Category Archives: Apps Feed Blog

The feed from the Google Apps team

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

What’s changing

Since 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” 
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 


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

What’s changing

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

Rollout pace

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

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. 
help me create in Google Docs

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 


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 

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

What’s changing

We 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. 
new templates in Docs

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 

Rollout pace 

Availability

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

Resources 

Introducing Gemini Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI™)

What’s changing

We’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

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

Create and manage rubrics using the Google Classroom API

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. 

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:

Rollout pace 

  • Available now. 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
  • Education Plus 

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – December 6, 2024

3 New updates

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

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: 

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

What's changing

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. 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



Getting started

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

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

What’s changing

Earlier 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

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.

Request an eSignature on PDF files

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



Rollout pace


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