In a long-awaited development, Google has introduced rich text formatting to the web version of Google Keep, aligning it with the Android version. This update is part of the latest release of Google Workspace features and is currently being rolled out gradually to all users, including both Workspace customers and personal Google account holders.
The web client of Google Keep now offers a variety of rich text formatting options that users have desired for years. These options include:
These features are available through a newly added underlined “A” icon in the note editor interface. Pressing this button brings up a formatting toolbar, enabling users to effortlessly style their notes.
While Google Keep has been a popular choice for quick note-taking and creating to-do lists, the absence of formatting tools in the web version has posed a considerable drawback—particularly for those who use the app for more elaborate or structured notations. Android users have enjoyed rich text formatting since 2023, and the lack of these features on the web resulted in an inconsistent experience.
This update closes that gap, ensuring a uniform experience across different platforms and enhancing Google Keep as a more effective tool for productivity and organization.
Based on Google’s Workspace blog update, the new formatting features are being rolled out to:
As the rollout has only just begun, users can anticipate seeing the new features in their accounts over the next few days or weeks.
To take advantage of the new formatting options in Google Keep on the web:
This straightforward addition greatly improves the functionality of Google Keep for activities such as meeting notes, project outlines, or personal journaling.
A lingering question is whether notes that are created or edited with formatting on Android will sync properly with the web version, maintaining their formatting. As noted by The Verge, Google has not yet provided clarity on whether existing formatted notes from mobile will display correctly on the web. This will likely become evident as the rollout advances.
This update follows a series of improvements to Google Keep over the previous year, including support for handwritten notes on stylus-compatible Android devices like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Motorola stylus phones. These updates indicate Google’s commitment to making Keep a formidable note-taking application across all platforms.
The introduction of rich text formatting to the web client of Google Keep is a welcomed and overdue enhancement. It increases the app’s versatility and moves it closer to feature equivalence with other note-taking applications such as Microsoft OneNote and Evernote. Whether you’re recording ideas, organizing tasks, or composing longer notes, the new formatting capabilities render Google Keep a more powerful and user-friendly choice.
As the rollout progresses, users are encouraged to frequently check their web client for the new formatting toolbar and take advantage of the improved note-taking experience.
