Google Workspace Weekly Recap – September 11, 2026

Use custom web fonts in Google Sheets charts

Google Sheets now supports the full Google Fonts web font library directly within charts. Users can now select “More fonts” from any font dropdown inside the chart editor sidebar to search, add, and apply custom web fonts across key chart text elements. | Learn more.

Introducing the new 1Password App for Google Chat

Introducing the new 1Password App for Google Chat Google Chat Rapid Release Scheduled Release The new 1Password SaaS Manager integration for Google Chat helps teams streamline IT and HR processes by bringing notifications, actions  and approvals directly within Chat. | Learn more.

Context-aware access controls are available for Gemini Enterprise in the Admin console

Context-aware access controls are available for Gemini Enterprise in the Admin console Admin console Gemini Rapid Release Scheduled Release Security and Compliance To help organizations elevate their security posture, we are introducing context-aware access (CAA) policies in the Admin console for Gemini Enterprise. | Learn more.

Pick up where you left off with persistent drafts in Google Chat

We are introducing persistent drafts in Google Chat. Unsent messages are now automatically saved so you can finish and send later, and are also synchronized across your devices, allowing you to start composing a message on one device and finish or send it from another. | Learn more.

Create content, schedule events, and coordinate tasks across Workspace regardless of what app you are in

Completing a single task shouldn't mean breaking your focus or switching apps. To keep you in the flow of work, Gemini can tackle complex tasks behind the scenes, working as an intelligent orchestrator across Workspace using the power of Workspace Intelligence. | Learn more.

Automatic room check-in for Google Meet available on mobile devices

We’re excited to announce that this feature is now rolling out to all Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware. This feature simplifies the process of joining meetings for those using companion mode on a phone or tablet within a conference room. We're introducing automatic room check-in via ultrasound proximity detection. | Learn more.

Create and edit calculated fields in Google Sheets pivot tables with an improved editor

We are introducing a new, dedicated formula editor dialog for creating and editing calculated fields within pivot tables in Google Sheets. This update streamlines how you build custom formulas and derived metrics, making data analysis faster and more accurate. | Learn more.

Doubled cell limits in Google Sheets now generally available

We’re committed to continuously improving Sheets to ensure it is a powerful, responsive, and scalable spreadsheet tool for your needs. To that end, we’ve increased the cell limit in Google Sheets from up to 10 million cells to up to 20 million cells. This limit applies to new, existing, and imported files. | Learn more.

Manage external sharing for Gemini Notebook in the Admin console

Google Workspace administrators can now enable external sharing for Gemini Notebook using granular controls in the Admin console. Previously, administrators only had a single high-level toggle to turn Gemini Notebook completely on or off for their entire organization. | Learn more.

Gemini in Google Sheets is now available on Android devices

Building upon the power of Gemini in Sheets on the web, we’re excited to announce that you can now use Gemini in Google Sheets on your Android device to quickly analyze and understand your data while on the go. | Learn more.

The Gemini desktop app is now available for Windows

Today, we’re launching the Gemini desktop app for Windows 10 and 11. This new application is designed to operate seamlessly alongside users’ favorite tools, providing instant assistance without disrupting their workflows. | Learn more.

Seamlessly import your team and data from Microsoft to Google Workspace during setup

We’re excited to announce the GA release of a new, simplified way for small businesses to import their users and their business data from Microsoft while setting up Google Workspace with our data import tool. | Learn more.

The announcements above were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Seamlessly import your team and data from Microsoft to Google Workspace during setup

We’re excited to announce the GA release of a new, simplified way for small businesses to import their users and their business data from Microsoft while setting up Google Workspace with our data import tool.

This new feature allows these businesses and educational institutions to copy their existing Microsoft users, along with their emails, OneDrive files, calendar events, contacts and tasks, into Google Workspace. You can start the import in 2 simple steps:

  • Connect to your Microsoft business account using global admin credentials
  • (Optional) Exclude any users or types of data that you don’t want to import

Once you connect to Microsoft, our data import tool identifies users in your Microsoft account and prepares to add them and their data to your new Google Workspace account. This feature significantly reduces the time and effort required to switch from Microsoft, helping you get your organization up and running quickly.



Additional details

  • You can now import up to 10 Microsoft users and their data automatically through this new feature. Visit the Help Center to learn how to import more than 10 users from Microsoft.
  • You can import users and data only after completing your domain verification and MX activation. The data import process runs in the background while you can continue with your Workspace setup.
  • This process is only applicable if you're on a Flexible Plan. If you're on an Annual/Fixed-Term Plan, you must add more licenses before importing users. Visit the Help Center to learn how to add licenses or change purchase cap.

Getting started

  • Admins: This feature will be available in the setup process for Google Workspace. Once you’ve verified your domain and activated your email records, you will find an option to import your users from Microsoft to Google Workspace before completing the setup. Visit the Help Center to learn more about importing business data during setup.
  • End users: This feature is for admins only.

Rollout pace

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers

Resources

The Gemini desktop app is now available for Windows

Today, we’re launching the Gemini desktop app for Windows 10 and 11. This new application is designed to operate seamlessly alongside users’ favorite tools, providing instant assistance without disrupting their workflows.

The Gemini app for Windows provides users with a variety of ways to enhance their productivity directly from their desktop:

  • The Alt + Space keyboard shortcut brings Gemini over active work for quick tasks, like fact-checking a document or brainstorming presentation titles.
  • Users can ask Gemini to draft project summaries using information pulled directly from Google Workspace apps like Gmail and Google Drive.
  • Users can bring creative concepts to life by generating custom images with Nano Banana directly from their desktop.

This launch marks the beginning of Gemini app’s native desktop capabilities for Windows, with more features planned to roll out over time.


Getting started

  • Admins: This feature is ON by default for all organizations with Gemini enabled. The Gemini app and related in-app tools are controlled by the Generative AI settings in the Workspace Admin console. This feature is subject to these existing controls. Visit the Help Center for more information on turning the Gemini app on or off.
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Download the Google Gemini app today at gemini.google/desktop. Visit the Help Center to learn more.

Rollout pace

Availability

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

Resources

Long Term Support Channel Update for ChromeOS

A new LTS-144  version 144.0.7559.262(Platform Version: 16503.95.0), is being rolled out for most ChromeOS devices. 


This version includes selected security fixes including:


497869284 Medium CVE-2026-79010 Operation on a resource after expiration or release in Network

553770012 Critical CVE-2026-87628 Use after free in Cast

517550232 High CVE-2026-78934 Race condition in ReadAloud

553117928 High CVE-2026-84325 Improper input validation in DataTransfer

513608831 Medium CVE-2026-79122 Information leak in SignIn

525317502 High CVE-2026-15772 Use after free in GPU on Android via GLTextureHolder::ReadbackToMemory

517309206 High CVE-2026-11688 Object lifecycle issue in SVG

536666274 High CVE-2026-19167 Integer overflow in GPU

548130125 Critical CVE-2026-87527 Buffer overflow in WebGL

Release notes for LTS-144 can be found here 

Want to know more about Long-term Support? Click here

Andy Wu

Google Chrome OS

Understanding Wi-Fi technology, bandwidth, and wireless router functionality

Have you ever wondered how Wi-Fi makes it possible to connect to the internet without any wires at all? Wi-Fi is often an abstract concept, but we think it’s important that you understand what it is and exactly how it works — so you can make the most of your wireless connection.

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What is Wi-Fi and how bandwidth standards affect network traffic?

Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to give you internet access. Through Wi-Fi, you can connect devices within a limited range like in your home, office or a coffee shop — all without a wired ethernet cord.

You can think of your Wi-Fi like a highway. Similar to a highway, Wi-Fi is made up of a network of roads that allow data to travel from one place to another. The wider and more lanes there are on a highway, the more traffic it can handle. Likewise, the more bandwidth your Wi-Fi has, the more traffic (or data packets) it can support. The amount of bandwidth your Wi-Fi can support will largely depend on which Wi-Fi technology your device is equipped with — like Wi-Fi 5, 6 or 6E.



What are data packets and how do they transmit digital information?

When you’re playing an online game or downloading files to your laptop, you are doing that through data packets. Data packets are small units of data transmitted over a network. You can think of them like vehicles on the internet highway.

These packets contain information such as text, images, videos and more. They move along the internet highway guided by specific addresses and routes (like your gaming console) to reach their destinations. In the same way larger trucks might travel more slowly on a highway, the bigger the data packet, the slower it might travel.

How a Wi-Fi router connects local network devices to the internet

Your Wi-Fi router allows your devices to access the internet, and to send and receive data. It acts like an exit ramp on the internet highway, connecting your devices to the broader internet by using wireless signals. Your router makes sure the data packets from your devices know how to enter and exit the local network and connect to the right lanes on the highway.





Configuring router settings, traffic prioritization, and signal range

Your router's settings allow you to control various aspects of your network. You can specify which devices have priority (like HOV lanes), set up firewalls (like roadblocks) and manage the overall flow of data (like controlling the speed limit).

You should keep in mind that Wi-Fi routers have a limited range — like how an onramp can only serve a certain area. The strength of the wireless signals gets weaker as you move farther away from the router.

Identifying network congestion and Wi-Fi performance slowdowns

Lastly, we’ll go over why you might sometimes experience slower speeds than usual. In the same way a highway can experience traffic congestion, your Wi-Fi network may slow down when too many devices are using it at once. This is because the data packets (vehicles) have to share the available bandwidth (lanes), leading to slower speeds. To learn how you can maximize your Wi-Fi speeds, check out our other blog post.

Now that you’ve learned the ins and outs of Wi-Fi and how it gets your devices online, we hope you’re able to use this knowledge to drive safely and have a smooth commute on the internet superhighway.

Gemini in Google Sheets is now available on Android devices

Building upon the power of Gemini in Sheets on the web, we’re excited to announce that you can now use Gemini in Google Sheets on your Android device to quickly analyze and understand your data while on the go.

Simply tap on the Gemini spark icon, and you can ask questions about your data, generate analytical insights, and create charts. To help you get started, we've included suggested prompts such as “Summarize this table,” and “Analyze for insights.”




(Please note: Mobile capabilities are currently focused on data analysis and insights. To perform complex edits, formatting actions, or generate formulas, please use Gemini in Google Sheets on the web).

Getting started

  • Admins: There is no specific admin control for this mobile feature beyond the general Gemini for Google Workspace enablement at the domain/OU level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about managing Gemini access.
  • End users: This feature will be available by default for eligible users. To access it, open a compatible spreadsheet on your Android device and tap the Ask Gemini icon. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Gemini in Google Sheets.

Rollout pace

Availability

  • Business: Business Standard and Plus
  • Enterprise: Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Education: Google AI Pro for Education
  • Consumer: Google AI Pro and Ultra

Resources

Manage external sharing for Gemini Notebook in the Admin console

Google Workspace administrators can now enable external sharing for Gemini Notebook using granular controls in the Admin console. Previously, administrators only had a single high-level toggle to turn Gemini Notebook completely on or off for their entire organization. This update introduces four sharing options, allowing administrators to empower their organization’s sharing workflows. These settings can be enabled at the domain, organizational unit (OU), or group level, providing some flexibility for distinct sets of users.

The options include:

  • Off: Users cannot share notebooks with anyone outside the domain. This is the default setting.
  • Trusted Domains: Users can share notebooks externally, but sharing is strictly restricted to email addresses within a specified allowlist of trusted domains.
  • On: Users can share notebooks with any external email address.
  • On with public notebook sharing: Users can create and share public notebooks with anyone with a link. Individual emails do not need to be added as a sharee.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers

Resources

Doubled cell limits in Google Sheets now generally available

We’re committed to continuously improving Sheets to ensure it is a powerful, responsive, and scalable spreadsheet tool for your needs. To that end, we’ve increased the cell limit in Google Sheets from up to 10 million cells to up to 20 million cells. This limit applies to new, existing, and imported files.

Whether you are building a new spreadsheet from scratch, expanding an existing workbook, or importing large datasets from Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) or CSV files, Google Sheets now supports up to 20 million cells per spreadsheet.

Coming soon, we also plan to increase the file byte size limit for imported spreadsheets, making it easier to bring extensive datasets from other spreadsheet formats directly into Google Sheets.

Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
  • End users: There is no end-user setting for this feature. The expanded limit will apply automatically when creating, expanding, or importing spreadsheets.

Rollout pace

Availability

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

Resources