Editing password-protected Microsoft Office files directly in Google Drive

We're excited to announce a major improvement to Microsoft Office interoperability in Google Workspace: you can now edit Microsoft Office files that are password-protected, directly within Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

When a user attempts to open a protected file in Drive, they will be prompted to enter the password with the option to View or Edit. Selecting “Preview” opens the document in read-only Preview mode without removing the password. New with this launch is the option to Edit, which will open the file for editing in Docs/Sheets/Slides and remove the password from the file.


A user opening a password protected Microsoft Office file in Google Drive

This enables better interoperability between Workspace and Microsoft, allowing users for the first time to edit password protected files directly in Drive. Prior to this, users would have to download and rely on third party applications to remove passwords or edit password protected Microsoft files.

Getting started

Rollout pace

  • Rapid Release domains: Full rollout (1–4 days for feature visibility) starting on January 13, 2026, and ending on January 16, 2026
  • Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1-3 days for feature visibility) starting on January 19, 2026, and ending January 21, 2026

Availability

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

Resources

SecOps data connector now available for Google Workspace for Education Plus and Standard

What’s changing

We’re expanding the availability of the Google Workspace SecOps data connector to customers using Google Workspace for Education Plus and Education Standard. This feature was previously only available for our Enterprise customers.

The SecOps data connector allows you to seamlessly forward all your Google Workspace activity logs (including Gmail, Drive, Calendar, and more) into the Google SecOps platform (formerly Chronicle Security Operations).

This feature is critical for organizations, especially in the education sector, to maintain a strong security posture. By centralizing your Workspace audit data with other security telemetry, you can:

  • Enhance threat detection: Gain a unified view to correlate activity logs across your entire IT environment, making it easier to spot complex or coordinated threats like unauthorized data access, insider threats, and malicious email activity.
  • Improve incident response: Streamline your security workflows. With all data in one place, your security team can investigate incidents faster and automate responses, such as suspending compromised accounts or revoking file access.
  • Meet compliance and auditing needs: Easily maintain a long-term, searchable archive of activity logs to meet regulatory requirements and simplify internal and external audits.
This feature is a powerful, cost-effective way to utilize your existing Google Workspace data to strengthen your overall security and defense strategy.

Getting started

  • Admins: Configure the forwarding of Google Workspace audit logs to the Google SecOps platform in the Admin console. Visit the Help Center to learn more.

Rollout pace

Availability

  • This change impacts the following Google Workspace for Education Standard and Plus editions. Your organization must have an active Google SecOps subscription to utilize this data connector.

Resources