How to Use Antidote in Google Docs

Many people write with Google Docs. This comes as no surprise; the application is free, accessible and compatible with Antidote. To revise your texts with your favourite writing assistance software, you must install an additional extension and meet certain conditions. Then, you’ll be able to use Antidote directly where you write!

Prerequisites

Before you run your text through Antidote’s corrector, make sure you meet the following four conditions:

You have access to Antidote.
You can use Antidote 11, Antidote 10 or Antidote Web.

You are using the same account for Google Chrome and Google Docs.
In most cases, you are automatically signed into the same account in the Google Chrome browser and Google Docs. If needed, you can change this.

You have installed the Antidote Connector for Google Chrome.
You probably already installed the Antidote Connector for Google Chrome when installing Antidote onto your computer, or when using Antidote Web with this browser.

If not, you can easily find and install the extension from the Chrome Web Store.

You have installed the Antidote Connector for Google Documents.
The Antidote Connector for Google Documents must be manually added to the Google Docs application. Here’s how:

1. In Google Docs, click Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons.
2. In the Google Workspace Marketplace window that automatically opens, type “Antidote” in the search bar and select Antidote Connector for Google Documents.
3. Click Install and follow the instructions to accept the conditions.
4. Quit and reopen Google Chrome.

Launch Antidote in Google Docs

You must start the Antidote Connector for Google Documents for each file you open. Click on Extensions > Antidote Connector for Google Documents > Start. The Antidote toolbar will appear in the sidebar.

Once this is done, continue as usual! You can run your text through the corrector by clicking the green checkmark. Handle detections and make the necessary changes. The changes are automatically applied in the original document. You can now write in Google Docs while taking advantage of all of Antidote’s tools!

FAQ

Is Antidote compatible with Google Docs?

Yes, using these two connectors:

1. The Antidote Connector for Google Chrome, available in the Chrome Web Store
2. The Antidote Connector for Google Documents, available in the Google Workspace Marketplace

Is Antidote compatible with other Google formats, like Google Sheets and Google Slides?

No, only the Google Documents format is supported.

What is the difference between Google Docs and Google Documents?

Google Docs refers to the online application and Google Documents is the file format used by this application.

Troubleshooting

I added both connectors, but I don’t see Antidote’s toolbar in Google Docs.

You must start the Antidote extension for each Google Documents file you open. Click Extensions > Antidote Connector for Google Documents > Start. The Antidote toolbar will then appear in the sidebar.

I get an error message in the Antidote toolbar when I launch corrector, the dictionaries or the guides.

Make sure you are using the same account for Google Docs and Google Chrome. If needed, switch accounts in Google Chrome.

There is no “Extensions” menu in my document.

You document probably has the Word file format (.docx). You must convert it to the Google Documents file format to use extensions, including the Antidote extension.

Click File > Save as Google Docs. This provides you a copy of your file that can be used with Antidote in Google Docs.