How to Disable the Google Docs ‘Show Document Details’ (Word Count Panel)

The Floating Distraction

Google Docs includes a feature that allows you to display a live word count on your screen as you type. If you activate it (via Tools > Word count > “Display word count while typing”), a small, pill-shaped floating panel appears in the bottom-left corner of your document. Clicking this panel reveals further “Document Details,” including character counts and page numbers.

While this is incredibly useful for students trying to hit a specific essay length, the floating panel can be visually distracting if you are just trying to write without worrying about metrics. Because it floats over the document, it can occasionally obscure text or formatting options at the very bottom of the page. You can easily hide this panel if you no longer need it.

How to Hide the Word Count Panel

You can turn off the floating box directly from the panel itself or the Tools menu.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to any open document in Google Docs.
2. Look for the small floating word count box in the bottom-left corner of your screen.
3. Click the small arrow icon on the right side of the floating box to open its mini-menu.
4. Click the option that says Hide word count.

Alternatively, if you prefer using the main menu:

1. At the top of the screen, click on the Tools menu.
2. Select Word count (or press Ctrl + Shift + C).
3. In the popup window, uncheck the box labelled Display word count while typing.
4. Click OK.

The floating panel will disappear immediately. You can still check your word count at any time by pressing Ctrl + Shift + C, but the live tracker will no longer clutter your screen.