New ways to annotate Google Docs

What’s changing

We’re excited to announce a new feature, markups in Google Docs, which gives you more flexibility when providing feedback in a document. The new markups experience lets you add handwritten annotations to documents with a stylus or your finger when using an Android device. 

Markups can be useful in numerous scenarios, such as: 
  • Colleagues giving each other handwritten feedback on diagrams, charts, reports or proposals. 
  • Educators giving students feedback on their essays, reports, short stories and more. 
  • A homeowner providing ideas or updates on construction plans from their contractor. 
In order to add annotations, you must use an Android device. From there, you can: 
  • Enter the markups mode and annotate using pen or highlighter tools 
  • Hide/show markups 
  • Erase markups 
  • Insert suggested markups 
Markups on Android


On iOS devices, you can: 
  • View a document with markups 
  • Delete markups 
  • Hide/show markups 
markups on iOS

On desktop, you can: 
  • View a document with markups 
  • Delete markups 
  • Hide/show markups 
markups on desktop

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: To turn on markups, open a document > select the markups tool from the contextual toolbar > draw with your finger or stylus. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts