How to Use Canvas in Google Gemini

It’s interesting to see how Google is developing Gemini. When it was first launched (as Bard), it got a lot of negative feedback, especially when compared to ChatGPT.

But Google has been steadily improving it, adding new features. I’ve written about deep research before, and now there’s Canvas. I have to say, I’m starting to appreciate Gemini. The features, and the fact that many of them are in the free version, are big pluses.

What is Canvas?

Think of Canvas as a shared digital workspace where you and Gemini can work together. It’s a place where you can refine documents, write code, design prototypes, and more. Gemini is there with you, offering help and making suggestions in real-time.

This collaborative environment can be particularly useful for tasks that involve a combination of creative thinking, technical expertise, and attention to detail.

For example, imagine you’re working on a marketing campaign. You could use Canvas to brainstorm ideas with Gemini, develop the campaign messaging, create marketing materials, and even prototype a landing page for the campaign.

Gemini can assist with each of these steps, providing suggestions, generating content, and helping you to refine your work.

Steps to Use Canvas

Here’s a quick guide:

• Go to https://gemini.google.com
• Make sure you’ve selected the Gemini 2.0 Flash model.
• Look below the prompt box. You’ll see the Canvas option. Select it.
• Type in your prompt and submit it to begin.

The interface is designed to be user-friendly, with a clean layout that makes it easy to focus on the task at hand. The prompt box is located at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to easily input your requests to Gemini.

The Canvas itself takes up the majority of the screen, providing ample space to view and edit the content that is generated.

Ways to Use Canvas

Writing

Since I’m a blogger, this was the first thing I wanted to try. I asked Gemini to write a blog post on Gemini Canvas, and it produced one quickly.

The great thing is that I can edit the blog post directly within Canvas. There’s also an option to export it to Google Docs. Right there in Canvas, I can change the length of the post, adjust the writing style, and even ask the AI to suggest edits.

For instance, if you feel the initial draft is too formal, you can ask Gemini to make it more casual. If a section is too brief, you can request a more detailed explanation. This is a real help, and I can see it making content writers much more productive.

Beyond simply generating text, Gemini can also help with the overall structure and organization of your blog post. You can ask it to create an outline, suggest headings and subheadings, or even generate a table of contents. This can save you a significant amount of time and effort in the initial stages of the writing process.

Coding

Canvas could be a very useful tool for developers. It doesn’t just generate code; it also lets you preview it. This saves a lot of time. I tried this prompt: Create a portfolio website for a mobile app developer. I suggest you to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The website should be responsive.

Gemini generated the code and created a pretty good portfolio website on the first try. The generated code included sections for showcasing projects, highlighting skills, and providing contact information.

The layout was clean and modern, and the website was indeed responsive, adapting well to different screen sizes.

There’s even a “Show console” option for simple debugging. This allows you to quickly identify and fix any errors in the code. You can also use Canvas to experiment with different coding languages and frameworks, and to learn new programming techniques.

Prototyping

Because Canvas is good at generating and previewing code, it can also handle simple prototypes. For example, I gave it the prompt, Make a quiz app about space. It quickly created a simple, interactive quiz game.

The game included multiple-choice questions and a scoring system. The user interface was basic but functional, providing a good starting point for further development.

So, Canvas can be useful for putting together quick prototypes. You can use it to test out different ideas, to get feedback from users, and to iterate on your designs.

Documentation

Creating documentation with Gemini Canvas feels different. You can create documentation on almost anything and edit it live.

Imagine you’re working on a software project. You need to create documentation for the API, or perhaps a user manual for a new application.

With Gemini Canvas, you can start by providing a basic outline or just a set of key points. Gemini can then generate a draft of the documentation, which you can then refine.

The real power comes from the interactive nature of Canvas. You can highlight a section that needs more detail, and ask Gemini to expand on it. You can change the wording, add examples, or even request diagrams or code samples to be included. This collaborative process makes it much easier and faster to produce thorough and accurate documentation.

The ability to make these kinds of edits and requests directly within Canvas, and to see the results in real-time, can significantly streamline the documentation process.

It also helps to ensure that the documentation is clear, concise, and comprehensive. Canvas can handle various types of documentation, including software documentation, user manuals, API references, design documents, and more.

Beyond these specific examples, Canvas can also be used for a wide range of other documentation tasks. For instance, you could use it to create:

• Technical specifications: Detailing the technical requirements and design considerations for a software system.
• Training materials: Providing instructions and exercises for learning a new software application or technology.
• Help center articles: Answering frequently asked questions and providing solutions to common problems.
• Marketing materials: Describing the features and benefits of a product or service.
• Business proposals: Outlining the details of a proposed project or venture.

The versatility of Canvas makes it a valuable tool for anyone who needs to create documentation, regardless of the specific context or purpose.

From writing and code generation to prototyping and documentation, Gemini Canvas presents a dynamic and efficient way to bring your ideas to life. Its collaborative nature, real-time feedback, and editing capabilities make it a valuable asset for a wide range of tasks.

As Google continues to develop Gemini, Canvas is poised to become an even more integral part of the creative and development process. Whether you’re a writer, a developer, a designer, or simply someone with a great idea, Canvas provides the tools and support you need to turn your vision into reality.