes and zoom level
- Exit distraction-free mode.
First of all, you need to launch the Chrome browser, access this extension homepage, and install it. You can install it on Microsoft Edge too.
Once the extension is installed, open a document in Google Slides or Google Docs. Enter in distraction-free mode using the extension icon available just next to Star icon.
You will see that menus, side panel, ruler, and all other items are hidden. Only a clutter-free interface is there with the main content.
To change the theme, you can click on the icon available on the top left corner. A pop-up will open where you will see Sepia, Dark, Default, Midnight, and Paper themes. Just select a theme to use.
You can also use Set Zoom option in that pop-up and select a zoom level: 90%, 100%, 75%, 200%, 50%, etc.
To come back to the normal mode, simply use the same icon and press the Exit option available in that pop-up.
TIP: You can also add a watermark to a document in Google Docs.
That’s all.
You can hide menus and ruler manually in Google Docs and Slides, but then you have to show them again and again. This might annoy you; therefore, this extension is handy which lets you turn on/off distraction-free mode in Google Docs and Slides in a snap.
