Support & FAQ

Google Docs does not support vertical writing out of the box. Once you install the TateGaki add-on, you can use vertical writing — including manuscript paper and blank canvas modes — directly inside Google Docs. TateGaki is free to install from the Google Workspace Marketplace.

Google Docs is built around horizontal writing, so vertical input isn't part of its standard feature set. TateGaki is an add-on that fills this gap: you can type vertically inside a dialog and export the result back into your Google Doc.

Open Google Docs™, then choose Extensions → TateGaki → Open vertical editor from the menu. The vertical editor opens as a dialog where you can type in vertical layout.

Use the toolbar at the top of the editor to switch between "400-character", "200-character", "Blank vertical", and "Blank horizontal" modes. The 400-character grid is landscape (20×20) and the 200-character grid is portrait (10×20).

In manuscript paper mode (400 or 200 character), click the ruby field on the right side of any column to open the ruby input modal. Once entered, the ruby is shown in reduced size next to the base characters. Ruby is not available in blank canvas mode.

Use the save button in the toolbar to save into a TateGaki folder under My Drive on Google Drive™. Use "Save as" to create a new file; if you already have an existing file open, you can also save over it.

It writes the editor's content into your Google Docs™ document as a grid table (one cell per character), preserving the kinsoku-shori (line-breaking) layout. Before exporting, a confirmation prompt warns you that the existing content of your Google Doc will be cleared.

Yes. All features are currently free. Some features may become paid in the future, but for now the full vertical-writing environment is available at no cost.

If your browser's pop-up blocker is on, the dialog may fail to appear. Allow pop-ups for the Google Docs™ domain, then reload the page and try again.

On first launch, the Noto Serif JP font may take a few seconds to load. Check your internet connection and wait a moment. If the problem persists, close the dialog and reopen it.

Saved files live in the "TateGaki" folder at the root of My Drive on Google Drive. Open Google Drive and check that folder. The file extension is .tategaki.json.

Google Chrome is recommended. Other browsers may work, but full feature compatibility isn't guaranteed.

The add-on is designed for the desktop (web) version of Google Docs™. The mobile Google Docs app has limited add-on support.

From the Google Docs™ menu, choose Extensions → Add-ons → Manage add-ons, open the "⋮" menu next to TateGaki, and select Uninstall. Files saved in your Google Drive will not be deleted.