In an effort to enhance productivity and streamline workflows, Google has recently unveiled the "Help me write" feature as part of its Duet AI for Google Workspace initiative. This innovative tool aims to provide assistance with various writing tasks, while still valuing and preserving individual creativity and originality. Users who gained access to this feature through the Workspace Labs waitlist have already begun benefiting from its capabilities. In this article, we will explore how to use the tool effectively and provide valuable tips and tricks to maximize its potential.

The "Help me write" feature becomes immediately visible when you open a new Google Document, provided that you are part of the Labs beta program. By clicking the designated button within the document, you will encounter an animated typing space that continuously generates suggestions for the AI's potential assistance. These suggestions cover a wide range of writing tasks, including drafting blog posts, composing song lyrics, captioning social media posts, and creating formal letters, resumes, and cover letters. However, it's important to note that you are not limited to these suggestions and can freely type your own content.

To begin utilizing the feature, simply enter your request or prompt in the provided text box and click "Create." For instance, let's say you want to craft a captivating social media post about Chromebooks. The AI will generate a suitable caption along with relevant hashtags. If you are satisfied with the generated text, you can seamlessly insert it into your document by clicking the blue "Insert" button. However, if you wish to modify the text, you can click on the area where you originally typed, add specific details, and press enter to have the AI regenerate your response.

Furthermore, you have the option to click the "Refine" button, which allows you to request Docs to "Formalize," "Shorten," "Elaborate," or "Rephrase" the text. Although this feature is more limited and specific compared to the freedom provided by ChatGPT, it is also easier to use and more likely to be beneficial for regular users. By selecting these options, you can either make the text sound more professional and proper, shorten it to fit into a smaller space such as a Twitter post, add more details to elaborate on the content, or entirely rephrase it. While the last option appears similar to the "Recreate" button, further exploration is needed to fully understand its functionality.

Here's a valuable tip: once you have inserted the generated text and accepted it, it will be placed in your Google Doc for further editing. However, you may notice that the magic pencil icon remains on the left side of the document, wherever your cursor is placed. You can either insert more text generated by the AI in between your existing content or highlight the existing text and modify it using the "Help me write" feature. This allows for more enjoyable and effective use of the new feature.

It's worth noting that the AI does not seem to have contextual knowledge of the existing content in the document. Therefore, if you highlight existing text and request a modification, you may need to provide additional details about the subject matter. Although this limitation can be disappointing, it does not diminish the feature's overall potential.

Lastly, the most powerful aspect of this new Labs for Docs setup is the "Custom" entry section. By highlighting text and clicking the magic pencil icon on the left side of the document canvas, a text entry box labeled "Custom" will appear in a popup window. Here, you can enter highly specific commands for the AI, such as "sound more confident" or any other modifications you desire for the existing text.