New dynamic data source support for dropdowns in Google Chat apps

Developers can now build more robust and efficient Google Chat apps using dynamic data sources for dropdown menus. With this update, developers can connect dropdowns to external data sources that query and filter results in real-time as a user types, addressing previous scalability issues caused by dropdown menus being limited to static lists of options. This is particularly useful for workflows that require selecting from thousands of possibilities—such as assigning a ticket in a project management tool or selecting a specific file from a large database.


Key benefits include:

  • Improved searchability: Users can now use fuzzy search to find the correct option quickly, rather than scrolling through long lists or using "find" browser commands.
  • Faster performance: By querying data dynamically, apps avoid the latency issues associated with loading massive static lists.
  • Consistent user experience: The dropdown interface now supports search-as-you-type for both static and remote data sources, providing a smoother experience across all platforms, including web, Android, and iOS.
Developers can also specify a minimum number of characters to trigger a search, ensuring that queries are only sent when enough information has been provided to return relevant results.

Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature.
  • Developers: Developers can implement this by reviewing the updated Chat app developer documentation.

Rollout pace

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and Workspace Individual subscribers

Resources