Google Docs
Listen to a passage, adjust fonts and spacing, or review accessibility suggestions across document tabs.
Google Docs guide
Helperbird for Google Docs
A little help.
A world of words.
Reading, writing, and accessibility tools, right in your document. Listen to a passage, find a comfortable font, and give your next draft a thoughtful review.
Free tools for Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets.
Make yourself at home in
Google DocsGoogle SlidesGoogle SheetsReading tools
Reading.
Take it in, your way.
A long document. A new idea. A passage you want to hear again. Give yourself another way to read it.
Listen with Text to speech
Hear your selected text with your browser’s voices. Choose a voice, set the pace, and listen. You can also edit the text box or highlight just the words you want to hear.
Focus with Immersive Reader
Open selected text in Microsoft’s Immersive Reader for read aloud, line focus, and reading preferences.
Up to 1,200 characters per selection free. Pro supports longer selections.
Writing tools
Writing.
Give your words
a second look.
Hear how a draft sounds, explore a translation, and check the shape of your writing before you share it.
Translate, then choose
Compare the original and translated text in a preview. Replace your selection when you’re ready, or use Translate & replace in one step. Review the result and formatting afterward.
Get a clearer picture with Text statistics
Check word count, estimated reading time, and other useful measures. Change your selection and choose Recheck to take another look.
Hear your draft aloud
Use Text to speech as a fresh way to review your writing. Listen for a missing word or a sentence you’d like to change.
Accessibility tools
Accessibility.
Make room for
more readers.
Make text comfortable for yourself, and review details that can make your document easier for someone else to read.
Fonts and spacing that suit you
Choose fonts including Lexend and Atkinson Hyperlegible. Adjust text size and spacing in Docs and Slides, or cell layout and wrapping in Sheets.
A helpful check for Google Docs
Review your whole document, across all tabs, for small text, vague links, extended capitals, and long paragraphs. See suggestions with locations, then decide what to change.
These four checks are reading suggestions, not a complete accessibility audit. Review image descriptions, contrast, and reading order separately.
Docs. Slides. Sheets.
One familiar sidebar.
Three places to get things done.
Reading and text tools that fit the file you’re working on.
Google Slides
Select words, text boxes, groups, or table cells. Listen, translate, and adjust text for your presentation.
Google Slides guideGoogle Sheets
Work with cells and ranges. Listen to displayed values, translate text, and make longer entries fit.
Google Sheets guideMeet the Helperbird browser extension, too
More ways to
get your ideas going.
Add the Helperbird browser extension for voice typing, word prediction, and Screenshot Reader. These Pro tools are in the extension, installed separately from the Google Workspace add-on.
Voice typing Browser extension · Pro
Speak your
first draft.
Turn a spoken thought into text. Choose your language, start the microphone, and let the words come.
Explore voice typing
Screenshot Reader Browser extension · Pro
A picture
can speak, too.
Turn words and equations in an image into text you can use. Choose to listen, translate, copy, or save a note.
Explore Screenshot Reader
Word prediction Browser extension · Pro
A nudge toward
your next word.
See suggestions as you type on supported websites and in Google Docs. Listen to a suggestion, choose a word, and keep your thought moving.
Explore word prediction
Make it your own
A little more
to explore.
Build your own mix of reading, writing, and accessibility tools. Start free, then choose more support with Pro.
Meet the browser extensionReal Helperbird extension controls, shown on desktop. Tools and availability can vary by device and website.
- 1
Get the add-on
Install Helperbird from Google Workspace Marketplace. Your school or workplace may need to approve it.
- 2
Open your file
Head to a document, presentation, or spreadsheet.
- 3
Meet your tools
Choose Extensions → Helperbird → Open Helperbird.
A few useful details
Good to know.
Find your tools, choose your settings, and get back to your words.
Which tools are free?
Text to speech, Translate, Text settings, Text statistics, and the Google Docs Accessibility check work without a Pro key. Immersive Reader supports up to 1,200 characters per selection for free. Connect Helperbird Pro in Settings for longer selections.
Is this the same as the browser extension?
The add-on brings selected Helperbird tools into Google Workspace. Page tools such as reading rulers, color overlays, and auto-scroll are in the Helperbird browser extension. Word prediction and grammar support are also extension features; they are not part of this add-on.
Does Accessibility check fix my document?
It offers reading suggestions in Google Docs and leaves edits to you. Its four checks do not cover every accessibility need. Review image descriptions, contrast, and reading order separately.
What happens when I translate cells?
Sheets translation replaces only text cells in your selection. Formulas, numbers, dates, checkboxes, and empty cells are skipped. The preview shows a skipped-cell count so you can review it before replacing.
Can I listen to part of a cell?
Sheets gives add-ons the selected cells, including all their text. Load the cell into Text to speech, highlight the words you want in its text box, and press Play.
Can I use it with a school or work account?
Your administrator may need to approve or install the add-on. Start with the installation guide, or contact Helperbird support for help.
Your next great thought
starts with a little help.
Reading, writing, and accessibility.
At home in Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets.