After adding emoji replies to Google Docs a few months ago, the firm is now making it easy to incorporate them in your real document as well. It revealed today a new shortcut that allows you to instantly enter an emoji while writing, eliminating the need to use your computer’s picker or copy and paste icons from other locations.
The new system provides numerous methods for accessing emojis, which Google outlines in this helpful post. The most basic is to just enter “@[emoji name],” and typing “@emoji” will bring up a searchable emoji picker, similar to the one on your phone.
You may alternatively use “@:[emoji name],” which is the quickest and most reliable technique in my experience. Typing the emoji name immediately after the @ symbol will often bring up additional features or urge me to mention a coworker, so typing the colon is simply quicker.
According to Google, this capability will be available to select users today and will be available to everyone by the end of September. And, in case you’re wondering, it seems to support the latest recent emoji.
