Anthropic now offers two official ways to work on a Google Doc with Claude: a sidebar add-on inside Docs, and a connector that edits Docs from claude.ai. Both are in beta, so menus may still change.
- Install the Claude add-on for Google Docs
- Rewrite and edit from the sidebar
- Edit a Google Doc from claude.ai
- Send Claude responses to Google Docs on any plan
What’s official
Anthropic documents the add-on in Use Claude in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. At the time of writing:
- It’s called Claude for Google Workspace and is in beta for Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans.
- One install covers Docs, Sheets and Slides.
- It sees only the file you open it in, not the rest of your Drive, Gmail or Calendar.
- It’s separate from Claude in Chrome and from the Google Workspace connectors in claude.ai.
Installing the Claude add-on for Google Docs
Use this when you want Claude inside the document you’re already editing.
- Open the Claude listing on the Google Workspace Marketplace and click Install.
- Choose the Google account you use for Docs, click Continue, review the permissions and click Allow.
- Reload any open Google Docs.
- In a doc, go to Extensions > Claude > Open Claude.
- Sign in with your Claude account in the sidebar.
Result: A Claude sidebar opens beside your document.
Tip: Press Alt + / on Windows or Option + / on Mac and type “Claude” to find the menu item fast.
If Install is greyed out or you see “This application is not allowed by your administrator”, your Google Workspace admin must allowlist or install Claude first.
Editing a Google Doc from the Claude sidebar
Use this when you want Claude to rewrite, shorten or restructure text without copying it anywhere.
- Optionally select the text you want changed.
- Type a request, such as “Rewrite the summary so it leads with the recommendation”.
- Claude shows a permission card describing the edit. In the video, it offers Allow once, Always allow and Deny.
- Approve the edit, then check the result in the doc.
Result: Claude edits the doc in place. Google records the change under your name in version history.
Choosing how much Claude asks first
The mode selector at the bottom of the sidebar has two settings:
| Mode | What happens |
|---|---|
| Ask before edits (default) | Claude describes each change and waits for Allow |
| Accept all edits | Ordinary edits go through without stopping |
Even in Accept all edits, Claude pauses before adding links, inserting web images or changing access. The video ends by switching back to Ask before edits, so you review changes one at a time.
Note: Claude’s edits land as direct edits, not Google Docs suggestions. You can ask it to propose text changes as cards you accept or reject one by one.
Editing a Google Doc from the Claude chat
Use this when you’re already working in claude.ai and want the result to be a Google Doc.
- In claude.ai, click the + in the message box, hover over Connectors and turn on the Google Docs connector.
- Paste a Google Docs link, or ask for a new one by name, such as “Create a Google Doc with this plan”.
- The doc opens in a pane beside the chat, where you and Claude can edit at the same time.
Result: Claude edits the real Google Doc. Asking for a “doc” without saying Google creates a Claude doc instead.
The live pane works on the web in Chrome and in Claude Desktop with the built-in browser on. This feature is also in beta; see Use Google Workspace connectors.
Sending Claude responses to Google Docs on any plan
Use this when you don’t have a paid plan, or the content is already in a chat.
- Claude Docs: Ask Claude to turn the chat into a doc, then click Export > Google Docs. Claude Docs is on every plan, including Free.
- Our extension: Claude to PDF, Word and Google Docs, made by the team behind Merge Docs Pro, sends a response or a whole chat to a new Google Doc with tables and math intact. The video’s last chapter shows this workaround.
Full steps for both are in how to export a Claude chat to PDF, Word or Google Docs.
Comparing the methods
| Method | Best for | Works on |
|---|---|---|
| Claude add-on (sidebar) | Editing the doc you’re in | Chrome, Edge, Safari |
| Docs connector in claude.ai | Creating or editing Docs from a chat | Chrome web, Claude Desktop |
| Claude Docs export or extension | Getting chat content into Docs on any plan | Browser |
Limits of the Claude add-on
- Word files: It doesn’t run in .docx files opened in Docs. Use File > Save as Google Docs first; our guide to Word to Google Docs covers the conversion.
- Comments and suggestions: It can’t read, reply to or resolve comments, or accept existing suggestions.
- Tabs: It can edit every tab’s content but can’t create, rename or reorder tabs.
- One file only: It can’t open other files or export the doc as a PDF. Use Google Docs’ own PDF export for that.
- Chat history: Saved per file in your browser. It won’t follow you to another browser or a copy of the doc.
Troubleshooting Claude in Google Docs
- Claude isn’t in the Extensions menu: Reload the doc. Check you’re signed in with the Google account the add-on was installed for.
- Nothing happens when you send a message: Firefox isn’t supported in the beta. Switch to Chrome, Edge or Safari.
- Every action fails: Your browser may be signed in to several Google accounts. Use a window or Chrome profile with only one.
- Task stops partway: Google limits one operation to six minutes. Ask Claude to continue, or work in smaller sections.
Use Word instead? See how to use Claude in Microsoft Word. For equations, writing math equations in Google Docs covers the built-in editor. Browse the AI chats and documents hub for more.