Google Workspace Updates: December 2024

Adding folder support to Gemini in the side panel of Google Drive

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Today we’re excited to announce that you can now focus your Gemini conversations in Drive to a specific Drive folder using the side panel. For example, after indicating a specific folder via an @-mention, you can ask Gemini to find files in the folder or write a summary of the folder’s content. You could also ask things like:

“Summarize files in @-folder”
“What is the theme of the content in @-folder”

summarizing a folder in Drive using Gemini

Additional details

Gemini can only answer questions about text documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Getting started

Admins: To access Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps, users need to have smart features and personalization turned on. Admins can turn on default personalization setting for their users in the Admin console.
End users:

If Gemini in the side panel is closed, you can:

Navigate to a folder, and click on the “Summarize this folder” button, or;
Right-click on a folder in the doclist, and click on “Ask Gemini” in the context menu, or;
Select a folder in a doclist, and click on “Summarize this folder” in the selection toolbar.

If Gemini in side panel is already open, you can:

Drag and drop a folder from the doclist into the side panel, or;
@-mention a folder in the side panel’s textbox.

If you are searching for a folder, you can:

Click the Gemini icon next to the folder in the search dropdown box.

Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Google Drive.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 11, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium
Google One AI Premium

Resources

What’s changingSince rolling out Gemini in the side panel of Google Drive, users have been able to summarize one or multiple documents, get quick facts about a project, and more. We also introduced a new way for users to interact with the Gemini side panel while viewing PDFs.
Today we’re excited to announce that you can now focus your Gemini conversations in Drive to a specific Drive folder using the side panel. For example, after indicating a specific folder via an @-mention, you can ask Gemini to find files in the folder or write a summary of the folder’s content. You could also ask things like:

“Summarize files in @-folder”
“What is the theme of the content in @-folder”

Additional details

Gemini can only answer questions about text documents, PDFs, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Getting started

Admins: To access Gemini in the side panel of Workspace apps, users need to have smart features and personalization turned on. Admins can turn on default personalization setting for their users in the Admin console.
End users:

If Gemini in the side panel is closed, you can:

Navigate to a folder, and click on the “Summarize this folder” button, or;
Right-click on a folder in the doclist, and click on “Ask Gemini” in the context menu, or;
Select a folder in a doclist, and click on “Summarize this folder” in the selection toolbar.

If Gemini in side panel is already open, you can:

Drag and drop a folder from the doclist into the side panel, or;
@-mention a folder in the side panel’s textbox.

If you are searching for a folder, you can:

Click the Gemini icon next to the folder in the search dropdown box.

Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Google Drive.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 11, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium
Google One AI Premium

Resources

Available in open beta: prevent sensitive changes by locking Groups

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Admins can now label a Google Group as “Locked,” which will heavily restrict changes to group attributes (such as group name & email address) and memberships. This will help admins who sync their groups from an external source and want to prevent getting out of sync, or who want to restrict changes to sensitive groups. This feature will be available in open beta, which means no additional sign-up is required.

The Group Details page in the Admin console shows a “Locked” label on the group, with the message “You can’t update this group - it might be managed by an external identity system.”

Who’s impacted

Admins

Why it’s important

If you use third-party tools, like Entra ID, to manage group synchronization, you may encounter inconsistencies when modifications are made to these groups, like adding or removing members, for example. To help address this, we’re introducing the option to “lock” a group, which will prevent modifications within Google Workspace and help maintain synchronization with the external source.

When a group is locked, only certain admins* can modify:

The group name, description, email, and alias(es)
Group labels
Memberships (adding or removing members) and member restrictions
Membership roles
Delete the group
Set up a new membership expiry

When a group is locked, access and content moderation settings are not affected, this includes:

Who can post
Who can view members
Who can contact members
Membership removals due to an existing membership expiry
Access or content moderation settings

*Super Admins, Group Admins, and Group Editors with a condition that includes “Locked Groups”

Additional details

By default, the changes listed above will be restricted from end users, including group owners and managers of a locked group. If you want to also restrict some admins from making these changes in the Admin Console or APIs, you can assign them the Group Editor role with a condition that excludes locked groups.

The ability to lock or unlock a group using the “Locked” label is available to Super Admins, Group Admins, or a custom role with the “Manage Locked Label” privilege. Lock a group using the “Locked” group label in the Admin Console, or the Cloud Identity Groups API.

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about locking groups and assigning the Group Editor role with conditions. Use our developer documentation to learn more about managing locked groups with the Cloud Identity Groups API (beta version).
End users: There is no end user action required.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 10, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Enterprise Standard and Plus
Enterprise Essentials Plus
Education Standard and Plus
Also available to Cloud Identity Premium customers

Resources

What’s changingAdmins can now label a Google Group as “Locked,” which will heavily restrict changes to group attributes (such as group name & email address) and memberships. This will help admins who sync their groups from an external source and want to prevent getting out of sync, or who want to restrict changes to sensitive groups. This feature will be available in open beta, which means no additional sign-up is required.

The Group Details page in the Admin console shows a “Locked” label on the group, with the message “You can’t update this group - it might be managed by an external identity system.”

Who’s impactedAdminsWhy it’s importantIf you use third-party tools, like Entra ID, to manage group synchronization, you may encounter inconsistencies when modifications are made to these groups, like adding or removing members, for example. To help address this, we’re introducing the option to “lock” a group, which will prevent modifications within Google Workspace and help maintain synchronization with the external source. When a group is locked, only certain admins* can modify:

The group name, description, email, and alias(es)

Group labels

Memberships (adding or removing members) and member restrictions

Membership roles

Delete the group

Set up a new membership expiry

When a group is locked, access and content moderation settings are not affected, this includes:

Who can post

Who can view members

Who can contact members

Membership removals due to an existing membership expiry

Access or content moderation settings

*Super Admins, Group Admins, and Group Editors with a condition that includes “Locked Groups”

Additional details

Getting started

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 10, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Enterprise Standard and Plus
Enterprise Essentials Plus
Education Standard and Plus
Also available to Cloud Identity Premium customers

Resources

Create fully stylized documents using Gemini in Google Docs

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Today, we’re introducing help me create, a new feature that lets you build a full document using content in Drive from a single, custom prompt. Simply click to create at the top of a new document or go to File > New > Help me create to get started. After describing the document you want to create, which includes the option to pull in content from your files using “@ filename", Gemini will transform your blank page into a long-form document with cover images, in-line images, stylized text, tables, content from your Drive files, and more.

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use it

Help me create is designed to help you get started with a first draft of your document. For example:

A marketing manager at a CPG company can create a launch plan for a new product using the following prompt: Create a marketing plan to support the launch of a new line of coffee flavors. Include timing, owners, deliverables, and create a cover image that shows different types of coffee.
A manager can create a vision document to keep their team on track by telling Gemini: Create an overview document of our team charter and goals based on [Team charter brainstorm notes], and include a cover image that shows team bonding in an office setting.
A small business owner specializing in eco-friendly products can create a proposal for a new client by typing: Create a proposal for my new client using the deliverables listed in [Customer meeting notes - November 30, 2024]. Outline the scope of work, pricing, and timing, and create a cover image that shows eco-friendly cleaning products and inline images.

You can also choose from a variety of starter prompts to expedite the creation process for common document use cases. For example, you can select:

A roadmap for a product launch that includes strategy breakdowns and outlines key milestones, timelines, and initiatives (with the option to include images for each feature).
A party planning checklist with a timeline of tasks, milestones, deadlines, and dependencies.
A template for a 15-minute daily standup meeting with teammates that includes a table for each individual to leave their updates.

Getting started

Admins: To access this feature, users need to have smart features and personalization turned on. Admins can turn on default personalization setting for their users in the Admin console.
End users:

Help me create is currently supported on pageless documents only, is only available in English at this time, and does not currently incorporate web search results.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about creating documents with Gemini in Google Docs, which includes tips on how to write prompts to create documents.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 10, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 16, 2024, with expected completion by January 9, 2025

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium
Google One AI Premium

Resources

What’s changing Building upon AI-powered features such as help me write, image generation, and more using Gemini in Google Docs, we’re excited to introduce a new way for users to create highly structured, styled, and visually-appealing documents with Gemini.
Today, we’re introducing help me create, a new feature that lets you build a full document using content in Drive from a single, custom prompt. Simply click to create at the top of a new document or go to File > New > Help me create to get started. After describing the document you want to create, which includes the option to pull in content from your files using “@ filename", Gemini will transform your blank page into a long-form document with cover images, in-line images, stylized text, tables, content from your Drive files, and more.

Who’s impacted End users

Why you’d use it Help me create is designed to help you get started with a first draft of your document. For example:

A marketing manager at a CPG company can create a launch plan for a new product using the following prompt: Create a marketing plan to support the launch of a new line of coffee flavors. Include timing, owners, deliverables, and create a cover image that shows different types of coffee.
A manager can create a vision document to keep their team on track by telling Gemini: Create an overview document of our team charter and goals based on [Team charter brainstorm notes], and include a cover image that shows team bonding in an office setting.
A small business owner specializing in eco-friendly products can create a proposal for a new client by typing: Create a proposal for my new client using the deliverables listed in [Customer meeting notes - November 30, 2024]. Outline the scope of work, pricing, and timing, and create a cover image that shows eco-friendly cleaning products and inline images.

You can also choose from a variety of starter prompts to expedite the creation process for common document use cases. For example, you can select:

A roadmap for a product launch that includes strategy breakdowns and outlines key milestones, timelines, and initiatives (with the option to include images for each feature).
A party planning checklist with a timeline of tasks, milestones, deadlines, and dependencies.
A template for a 15-minute daily standup meeting with teammates that includes a table for each individual to leave their updates.

Getting started

Admins: To access this feature, users need to have smart features and personalization turned on. Admins can turn on default personalization setting for their users in the Admin console.
End users:

Help me create is currently supported on pageless documents only, is only available in English at this time, and does not currently incorporate web search results.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about creating documents with Gemini in Google Docs, which includes tips on how to write prompts to create documents.

Rollout pace

Availability Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, Education Premium
Google One AI Premium

Resources

Google Help: Collaborate with Gemini in Google Docs
Google Help: Create documents with Gemini in Google Docs

Build high-quality, modern documents faster in Google Docs with 40 new templates

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

These pre-made pageless templates consist of several new features that make your documents visual and effective. Document tabs keep your documents organized, placeholder chips make it easy for you and your collaborators to add data, and building blocks, pre-set layouts and styles give your document a premium look and feel. Accessible via the “Templates” button at the top of a newly created document or by going to File > New > From template gallery in an open document, users can find customizable templates that cater to a wide range of use cases. For example, there are templates for blog posts, press releases, business proposals, and journals, in addition to:

A project roadmap, marketing plan, and sales emails for business users.
An interview guide, onboarding guide, and training manual for human resource teams.
A reading list and class notes templates for education users.

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use it

Docs templates help users save time since they don’t have to build documents from scratch, create more uniform, high-quality, visually-appealing documents, and enable them to be more productive with the latest Docs features in their daily processes.

Additional details

You can expect even more high-quality Docs template options in the coming months.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about using templates in Google Docs.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 10, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Google Help: Use templates

What’s changingWe recently released our refreshed library of templates in Google Slides, and today we’re introducing a collection of 40 new high-quality, visually modern designs in Google Docs.
These pre-made pageless templates consist of several new features that make your documents visual and effective. Document tabs keep your documents organized, placeholder chips make it easy for you and your collaborators to add data, and building blocks, pre-set layouts and styles give your document a premium look and feel. Accessible via the “Templates” button at the top of a newly created document or by going to File > New > From template gallery in an open document, users can find customizable templates that cater to a wide range of use cases. For example, there are templates for blog posts, press releases, business proposals, and journals, in addition to:

A project roadmap, marketing plan, and sales emails for business users.
An interview guide, onboarding guide, and training manual for human resource teams.
A reading list and class notes templates for education users.

Who’s impacted End users

Why you’d use it Docs templates help users save time since they don’t have to build documents from scratch, create more uniform, high-quality, visually-appealing documents, and enable them to be more productive with the latest Docs features in their daily processes.

Additional detailsYou can expect even more high-quality Docs template options in the coming months.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about using templates in Google Docs.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 10, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Google Help: Use templates

Introducing Gemini Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI™)

Monday, December 9, 2024

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why you’d use it

Google is committed to making AI helpful for everyone, in the classroom and beyond. Bringing Gemini into LMS tools helps educators boost their creativity and productivity to create more dynamic and engaging learning experiences for their students. Specifically, educators can use the AI tools to:

Outline a lesson plan, including learning objectives.
Generate a quiz and export it to Google Forms.
Create a hook to spark curiosity and engage your students.

Students can further solidify what they’re learning in the classroom or explore new topics alongside an AI:

In-the-moment assistance: get unstuck and keep learning going by get clarification in real time.
Learning coach: get a step-by-step learning plan built around specific learning goals.
Brainstorming partner: generate fresh ideas for a research paper, additional authors to read, and more.
Feedback on writing: get suggestions on how to strengthen your arguments and hone your ideas
Mock interviews: prepare for an upcoming internship or extra curricular interview.

Additional details

Gemini LTI™ is part of Google Workspace LTI, our suite of LTI™ tools, including Assignments LTI™, Google Drive LTI™, and Google Meet LTI™. Visit our Help Center to learn more about Workspace LTI™.

Getting started

Admins:

In order for educators and students to access the Gemini LTI™, you’ll need to enable Google Workspace LTI™ service in Admin Console and enable Gemini service in Admin Console. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Gemini LTI in general.
Learning Management Systems admins need to enable Gemini LTI™ in their LMS as well. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting up Gemini LTI in Canvas by Instructure and Powerschool Schoology Learning.

End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about Gemini LTI™.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on December 9, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus

Resources

What’s changingWe’re pleased to introduce Gemini LTI™, an AI-powered assistant that can integrate into third party Learning Management Systems (LMS). Gemini LTI™ helps enhance the educational experience for both educators and students by providing AI-driven tools and features powered by Gemini within their LMS environment. To start, Gemini LTI™ integrates with Canvas by Instructure and Powerschool Schoology Learning.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why you’d use it

Outline a lesson plan, including learning objectives.
Generate a quiz and export it to Google Forms.
Create a hook to spark curiosity and engage your students.

Students can further solidify what they’re learning in the classroom or explore new topics alongside an AI:

In-the-moment assistance: get unstuck and keep learning going by get clarification in real time.
Learning coach: get a step-by-step learning plan built around specific learning goals.
Brainstorming partner: generate fresh ideas for a research paper, additional authors to read, and more.
Feedback on writing: get suggestions on how to strengthen your arguments and hone your ideas
Mock interviews: prepare for an upcoming internship or extra curricular interview.

Additional details

Getting started

Admins:

End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about Gemini LTI™.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on December 9, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus

Resources

Create and manage rubrics using the Google Classroom API

Monday, December 9, 2024

More specifically, developers can read and write rubrics using the API, and also see student submission scores broken down by the corresponding rubric criteria, rather than just accessing the total score, enabling deeper insights into student performance.

Create and manage rubrics using the Google Classroom API

Who’s impacted

Admins and developers

Why it’s important

This update enables developers to create and manage rubrics on behalf of teachers at scale, and retrieve rubric-based grades to support more holistic student performance insights.

Getting started

Admins: The Classroom API provides a RESTful interface for you to manage courses and rosters in Google Classroom. Learn more about the Classroom API overview.
Developers:

Visit the following developer resource to learn more about getting started with rubrics, the general structure of a rubric and how rubric grading is done in the Classroom UI.
As part of this change, the Eligibility API has been extended to enable developers to determine which users are able to take advantage of the new rubrics endpoints.

Rollout pace

Available now.

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Education Plus

Resources

What’s changing The Google Classroom API enables third-party developers to manage classes, rosters, invitations and more in Google Classroom. Since 2019, teachers have been able to create or reuse a rubric for an assignment, however this capability did not previously exist in the Classroom API. To improve upon this experience, we’re excited to announce that developers can now manage assignment rubrics via the Classroom API.
More specifically, developers can read and write rubrics using the API, and also see student submission scores broken down by the corresponding rubric criteria, rather than just accessing the total score, enabling deeper insights into student performance.

Who’s impactedAdmins and developers

Why it’s important This update enables developers to create and manage rubrics on behalf of teachers at scale, and retrieve rubric-based grades to support more holistic student performance insights.

Getting started

Admins: The Classroom API provides a RESTful interface for you to manage courses and rosters in Google Classroom. Learn more about the Classroom API overview.
Developers:

Visit the following developer resource to learn more about getting started with rubrics, the general structure of a rubric and how rubric grading is done in the Classroom UI.
As part of this change, the Eligibility API has been extended to enable developers to determine which users are able to take advantage of the new rubrics endpoints.

Rollout pace

Available now.

Availability Available for Google Workspace:

Education Plus

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - December 6, 2024

Friday, December 6, 2024

Adding improved accessibility tagging to PDFs exported from Google Docs

To improve the ability for users with screen readers and other assistive technology to read and navigate PDFs, we’re adding more structural and accessibility tagging in PDFs exported from Google Docs. Specifically, we’ve improved tagging for paragraphs, headings, hyperlinks, image alt text, and lists. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google Docs with a screen reader.

Improving out of office notifications in Google Chat group messages and spaces

Today, if you navigate to a 1:1 direct message with someone who is out of office, you will see a banner that shows the person is out of office and the date they are returning. We’re excited to announce that this banner will now extend to group messages and spaces. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about mentioning someone else in a Chat message.

Easily discover Google Workspace Marketplace apps in Google Docs

We’re making it easier for users to discover and install relevant add-ons and apps available in the Google Workspace Marketplace. Starting this week, when you add a link into a Google Doc that is supported by select Marketplace apps, you will be prompted to install the relevant add-on. Once installed, you can replace the link with a third-party smart chip and preview relevant app information upon hovering over the chip. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for December 10, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about inserting third-party smart chips from other applications.

Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Now generally available: Policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Vids and Drive

Earlier this year, we introduced a beta for policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. This is now generally available, and as a result, users who are interacting with policy-protected content, such as those with data loss prevention (DLP) rules or trust rules, will now be informed about what actions are prevented by those policies. | Learn more about policy visualization.

New beta that supports running Google Drive on Arm-compatible Windows PCs now available

We're excited to announce beta support for Drive for desktop on Windows 11 devices powered by Snapdragon processors. Compiled natively for ARM64, this release enables users to easily sync and store files online from Windows PCs powered by Snapdragon. | Learn more about the beta for running Google Drive on Arm-compatible Windows PCs.

Now generally available: configure third-party apps by select API scopes

Earlier this year, we launched the ability to configure third-party apps by select API scopes to open beta. This feature is now generally available. | Learn more about configuring third-party apps by select API scopes.

Available in beta: Convert your client-side encrypted spreadsheets after a Vault or Takeout export

After a Vault or Data export (Takeout), admins can now convert their exported client-side encrypted spreadsheets to Excel files. | Learn more about CSE spreadsheets.

Adding granular control options for who can respond to Google Forms

Form creators can limit response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences—similar to how file owners can restrict the sharing of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or Sites in Drive. | Learn more about controls on Form responses.

Assign Calendar resources to organizational units

Admins can now assign Calendar resources, such as rooms, projectors, or company cars, to specific organizational units. Upon doing so, the resource will be governed by the policies and settings of the assigned organizational unit (OU), including data location policies. | Learn more about assigning Calendar resources.

Request an eSignature on PDF files

You can now request electronic signatures on PDF files stored in Google Drive. | Learn more about eSignature on PDF files.

Tackle repetitive tasks, extract deeper insights, and more with the latest premade Gems in the Gemini app

We’re introducing several new Gems which you can leverage across a variety of areas, including common use cases for teams across sales, customer service, marketing, human resources, and more. | Learn more about premade Gems in the Gemini app.

HIPAA and additional ISO certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile

We’re pleased to announce the attainment of HIPAA, ISO 27701, 27017, 27018, 9001, and 42001 certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile.| Learn more about certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile.

Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.

Rapid Release Domains:

Scheduled Release Domains:

Use intelligent suggestions for table conversion in Google Sheets

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains:

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).

3 New updatesUnless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.
Adding improved accessibility tagging to PDFs exported from Google Docs To improve the ability for users with screen readers and other assistive technology to read and navigate PDFs, we’re adding more structural and accessibility tagging in PDFs exported from Google Docs. Specifically, we’ve improved tagging for paragraphs, headings, hyperlinks, image alt text, and lists. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google Docs with a screen reader.

Improving out of office notifications in Google Chat group messages and spaces Today, if you navigate to a 1:1 direct message with someone who is out of office, you will see a banner that shows the person is out of office and the date they are returning. We’re excited to announce that this banner will now extend to group messages and spaces. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about mentioning someone else in a Chat message.

Easily discover Google Workspace Marketplace apps in Google DocsWe’re making it easier for users to discover and install relevant add-ons and apps available in the Google Workspace Marketplace. Starting this week, when you add a link into a Google Doc that is supported by select Marketplace apps, you will be prompted to install the relevant add-on. Once installed, you can replace the link with a third-party smart chip and preview relevant app information upon hovering over the chip. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for December 10, 2024. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about inserting third-party smart chips from other applications.

Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Now generally available: Policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Vids and Drive

New beta that supports running Google Drive on Arm-compatible Windows PCs now available

Now generally available: configure third-party apps by select API scopes

Available in beta: Convert your client-side encrypted spreadsheets after a Vault or Takeout export

After a Vault or Data export (Takeout), admins can now convert their exported client-side encrypted spreadsheets to Excel files. | Learn more about CSE spreadsheets.

Adding granular control options for who can respond to Google Forms

Assign Calendar resources to organizational units

Request an eSignature on PDF files

You can now request electronic signatures on PDF files stored in Google Drive. | Learn more about eSignature on PDF files.

Tackle repetitive tasks, extract deeper insights, and more with the latest premade Gems in the Gemini app

HIPAA and additional ISO certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile

Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.

Rapid Release Domains:

Scheduled Release Domains:

Use intelligent suggestions for table conversion in Google Sheets

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains:

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).

HIPAA and additional ISO certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile

Friday, December 6, 2024

Additional details

The Gemini app achieved ISO 27001, SOC 2 and SOC 3 compliance on web and mobile earlier this year.
Last month, we submitted our package to obtain FedRAMP High authorization for Gemini for Workspace, including the Gemini app.

Getting started

Admins:

Visit the Help Center to learn more about how Google Workspace satisfies certification and compliance standards.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning the Gemini app on or off for your users.

Rollout pace

Available now

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business
Gemini Enterprise
Gemini Education
Gemini Education Premium

Available for Google Workspace customers accessing the Gemini app as a core service with these editions:

Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus
Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus
Frontline Starter, Frontline Standard
Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus
Google Workspace for Nonprofits
Education Standard, Education Plus

Resources

What's changingWe’re pleased to announce the attainment of HIPAA, ISO 27701, 27017, 27018, 9001, and 42001 certifications for the Gemini app on web and mobile. These certifications give customers the peace of mind that data (including personally identifiable, financial and medical information) submitted to or generated by the Gemini app will be handled in accordance with recognized security controls and privacy frameworks.With these certifications, Gemini for Workspace and the Gemini app each have a comprehensive set of safety, privacy and security certifications internationally recognized by regulatory and compliance bodies.The achievement of ISO 42001, the world's first international standard for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems (AIMS), certifies that Gemini has been developed, deployed, and maintained responsibly with appropriate ethical considerations, data governance, and transparency. To date, no other generative AI offering for productivity and collaboration has met this level of recognition, showing that Gemini is the first in the industry ready to support businesses and public sector organizations while benefiting all users.

Additional details

The Gemini app achieved ISO 27001, SOC 2 and SOC 3 compliance on web and mobile earlier this year.
Last month, we submitted our package to obtain FedRAMP High authorization for Gemini for Workspace, including the Gemini app.

Getting started

Admins:

Visit the Help Center to learn more about how Google Workspace satisfies certification and compliance standards.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning the Gemini app on or off for your users.

Rollout pace

Available now

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

Gemini Business
Gemini Enterprise
Gemini Education
Gemini Education Premium

Available for Google Workspace customers accessing the Gemini app as a core service with these editions:

Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus
Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus
Frontline Starter, Frontline Standard
Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus
Google Workspace for Nonprofits
Education Standard, Education Plus

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Google Workspace legal and compliance
Google Workspace Admin Help: Turn the Gemini app on or off
Google Workspace: HIPAA Included Functionality
Google Workspace and Cloud Identity: HIPAA Implementation Guide
Google Workspace Updates Blog: SOC compliance for Gemini
Google Workspace Updates Blog: FedRAMP High authorization for Gemini for Workspace

Tackle repetitive tasks, extract deeper insights, and more with the latest premade Gems in the Gemini app

Thursday, December 5, 2024

The starting point for one of the new premade Gems, Outreach specialist, in the Gemini

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use them

Gems empower users to streamline time-consuming tasks, generate innovative ideas, and enhance productivity. By minimizing repetitive prompting, Gems provides a tailored experience, maximizing the efficiency and potential of Gemini to meet your specific needs:

Sales pitch ideator can help sales teams create compelling pitch materials to drive conversions.
Hiring consultant can help hiring teams write requirements based on job descriptions for similar positions.
Outreach specialist can help sales and customer support teams craft personalized messages to customers.
Copy creator can help marketing teams write appealing branded content.
Sentiment analyzer can help customer-facing teams analyze feedback and reveal sentiment trends over time.

Getting started

Admins: Gems are available in Gemini (gemini.google.com) by default — there is no admin control for this feature.
End users: These premade Gems will be available starting in English. We hope to expand to additional languages soon. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Gems.

Rollout pace

Available now.

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with a Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, or Education Premium add-on

Resources

What’s changingEarlier this year we introduced Gems for the Gemini app, which are custom AI experts that you can build across a variety of topics. At launch, we included several premade Gems, which allow you to easily chat with an already built, topic-defined Gem, like a writing editor or coding partner.Launching first in English, we’re introducing several new Gems which you can leverage across a variety of areas, including common use cases for teams across sales, customer service, marketing, human resources, and more. Specifically, these Gems are:

Sales pitch ideator

Hiring consultant

Outreach specialist

Copy creator

Sentiment analyzer

The starting point for one of the new premade Gems, Outreach specialist, in the Gemini

Who’s impacted

End users

Why you’d use them

Sales pitch ideator can help sales teams create compelling pitch materials to drive conversions.
Hiring consultant can help hiring teams write requirements based on job descriptions for similar positions.
Outreach specialist can help sales and customer support teams craft personalized messages to customers.
Copy creator can help marketing teams write appealing branded content.
Sentiment analyzer can help customer-facing teams analyze feedback and reveal sentiment trends over time.

Getting started

Admins: Gems are available in Gemini (gemini.google.com) by default — there is no admin control for this feature.
End users: These premade Gems will be available starting in English. We hope to expand to additional languages soon. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Gems.

Rollout pace

Available now.

Availability

Available for Google Workspace customers with a Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, or Education Premium add-on

Resources

Request an eSignature on PDF files

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Today, we’re pleased to announce that you can now request electronic signatures on PDF files stored in Google Drive. This capability includes custom fields, such as phone number, job title, company, etc. Expanding eSignature to include PDFs will make it even easier to request and capture signatures all without leaving Workspace.

Requesting an eSignature on a PDF stored in Google Drive

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning eSignature on or off for your users.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about sending signature requests & sign documents with eSignature.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 4, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Business Standard and Plus
Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus
Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus
Education Plus
Also available to Google Workspace Individual subscribers

Resources

What’s changing Earlier this year we introduced eSignature in Google Docs for select Google Workspace customers. eSignature helps you request, track, and add signatures to official contracts, and more.

Today, we’re pleased to announce that you can now request electronic signatures on PDF files stored in Google Drive. This capability includes custom fields, such as phone number, job title, company, etc. Expanding eSignature to include PDFs will make it even easier to request and capture signatures all without leaving Workspace.

Requesting an eSignature on a PDF stored in Google Drive

Getting started

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning eSignature on or off for your users.
End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about sending signature requests & sign documents with eSignature.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 4, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Business Standard and Plus
Enterprise Starter, Standard and Plus
Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus
Education Plus
Also available to Google Workspace Individual subscribers

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: Turn eSignature on or off for users
Google Help: Send signature requests & sign documents with eSignature

Assign Calendar resources to organizational units

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Getting started

Admins:

By default, resource calendars are associated with the root organization – no changes are made until the admin re-assigns resources to another OU.
This feature requires the admin privilege to read organizational units.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about configuring organizational units for Calendar resources.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility starting on December 4, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace Enterprise Plus and Assured Controls customers

Resources

What’s changingAdmins can now assign Calendar resources, such as rooms, projectors, or company cars, to specific organizational units. Upon doing so, the resource will be governed by the policies and settings of the assigned organizational unit (OU), including data location policies.

Getting started

Admins:

By default, resource calendars are associated with the root organization – no changes are made until the admin re-assigns resources to another OU.
This feature requires the admin privilege to read organizational units.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about configuring organizational units for Calendar resources.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility starting on December 4, 2024

Availability

Available for Google Workspace Enterprise Plus and Assured Controls customers

Resources

Adding granular control options for who can respond to Google Forms

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Previously, form creators had two sharing options: restrict responses to users within their domain (and trusted domains) or make forms public (i.e. anyone with the URL can respond).

With this new option, now generally available, form creators can limit response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences—similar to how file owners can restrict the sharing of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or Sites in Drive.

Adding granular control options for who can respond to Google Forms

Who’s impacted

Admins, end users and developers

Why you’d use it

This feature is useful in any scenario where you’d like to control who can respond to a form. For example, business leaders can better collect feedback from specific organizational units and prevent the form from being responded to by other teams or organization units. Similarly, teachers can use this to ensure a quiz is only accessible to select students who receive the link.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users:

Form creators must publish their form to enable responders to view the form or submit a response.
Form creators can see who has access to the form and share response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about publishing & sharing your form with responders.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 3, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on January 6, 2025

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Note: The target audiences feature mentioned above is only available for the Google Drive and Docs and Google Chat services. Supported editions for this feature on Drive, Docs & Chat include: Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus. Supported editions for this feature on Drive & Docs only include: Business Standard, Nonprofits and G Suite Business.

Resources

What’s changingLast year, we introduced a beta that gives Google Forms creators more granular control over who can respond to their forms via sharing settings.
Previously, form creators had two sharing options: restrict responses to users within their domain (and trusted domains) or make forms public (i.e. anyone with the URL can respond).
With this new option, now generally available, form creators can limit response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences—similar to how file owners can restrict the sharing of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or Sites in Drive.

Who’s impacted Admins, end users and developers

Why you’d use it This feature is useful in any scenario where you’d like to control who can respond to a form. For example, business leaders can better collect feedback from specific organizational units and prevent the form from being responded to by other teams or organization units. Similarly, teachers can use this to ensure a quiz is only accessible to select students who receive the link.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users:

Form creators must publish their form to enable responders to view the form or submit a response.
Form creators can see who has access to the form and share response access to specific users, groups, or target audiences.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about publishing & sharing your form with responders.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 3, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on January 6, 2025

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Note: The target audiences feature mentioned above is only available for the Google Drive and Docs and Google Chat services. Supported editions for this feature on Drive, Docs & Chat include: Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, Enterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials Plus. Supported editions for this feature on Drive & Docs only include: Business Standard, Nonprofits and G Suite Business.

Resources

Available in beta: Convert your client-side encrypted spreadsheets after a Vault or Takeout export

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Eligible Google Workspace admins can use this form to request access to the beta. We’ll share more specific instructions once you’re accepted into the beta.

Getting started

Admins: Client-side encryption can be enabled at the domain, OU, and Group levels (Admin console > Data > Compliance > Client-side encryption). Visit our Help Center to learn more about client-side encryption.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: The feature will be available immediately once you're accepted into the beta.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus customers

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: About client-side encryption

What’s changingAfter a Vault or Data export (Takeout), admins can now convert their exported client-side encrypted spreadsheets to Excel files. This allows organizations to maintain access to and analysis of sensitive data in a portable format even after it has been exported from Google Workspace.
Eligible Google Workspace admins can use this form to request access to the beta. We’ll share more specific instructions once you’re accepted into the beta.

Getting started

Admins: Client-side encryption can be enabled at the domain, OU, and Group levels (Admin console > Data > Compliance > Client-side encryption). Visit our Help Center to learn more about client-side encryption.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: The feature will be available immediately once you're accepted into the beta.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus customers

Resources

Google Workspace Admin Help: About client-side encryption

Now generally available: configure third-party apps by select API scopes

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

This update gives admins more granular control. They can limit third-party app access to specific OAuth 2.0 scopes for Google APIs, like Drive or Gmail. This prevents apps from gaining additional access without admin consent, even if they request new API scopes in the future. This helps ensure data access is restricted to only what admins deem necessary.

Getting started

Admins: To manage app access, in the Admin console navigate to Security > API Controls > App Access Controls. Visit the Help Center to learn more about controlling which third-party & internal apps access Google Workspace data.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) December 3, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as Cloud Identity Free and Premium customers

Resources

What’s changing Earlier this year, we launched the ability to configure third-party apps by select API scopes to open beta. Beginning today, this feature is now generally available.

This update gives admins more granular control. They can limit third-party app access to specific OAuth 2.0 scopes for Google APIs, like Drive or Gmail. This prevents apps from gaining additional access without admin consent, even if they request new API scopes in the future. This helps ensure data access is restricted to only what admins deem necessary.

Getting started

Admins: To manage app access, in the Admin console navigate to Security > API Controls > App Access Controls. Visit the Help Center to learn more about controlling which third-party & internal apps access Google Workspace data.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) December 3, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as Cloud Identity Free and Premium customers

Resources

New beta that supports running Google Drive on Arm-compatible Windows PCs now available

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

To opt-in to the beta, download and install the beta version of Google Drive for desktop on Arm-compatible Windows 11 device powered by Snapdragon. If you wish to opt-out at any time, disconnect your account and then uninstall the application.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users:

The beta version of Google Drive for desktop can only be installed on devices running Windows 11 and requires Microsoft WebView2, which is typically included with Windows 11. If it is missing or was previously removed, our installer will recommend you download and install it.
Note: This is a beta version and may contain bugs. It should be used with non-production data only. Alternatively, ensure that your data is backed up separately.
Should you encounter any issues, please submit feedback through the application. Kindly include logs to facilitate troubleshooting and assist us in improving the application.

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

What’s changingWe're excited to announce beta support for Drive for desktop on Windows 11 devices powered by Snapdragon processors. Compiled natively for ARM64, this release enables users to easily sync and store files online from Windows PCs powered by Snapdragon.

To opt-in to the beta, download and install the beta version of Google Drive for desktop on Arm-compatible Windows 11 device powered by Snapdragon. If you wish to opt-out at any time, disconnect your account and then uninstall the application.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users:

The beta version of Google Drive for desktop can only be installed on devices running Windows 11 and requires Microsoft WebView2, which is typically included with Windows 11. If it is missing or was previously removed, our installer will recommend you download and install it.
Note: This is a beta version and may contain bugs. It should be used with non-production data only. Alternatively, ensure that your data is backed up separately.
Should you encounter any issues, please submit feedback through the application. Kindly include logs to facilitate troubleshooting and assist us in improving the application.

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Now generally available: Policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Vids and Drive

Monday, December 2, 2024

For example, if a user is interacting with a document affected by DLP-enforced information rights management (IRM) and a trust rule, they will see a shield icon and side panel that informs them of the restricted actions.

Policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Vids and Drive

Who’s impacted

End users

Why it matters

With this update, users will be made aware of which actions they are taking that are disabled on a document, spreadsheet, slides or file due to data protection controls.

Getting started

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
End users:

Any user will be able to see policy visualization if relevant restrictions apply to them. Security limitations can be applied by owners of a document, shared drive policies, or admin policies.
A shield icon will automatically appear when security controls are present. Users can open the side panel to view all restrictions, either using the shield icon or by going to File > Security limitations.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about Policy Visualization and the policies themselves:

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 2, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1-3 days for feature visibility) starting on January 6, 2025

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

What’s changing Earlier this year, we introduced a beta for policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive. Today, we’re excited to announce this is now generally available, and as a result, users who are interacting with policy-protected content, such as those with data loss prevention (DLP) rules or trust rules, will now be informed about what actions are prevented by those policies.
For example, if a user is interacting with a document affected by DLP-enforced information rights management (IRM) and a trust rule, they will see a shield icon and side panel that informs them of the restricted actions.

Who’s impactedEnd users

Why it matters With this update, users will be made aware of which actions they are taking that are disabled on a document, spreadsheet, slides or file due to data protection controls.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on December 2, 2024
Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1-3 days for feature visibility) starting on January 6, 2025

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts

Resources

Useful Links

Join the official community for Google Workspace administrators

In the Google Cloud Community, connect with Googlers and other Google Workspace admins like yourself. Participate in product discussions, check out the Community Articles, and learn tips and tricks that will make your work and life easier. Be the first to know what's happening with Google Workspace.

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Learn about more Google Workspace launches

On the “What’s new in Google Workspace?” Help Center page, learn about new products and features launching in Google Workspace, including smaller changes that haven’t been announced on the Google Workspace Updates blog.

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