Are you someone who frequently works with code and wants to document it in Google Docs? If so, then you might have faced some challenges in formatting the code blocks in the document. A poorly formatted code block can be difficult to read and comprehend. However, Google Docs offers several features that can help you format the code effectively. In this article, we will explore how to format code blocks in Google Docs.

Using the Code Block Option in Google Docs

Google Docs offers a built-in option for formatting code blocks. To use this option:

1. Open the Google Docs document where you want to insert the code block.
2. From the toolbar, click on “Insert.”
3. From the dropdown list, hover your cursor over “Special characters.”
4. Click on the “Code” option to insert a code block.

Inserting the code block will automatically change the font style to a monospace font and apply a grey or blue background to the block. You can now type or paste the code inside the block. Additionally, you also have the option to edit the code block’s size by selecting it and dragging the corners.

Using a Table for Code Blocks

Another way to format code blocks in Google Docs is by using a table. Follow the steps below to use a table:

1. Open the Google Docs document where you want to insert the code block.
2. Click on “Table” from the toolbar to add a table to the document.
3. Choose the number of rows and columns you need for your code block. Typically, 1 row and 1 column should be enough.
4. After inserting the table, select the “Insert Text Box” option from the “Table” dropdown menu.
5. Click on the table cell where you want to insert the text box and type or paste the code.

The text box allows you to customize the font style, size, and color, and you can also add a border around it. You can further customize the table by changing the background color, text, or border colors. You can also adjust the size of the table by dragging the corners.

Manually Formatting a Code Block

If you’re an advanced user or prefer a more customized approach, you can manually format the code block. Follow the steps below to manually format a code block:

1. Open the Google Docs document where you want to insert the code block.
2. Type or paste the code as plain text.
3. Change the font style to a monospaced font like Courier New or Consolas, which can be found on the “Font” dropdown menu.
4. Next, change the font size to 10-12 points for easy readability.
5. Finally, use the “Highlight” button in the toolbar to apply a background color to the block for improved readability.

Conclusion

Google Docs offers several ways to format code blocks, whether you prefer using the built-in “Code” option, tables or manually formatting the code blocks. You can choose the method which suits your needs and the formatting can be further customized, which will make your code blocks more accessible and easier to read. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand how to format code blocks in Google Docs.