Google Docs and Sheets Users Get Add-On Tools

Google (GOOG) this week has launched "add-on" capabilities to its Docs and Sheets in Google Drive, enabling users to access more features with tools provided by the cloud giant's developer community.

Google announced add-ons in a blog post. Users can access these tools through a new store that enables them to browse and install add-ons without leaving the Google Doc that they are using. The store is launched from a new menu tab in the doc.

Some examples provided by Google include tools to import data to create address labels, format citations and personalize email marketing messages.

Google plans to make more than 50 add-ons available at launch — each built by developers using Google Apps Scripts, a server-side JavaScript platform.

While adds-ons are now available in the developer-preview phase, Google Apps Team Technical Writer Dan Lazin noted in a follow-up post that the tools and APIs are available to everyone. The only restriction is on final publication to the store.

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