Tag Archives: Google Docs

Use Gemini in Google Docs on Android devices in 20+ languages

What’s changing

We’re excited to bring the power of Gemini in Docs to your Android devices so that you can understand, summarize, and ask questions about documents on mobile. As a result, you can use Gemini to surface insights and key points on-the-go. Plus, Gemini in Docs on Android is available in 20+ languages.
Gemini in the Google Docs app on an Android phone

Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why you’d use it 

Gemini is included in Google Workspace business plans, allowing you to easily work on-the-go without switching apps or downloading a separate AI solution. Now you can use Gemini in Docs on Android devices to: 
  • Get the gist of a long research report with an AI generated summary that you can read on your phone while commuting 
  • Ask Gemini questions about a specific detail buried in a budget document so that you know the answer going into your meeting 
  • Quickly create the first draft of a launch plan with a simple prompt after a team brainstorm while the details are fresh in your mind 

Additional details 

Certain features, such as Help me write, Help me create, and image generation are not available on mobile at this time. 

Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • Access Gemini by tapping on the spark icon on the top app bar. You can then navigate through different actions such as, “summarize this document,” or “suggest improvements” options, or submit a prompt of your own.
    • This feature is only available on Android tablets and phones running Android 8+ 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Google Docs.

Rollout pace 

Availability

Available to Google Workspace: 
  • Business Standard and Plus 
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
  • Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on 
Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature: 
  • Gemini Business* 
  • Gemini Enterprise* 
*As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.

Resources 

Use Gemini in Google Docs on Android devices in 20+ languages

What’s changing

We’re excited to bring the power of Gemini in Docs to your Android devices so that you can understand, summarize, and ask questions about documents on mobile. As a result, you can use Gemini to surface insights and key points on-the-go. Plus, Gemini in Docs on Android is available in 20+ languages.
Gemini in the Google Docs app on an Android phone

Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why you’d use it 

Gemini is included in Google Workspace business plans, allowing you to easily work on-the-go without switching apps or downloading a separate AI solution. Now you can use Gemini in Docs on Android devices to: 
  • Get the gist of a long research report with an AI generated summary that you can read on your phone while commuting 
  • Ask Gemini questions about a specific detail buried in a budget document so that you know the answer going into your meeting 
  • Quickly create the first draft of a launch plan with a simple prompt after a team brainstorm while the details are fresh in your mind 

Additional details 

Certain features, such as Help me write, Help me create, and image generation are not available on mobile at this time. 

Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • Access Gemini by tapping on the spark icon on the top app bar. You can then navigate through different actions such as, “summarize this document,” or “suggest improvements” options, or submit a prompt of your own.
    • This feature is only available on Android tablets and phones running Android 8+ 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Google Docs.

Rollout pace 

Availability

Available to Google Workspace: 
  • Business Standard and Plus 
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
  • Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on 
Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature: 
  • Gemini Business* 
  • Gemini Enterprise* 
*As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.

Resources 

Use suggestions in your client-side encrypted Google Docs

What’s changing 

You can now see suggestions when viewing a client-side encrypted Google Doc. Those with edit access will be able to interact with suggestions, including adding, editing, accepting, and rejecting suggestions. This update adds to existing functionality for client-side encrypted docs, which includes comments and action items. Further, this added functionality helps brings user experience parity to encrypted documents while ensuring your data is behind encryption keys you control, including the identity provider used to access those keys

Suggestions in a client-side encrypted doc


Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

Available to Google Workspace 
  • Enterprise Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
  • Frontline Plus

Resources


Use suggestions in your client-side encrypted Google Docs

What’s changing 

You can now see suggestions when viewing a client-side encrypted Google Doc. Those with edit access will be able to interact with suggestions, including adding, editing, accepting, and rejecting suggestions. This update adds to existing functionality for client-side encrypted docs, which includes comments and action items. Further, this added functionality helps brings user experience parity to encrypted documents while ensuring your data is behind encryption keys you control, including the identity provider used to access those keys

Suggestions in a client-side encrypted doc


Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

Available to Google Workspace 
  • Enterprise Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
  • Frontline Plus

Resources


Available in beta: Edit client-side encrypted Microsoft Word files with Google Docs

What’s changing 

Launching in beta, you can now view and edit client-side encrypted Microsoft Word files in Google Docs. Any changes made are saved in the original Word format. This update makes it easy for you to leverage Google Workspace with the tools and formats you already use while preserving confidentiality of your sensitive data with client-side encryption. 


Eligible Google Workspace admins can use this form to request access to the beta. We’ll share more specific instructions once you’re accepted into the beta.

In Google Docs, navigate to File > Open.



Additional details

Note that with this release:
  • You can only view and edit .docx Word file types. Additional Word file types are not supported.
  • The maximum file size is 20MB.
  • As we continue to improve Office editing in encrypted Google Docs, you may encounter incompatibilities for certain features. Some features may not be displayed and may not be editable, but will be preserved in the document and viewable in Microsoft Office.
  • Other features may be lost or altered in the latest version of the file when it is edited in Google Docs. You will see a notification within the document if editing will cause any features to be lost.


Getting started

Rollout pace

  • The feature will be available immediately once you're accepted into the beta.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace 
  • Enterprise Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
  • Frontline Plus


Available in beta: Edit client-side encrypted Microsoft Word files with Google Docs

What’s changing 

Launching in beta, you can now view and edit client-side encrypted Microsoft Word files in Google Docs. Any changes made are saved in the original Word format. This update makes it easy for you to leverage Google Workspace with the tools and formats you already use while preserving confidentiality of your sensitive data with client-side encryption. 


Eligible Google Workspace admins can use this form to request access to the beta. We’ll share more specific instructions once you’re accepted into the beta.

In Google Docs, navigate to File > Open.



Additional details

Note that with this release:
  • You can only view and edit .docx Word file types. Additional Word file types are not supported.
  • The maximum file size is 20MB.
  • As we continue to improve Office editing in encrypted Google Docs, you may encounter incompatibilities for certain features. Some features may not be displayed and may not be editable, but will be preserved in the document and viewable in Microsoft Office.
  • Other features may be lost or altered in the latest version of the file when it is edited in Google Docs. You will see a notification within the document if editing will cause any features to be lost.


Getting started

Rollout pace

  • The feature will be available immediately once you're accepted into the beta.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace 
  • Enterprise Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
  • Frontline Plus


Available in beta: Edit client-side encrypted Microsoft Word files with Google Docs

What’s changing 

Launching in beta, you can now view and edit client-side encrypted Microsoft Word files in Google Docs. Any changes made are saved in the original Word format. This update makes it easy for you to leverage Google Workspace with the tools and formats you already use while preserving confidentiality of your sensitive data with client-side encryption. 


Eligible Google Workspace admins can use this form to request access to the beta. We’ll share more specific instructions once you’re accepted into the beta.

In Google Docs, navigate to File > Open.



Additional details

Note that with this release:
  • You can only view and edit .docx Word file types. Additional Word file types are not supported.
  • The maximum file size is 20MB.
  • As we continue to improve Office editing in encrypted Google Docs, you may encounter incompatibilities for certain features. Some features may not be displayed and may not be editable, but will be preserved in the document and viewable in Microsoft Office.
  • Other features may be lost or altered in the latest version of the file when it is edited in Google Docs. You will see a notification within the document if editing will cause any features to be lost.


Getting started

Rollout pace

  • The feature will be available immediately once you're accepted into the beta.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace 
  • Enterprise Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
  • Frontline Plus


Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – May 16, 2025

6 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.


Easily connect to BigQuery data using Saved Queries in Connected Sheets 
We’re launching direct access to the BigQuery saved queries feature directly from Connected Sheets. Users can now quickly and easily create a new Connected Sheet by selecting a previously saved query under any project they have access to. | 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. | Learn more about analyzing & refreshing BigQuery data in Google Sheets using Connected Sheets, getting started with BigQuery data in Google Sheets and writing & editing a query.

Scan documents easier using Google Drive on Android devices 
To improve upon the scanning experience in the Google Drive app on Android devices, we’re increasing the size and updating the style of the scan buttons. To scan something, open the Drive app on your Android device > scan a document > edit scan (if desired) > upload to Drive. | Rollout to Rapid Release domains is complete; Rolling out now to Scheduled Release domains, with expected completion by June 30, 2025. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about scanning documents with Google Drive.

Scan documents easier using Google Drive on Android devices

Chat apps can now create spaces with their own identity using the Google Chat API
Last year, we introduced a feature through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program that enables Chat apps to create spaces and memberships - using application identity - via the Google Chat API. This update further enhances Chat apps for real-time collaboration and allows for even more sophisticated and autonomous Chat apps by eliminating the need to create spaces and memberships on behalf of a user. This week, we’re excited to announce that this is now generally available for Google Workspace developers. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to all Google Workspace customers. | Visit the Developer blog to see an example and learn more about what this means for developers. You can also visit our developer documentation to explore how to authenticate and authorize Chat apps, and learn how to create spaces and add space members using application identity.
Chat apps can now create spaces with their own identity using the Google Chat API
Export Gemini responses to a Google Doc or Sheet from Gemini in the side panel of Google Drive
Users can collaborate with Gemini in Google Drive to perform various tasks, such as extracting data, drafting proposals, creating study guides and more. We’re excited to build upon this by giving users the ability to convert Gemini’s response directly into a Sheet or a Doc. After asking Gemini a question, click the ‘Export to Doc’ or ‘Export to Sheet’ button, and you’ll have an artifact that you can continue working on or share with others. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to Business Standard and Plus; Enterprise Standard and Plus; Google One AI Premium; Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on, and anyone who previously purchased a Gemini Business or Gemini Enterprise add-on. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in Google Drive.
Export Gemini responses to a Google Doc or Sheet from the Gemini side panel in Google Drive

Create even more interactive YouTube assignments in Google Classroom
In 2024, we added AI-suggested questions that educators can easily attach to the video based on its content to save educators time. Today, we’re excited to announce that we’re expanding the collection of YouTube videos that have AI-suggested questions available. As a result, educators can create even more interactive YouTube assignments in Classroom more quickly and efficiently, with the help of Gemini. Before assigning the interactive video activity, educators will be able to edit the suggested questions ahead of attaching the YouTube video to the assignment. | Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available for Google Workspace Education Plus and the Teaching and Learning add-on. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about interactive questions for YouTube videos in Google Classroom.

Your users can now express interest in upgrading their Google Workspace subscription 
We’re introducing a simple way for Workspace end users to request an upgraded edition of Google Workspace from their admins. To send this request, Workspace end users will see a path to request an upgraded Workspace edition including additional Gemini features when they interact with Gemini, such as with the Gemini icon displayed across Workspace apps. This interaction will provide an end user a path to complete a request form for an upgraded Workspace edition. Super admins will receive this request by email, and from there they can choose to upgrade their Workspace subscription directly in the Admin console. | Admins can disable these requests at any time in the Admin console by going to Account > Account Settings > Gemini for Google Workspace, and deselecting the ‘User-requested upgrades’ setting — use this article in our Help Center for more information. | Please note this is only available for customers in the US and India with fewer than 300 licenses. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Learn more about Gemini for Workspace, including our recent Gemini for Workspace announcements.

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.

Use Gemini in Drive to interact with folders in 20+ additional languages
Last year, we added folder support to Gemini in the side panel of Google Drive. This week, we’re excited to announce this experience is now available in 20+ languages. | Learn more about language availability for Gemini in Drive. 

Use Gemini in Google Sheets to quickly add dropdowns, pivot tables, filters, and more 
Analyzing and manipulating data in spreadsheets can be complex and time-consuming, even for experienced users. This week, we're introducing powerful new editing options within Gemini in Sheets that are designed to help everyone accomplish more, faster. | Learn more about Gemini in Sheets. 

Google Workspace apps for Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Calendar, Keep, and Tasks are now generally available for the Gemini app 
Earlier this year, we launched Google Workspace apps (formerly known as "extensions") in Gemini in open beta. When enabled, Gemini can reference and incorporate data from these apps to generate even more informed and relevant responses, bringing Gemini’s capabilities more seamlessly into your daily workflows, helping enhance productivity. Workspace apps are available for: Calendar, Docs, Drive, Gmail, Keep, Tasks. | Learn more about Workspace apps in the Gemini app. 

Extract and categorize data in AppSheet with the power of Gemini 
At Google Cloud Next 2025, we introduced Gemini in AppSheet solutions for AppSheet Enterprise Plus users. Now you can automatically extract key information from uploaded photos, parse through complex PDFs, or even categorize, route and prioritize incoming requests based on their content – all seamlessly within your existing AppSheet apps. The new AI Task (Preview) feature, powered by Gemini, makes this a reality. | Learn more about Gemini in AppSheet. 

Upcoming Changes to Microsoft Exchange Migrations 
Beginning May 31, 2025, the legacy Data Migration Service will no longer support migrating email, calendar, and contact data from Microsoft Exchange on-premises servers (e.g., Exchange 2010, 2013, or 2016). Admins will not be able to start new migrations after May 31, 2025 – migrations that are in progress will continue until completion. | Learn more about changes to Microsoft Exchange Migrations.

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).

Google Workspace apps for Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Calendar, Keep, and Tasks are now generally available for the Gemini app

What’s changing

Earlier this year, we launched Google Workspace apps (formerly known as "extensions") in Gemini in open beta. When enabled, Gemini can reference and incorporate data from these apps to generate even more informed and relevant responses, bringing Gemini’s capabilities more seamlessly into your daily workflows, helping enhance productivity. Workspace apps are available for:

  • Calendar
  • Docs
  • Drive
  • Gmail
  • Keep
  • Tasks

Beginning today, we’re pleased to announce that extensions for these apps are now generally available.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why you’d use them

When enabled, Gemini can interact with other Google apps and services to provide more contextual and relevant responses to your prompts and take certain actions across apps. For example, you can:

  • Gmail: ask what dates were proposed in the email about the team offsite.
  • Drive: find the document about the website clean-up project and summarize the proposal in a few bullet points.
  • Docs: reference a Doc that outlines your target audiences while performing customer research in parallel. 
  • Calendar: create an event based on specific details or based on the conversation with the Gemini app, find events for a specific day or date range, modify events in Calendar.
  • Tasks: add reminders and tasks, including those based on your conversations with Gemini, or view and update a list of your tasks.
  • Keep: create notes and lists, add items to an existing list, find content from your notes and lists, and reference your notes and lists in conversion with Gemini.

Additional details

  • Context aware access support:
    • Like all Google apps, context-access aware policies can be applied to the Gemini app. Note that at the moment, CAA policies can only be applied to Gemini on the web, they cannot be applied on mobile.
    • If these policies are not met, users will not be allowed to access Gemini.
    • If a user meets the Gemini app specific CAA policies, they can interact with Gemini. If a prompt requires access to Workspace data, CAA policies will determine if a user has access to the requested data. For example, if a user asks Gemini "What are my unread emails?", they will see the requested content if they have access or they’ll receive an error message.

  • If your prompt includes multiple actions that require separate apps or services, but one or more of the required services are not enabled, neither of the actions will be completed. For example, if you prompt Gemini to create an event on your calendar and a reminder for that event but the Tasks extension is not enabled, the event will not be added to your calendar and you will not get a reminder.

  • Google Workspace extensions are not available to Google Workspace users accessing Gemini as an additional Google service.

  • Google Workspace extensions are only available to users 13+.

  • All prompts, responses, or content the Gemini app gets via apps (fka extensions), is not reviewed by anyone to improve AI models, not used to train AI models, and not shared with other users or institutions.

Getting started

  • Admins: Access to Workspace apps is controlled by the new “Allow access to Workspace apps after Beta (upcoming general availability)” setting. Access is ON by default unless you previously took action on the setting leading into general availability. Visit the Help Center for more information on turning Workspace apps in Gemini on or off.

  • End users: If enabled by your admin, connecting Google Workspace allows users to summarize, get quick answers, and find information from Calendar, Keep and Tasks in addition to Gmail, Docs, and Drive directly in Gemini. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google Workspace extensions.

Rollout pace



Availability

Available for Google Workspace:
  • Business Starter, Standard, Plus
  • Enterprise Starter, Standard, Plus
  • Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus
  • Frontline Starter and Standard
  • Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Nonprofits

Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:
  • Gemini Business*
  • Gemini Enterprise*
  • Gemini Education
  • Gemini Education Premium
*As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.

Availability

Enhance Your Organization’s Security with Out-of-Domain File Warnings in Google Workspace

What’s changing

Today we’re launching Out-of-Domain file-level warnings, now publicly available to all Google Workspace users. Specifically, a badge will be displayed on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files when the file is owned by or shared with someone outside of your domain. You'll also see a pop-up with more details and the option to report the externally owned file for abuse. 

An image showing a Google Doc with the word "External" displayed in a small yellow badge next to the document title. The badge has been clicked, and a pop-up window appears with more information stating that “This document is owned by someone outside your organization. Be cautious about sharing sensitive information
Image of "External" badge displayed in Google Docs


This feature helps users identify potentially risky files and avoid phishing scams when working with files shared from outside your organization.


Additional details

  • Known Limitations:
    • For externally shared content, the badge will not be displayed if any internal Google Groups have access to the document, even if these groups have external members.
    • If any service accounts have access to the document, the External badge will be displayed, even if the service account is owned internally.


Getting started

Screenshot of the Google Workspace Admin console, navigated to Sharing settings. At the bottom of the page, a new section labeled "Highlight external files" is highlighted. The checkbox is checked, and the description reads: "Mark external files shared or owned externally as “external” to flag that content may be viewable outside your organization.
 Image of the Google Workspace Admin console, Sharing settings, showing the "Highlight external files" option enabled


Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available for all Google Workspace customers, as well as Cloud Identity customers

Resources