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8 Ways to Insert Emojis in Google Docs

Key Takeaways 
  • Google Docs allows you to add emojis to the document or add them as reactions or comments.
  • You must open the emoji panel in most cases before you can add an emoji.

Method 1: Using the Menus Search Feature

You can add an emoji to your Google Docs file with a simple keyboard shortcut. This is a simple tip for using the service. Here’s how to do so:

Step 1: Open your Google Docs.

Step 2: Open the specific file and place your cursor where you want to insert the emoji.

Step 3: On your keyboard, hold down the Alt + / keys simultaneously to launch a menu.

Launching the menu feature

Step 4: Within the search bar of the menu, type emoji.

Step 5: Select Insert emoji from the menu shown. This will launch the emoji tray on your Google Doc writing canvas.

emoji within the menu search

Step 6: Select your preferred emoji from the tray.

Selecting the preferred emoji

Method 2: Using the Emoji Tag (@emoji)

The @ symbol is another way to insert emojis in Google Docs. Here’s how to do so:

Step 1: Open your Google Docs.

Step 2: Open the specific file and place your cursor where you want to insert the emoji.

Step 3: Type @emoji to launch a menu.

Step 4: Select the Emoji option from the menu. This will launch the emoji tray on your Google Doc writing canvas.

using the @emoji option

Step 5: Select your preferred emoji from the tray.

Selecting preffered emoji

Method 3: Using the Insert Menu

The Insert menu offers many options, including one for emojis. Here is how to use it.

Step 1: Open your Google Docs.

Step 2: Open the specific file and place your cursor where you want to insert the emoji.

Step 3: On the Google Docs Ribbon, click the Insert tab.

insert menu on Docs

Step 4: From the Insert tab, click the Emoji option. This will launch the emoji tray on your Google Doc writing canvas.

 insert emoji option

Step 5: Select your preferred emoji from the tray.

Emoji selection from the tray

Method 4: Using Special Characters

Using the Insert tab, you can also add emojis to your document using the special characters option. Here’s how to do so:

Step 1: Open your Google Docs.

Step 2: Open the specific file and place your cursor where you want to insert the emoji.

Step 3: On the Google Docs Ribbon, click the Insert tab.

insert menu on Docs

Step 4: From the Insert tab, click the Special Characters option. This will launch the special characters tray on your Google Doc writing canvas.

Special Characters option

Step 5: Click the first drop-down menu on the Insert special characters tray and select Emoji.

Selecting Emoji from dropdown

Step 6: Select your preferred emoji from the tray.

Method 5: From the Context Menu as a Reaction

The context menu is a pop-up menu that provides shortcuts for features or actions within Google Docs. This case contains a shortcut for inserting emoji reactions in a Google Docs file. Here’s how to access it:

Step 1: Open your Google Docs.

Step 2: Open the file you want to work on and select the text you want to react to.

Step 3: Right-click on the canvas to launch the context menu.

Step 4: Select Insert emoji reaction from the options shown. This will launch the emoji tray on your Google Doc writing canvas.

Insert emoji reaction

Step 5: Select your preferred emoji reaction from the tray.

Selecting preffered emoji

Method 6: From the Side Panel as a Reaction

On the right page margin of the Google Docs file is a side menu where you can select an option to insert emoji reactions to highlighted text. Here’s how to access it:

Step 1: Open your Google Docs.

Step 2: Open the file you want to work on and select the text you want to react to. This will reveal a side menu.

Select text for reaction

Step 3: Click the emoji icon. This will launch the emoji tray on your Google Doc writing canvas.

how to insert emojis in google docs 11

Step 4: Select your preferred emoji reaction from the tray.

Emoji tray for reactions

Method 7: Add an Emoji as a Comment

Step 1: Open Google Docs in your preferred browser and sign in with your details.

Step 2: Open your desired file.

Step 3: Hover your cursor on the comment you would like to react to until you see the emoji symbol beside it.

Comment emoji symbol

Step 4: Click the emoji symbol to launch the emoji tray.

Emoji tray

Step 5: Select your preferred emoji from the tray.

Method 8: Using Emoji Picker on Mac and Windows

This method is not unique to Google Docs, but it will help you add emojis to any file you use. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Open Google Docs in your preferred browser.

Step 2: Open your desired file.

Step 3: On a Windows computer, press Windows + . (Period) or on a Mac, press Control + Command + Space > select your preferred emoji.

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Last updated on 27 August, 2024

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