A people smart chip identifies a person in Google Docs and can show related information. Mentioning someone in a chip does not automatically grant that person access to the document.
Insert the intended person
- Place the cursor where the reference belongs.
- Type the at sign and begin entering the person’s name or email address.
- Select the correct identity from the suggestions.
- Hover or click the chip to inspect its details.
Use the email address when several people share a name. Google supports people chips for users with Gmail or Workspace addresses, and @me can insert a chip for yourself.
Keep identity and access separate
Google explicitly states that a smart-chip mention does not automatically share the document. If the person needs to read or edit it, inspect the actual sharing arrangement and grant only the intended access when authorized.
A people chip is also different from an assigned checklist task or a comment action item. A name displayed next to an action does not by itself establish a synchronized task or a formal responsibility.
Check the document’s meaning
Use wording that explains the person’s role, such as reviewer or meeting organizer, when that context matters. A chip alone can leave the relationship ambiguous.
Before sharing, inspect the audience and whether the included identity information is appropriate. Check the exported output if readers will receive a PDF or Word file, since the interactive preview is part of the live editor experience. Verify the visible name and the intended role rather than treating a successfully inserted chip as proof of access, notification, assignment, or approval.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.