Google Vids will turn your boring documents into videos

Google Vids keeps getting new features every few months. It already supports Veo 3.1 for video generation, and the company even integrated it into Google Slides for easier video creation. Now, Google is adding another capability to Vids that could be both useful and entertaining.

Google announced today that Google Vids now supports converting PDF files, Google Docs files, and Word documents into well-polished video summaries. A new “Docs to Video” option in the File menu lets users choose a document from Google Drive or upload one from their computer.

Vids then uses AI to go through the uploaded document, create a video script, and add narration. Users can edit the script if needed or choose a different narration voice. After that, Vids creates a video using the script and narration, along with AI-generated images and backgrounds.

This can be quite useful for going through long (often boring) documents without actually having to read them. It’s also a good way to review lengthy meeting notes or catch up on training materials.

I tried using the new tool, but it hasn’t been able to create a video for me so far. It managed to read my document and create a script, but it kept displaying an error when I asked it to generate the video. It could be a random glitch, but hopefully it will be fixed sooner rather than later.

Google has already started rolling out the feature to users. However, if you’re on a Workspace account that is set to receive scheduled updates, it might take up to 15 days for the feature to reach your account.

“Docs to Video” is available for users with Google Business, Enterprise, and Education plans. It is also available for users with a Google AI Plus, Pro, or Ultra subscription.