How to Install and Use the Helperbird Add-on for Google Classroom

Install Helperbird Google Docs and Slides add-on. Add accessibility features to your Google Workspace documents and presentations.

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Helperbird for Google Classroom brings all your favorite accessibility features right into your classroom materials. Open PDFs in a more accessible way, use dyslexia-friendly fonts, and access all of Helperbird's tools without leaving Google Classroom.


Installing Helperbird for Google Classroom

Step 1: Check Your Setup

You'll need a Google Account and Helperbird version 107 or later for the best experience.


Step 2: Install the Add-on

Head to the Google Workspace Marketplace and search for Helperbird. Click Install and follow the prompts.


Step 3: Start Using It

Once installed, Helperbird will appear as an option when you open files in Google Classroom.

Tip: If you're using a work or school account, you might need admin approval to install add-ons.


Opening PDFs with Helperbird

Step 1: Find Your PDF

Open Google Classroom and click on the PDF you want to read.


Step 2: Use "Open with"

At the top of the PDF preview, click the Open with dropdown button.


Step 3: Select Helperbird

Choose Open in Helperbird from the list. The PDF will open in a new tab with all your accessibility tools.

Tip: The first time you open a PDF, you might see a popup asking for permission. Just click "Yes" or "Allow."


Using Right-Click to Open PDFs

Step 1: Find Your PDF

Go to Google Classroom and locate the PDF file you want to open.


Step 2: Right-Click the File

Right-click directly on the PDF file. A context menu will appear.


Step 3: Open in Helperbird

Select Open in Helperbird from the menu. Your PDF will open in Helperbird's reader in a new tab.

Tip: Right-clicking is the fastest way to open PDFs in Helperbird, especially when working with multiple files.


Video Tutorial


Need Additional Help?

Ran into a snag while getting started? No worries at all! Just reach out to our friendly Helperbird support team, and we'll help you smooth things out in no time.

What People Are Saying

Join over 1,000,000 people who use Helperbird every day.

Simplemente increíble. Nunca he tenido una extensión con tantísimas opciones juntas. Como profesor, siempre la recomiendo a las familias de estudiantes con dificultades para mantener la atención, a la hora de leer, y otras necesidades específicas, aunque pienso que puede ser de uso para cualquiera. ¡Un 10!

Firefox user

Firefox user

Profesor / Teacher

this extension is amazing and has helped improve my productivity robert has also been a very nice person to deal with when I have issues the live chat feature is amazing and quick for a response it's a really great Chrome extension that helps a lot way worth the money I pay per month and is also just great to support great people making accessibility tools

Jack Salem

Jack Salem

Helperbird user

Immersive Reader from Microsoft is amazing, but my friends in Google districts were missing out until I found Helperbird. Great for proofreading! Simply highlight the text and have it read back to you, change the spacing in your view, highlight parts of speech, even translate by word or by document to have it read to you and adjust the speed! So amazing that I posted a YouTube tutorial within days of installing it. Plus, unlike many extensions, it didn't ask for obnoxious permissions like asking to delete everything in my Google Drive. #Winner #a11y

GK Techies

GK Techies

Helperbird user

This extension has been an absolute lifesaver. I have that fantastic combo of ADHD and Dyslexia while trying to go through college. I have difficulty keeping letters in order, seeing the gaps between words, and with ADHD on top, I lose focus A LOT. The immersive reader has been my new best friend. It drowns out the rest of the content on the page, changes the font to something I can read, and highlights the word as it reads to me. My eyes are forced to keep going in the right direction. I can slow down and pay attention to what I'm reading. I don't even have to go back and read the same paragraph 5 times to understand it! The screen overlay has been outstanding for eye strain and being able to distinguish between words and spaces. The custom font and spacing for research articles have been an enormous advantage! I can actually read the research papers now and not have this daunting 2 column fine print page to squint over.All around, this has been the best purchase I've ever had. I use this every day, with every assignment. I don't even struggle with story-based questions anymore. The immersive reader helps me read, listen, and understand the question all at once. I am still exploring what I can use this with and how it can make my academic career, and I keep getting impressed with every new way I find to use it. Seriously, try it out. You won't regret it at all. Even if you don't have dyslexia or ADHD, just try it out. You might find that it helps you understand the content you're trying to learn even better!

Mason Hunter

Mason Hunter

Helperbird user

Helperbird is an excellent extension supporting a range of learning differences. Aside from providing many evidence-based dyslexia-assistive tools, the extension also functions as an easy-to-use, feature-rich web experience customization tool suitable to support a wide range of cognitive differences (i.e., color blindness and ADHD-related focus concerns, among others). Also, the developer is a very good person who supports the various learning-different communities in many ways, including by designing the free version of Helperbird to provide enough functionality to be beneficial to people who cannot afford to subscribe to the full-function version.

Kirk Smith

Kirk Smith

Helperbird user

omg i can actually read now

Spin F.

Spin F.

Helperbird user

Helperbird logo: Stylized owl with large yellow eyes and a beige face, against a green background.

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