What’s changing
Client-side encryption now has full General Availability support for Google Sheets. This includes import, export, and decryption, Office editing mode, export with Vault/Takeout, and client-side conversions to Microsoft Office Excel.
This helps our clients with compliance standards including ediscovery and data portability. For customers who work with Microsoft file formats, they now have full interoperability with their client-side encrypted Sheets.
Getting started
- Admins: This feature will be available by default for organizations with Client-side encryption set up, and can be configured at the OU level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using the Data Export tool or Google Vault to export encrypted Sheets files from Google Workspace, the decrypter tool to decrypt the exported files, and converting exported and decrypted Google files to Microsoft Office files, , or Learn how to work with encrypted Excel files in Drive.
- End users: No action needed. Use our Help Center to learn how to get started with encrypted files in Drive, Docs, Sheets & Slides, and how to work with Office files using Office editing.
Convert an existing file into an encrypted file via ‘Make a Copy’ menu option.
An encrypted Excel file opened with Google Sheets, with the option to download and decrypt.
The converter tool, which enables conversions of exported Google Sheets files into Microsoft Office format.
Rollout pace
- Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 4, 2025
- Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on September 18, 20205
Availability
Available for Google Workspace customers with
- Enterprise Plus
- Education Standard and Plus
- Frontline Plus
Resources
- Google Workspace Admin Help: About client-side encryption
- Google Workspace Admin Help: Convert exported and decrypted Google files to Microsoft Office files
- Google Workspace Admin Help: Vault export contents
- Google Help: Get started with encrypted files in Drive, Docs, Sheets & Slides
- Google Help: Work with Office files using Office editing