Tag Archives: Google Slides

Create original images from text within Google Slides

This announcement was made at Google Cloud Next ‘23. Visit the Workspace Blog to learn more about the next wave of AI innovation in Workspace. This feature is exclusive to the Duet AI for Google Workspace Enterprise add-on.

What’s changing

In addition to the recently introduced feature that helps users create with pre-designed branded templates in Google Slides, we’re giving you the ability to generate compelling visuals for presentations through the power of Duet AI for Google Workspace. 


By simply typing a few words in Help me visualize, you can easily create original images for your presentations. 


Whether you’re a creative agency developing early campaign concepts for a client or a consulting firm enhancing your annual planning proposal, this feature empowers everyone, regardless of artistic skill, to create unique, AI-generated images that help communicate ideas more impactfully, with less effort. 
Create original images from text within Google Slides


Who’s impacted 

End users 

Why it matters 

This feature exemplifies a dynamic new way of working that embeds the power of generative AI in Slides by enabling you to bring your creative vision to life with custom auto-generated images. 

Getting started 

  • Admins: This feature will be ON by default and there is no admin control for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Duet AI for Google Workspace Enterprise.
  • End users: 
    • To add an image, go to Insert > Image > Help me visualize or tap the Help me visualize icon in the toolbar > go to the sidebar> type in an image description (optionally select a style for your image) > click Create > then, you will see generated options > select the one you like and it will be added to your slide. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about creating images with Duet AI in Google Slides. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

Resources 

View speaker notes while co-presenting Google Slides in Google Meet

What’s changing

Earlier this year, we added a new feature that allows multiple people to present a Google Slides presentation together in Meet. Starting today, co-presenters are now also able to view speaker notes. 
View speaker notes while co-presenting Google Slides in Google Meet

Who’s impacted 

End users 


Why it’s important 

Primary and co-presenters can now read from the same speaker notes while engaging with their audience during a presentation. This allows everyone to present with greater confidence and reduces context switching between Meet and Slides. 


Additional details 

This feature requires a computer with a Google Chrome or Edge browser. 


Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • As the main presenter: 
      • To start a presentation, select “present a tab” in Meet > “start slideshow”. 
      • To add a co-presenter, select "Add co-presenter" in the people panel drop down menus. 
      • To view speaker notes, click the speaker notes button in the controls at the bottom corner of the presentation. 
    • As a co-presenter: 
      • You’ll be notified that the primary presenter assigned you as a co-presenter. 
      • You’ll get control over the Slides presentation, allowing you to navigate the deck for everyone in the meeting. 
      • To view speaker notes, click the speaker notes button in the controls at the bottom corner of the presentation. 
        • Note: co-presenters must have edit access to the Slides presentation in order to view speaker notes 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about co-presenting Slides in Google Meet. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

  • Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, the Teaching & Learning Upgrade, and Workspace Individual customers 

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – August 18, 2023

2 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.


Get started with smart canvas in Google Sheets 
When opening a new spreadsheet or tab in Google Sheets, you will now see “Type @ to insert” to help you start using the smart canvas features available in Sheets. 
Get started with smart canvas in Google Sheets

A new look for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps on Android devices 
We’re introducing a modernized visual design for the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps on Android devices. In the coming weeks, Android users will notice a refreshed look for things like the editing toolbar, icons, background colors, and more. 
A new look for Google Docs on Android devices
Refreshed visual design of Google Docs app

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.


Programmatically read and write working locations with the Calendar API, now generally available 
Previously available in beta through our Developer Preview Program, the ability to read and write a user’s working location using the Calendar API is now generally available. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade and Nonprofits customers, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers only. | Learn more about Calendar API. 

Google Voice users can manage incoming calls across individuals and groups 
Admins can now designate specific Voice users as managers of a ring group, allowing them to make changes from voice.google.com instead of the Admin console. | Available to Google Voice Starter, Standard and Premier customers only. | Learn more about managing incoming calls. 

Resolve conflict accounts faster with the new Conflict Accounts Management tool 
We’re introducing an automated workflow to help reduce the manual effort needed to turn unmanaged accounts into managed accounts. Unmanaged accounts are users who independently created a Google account using one of your organization's domains. | Learn more about the new Conflict Accounts Management tool. 


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: 

Add annotations to your presentations in Google Slides

What’s changing

We’re introducing a feature that lets you highlight or emphasize key content while you present in Google Slides. With the new pen tool, you can circle, underline, draw connections or make quick notes directly on your presentation. 


Whether in a board meeting or a brainstorming session, annotations can help make your presentations more engaging, interactive and impactful. 
Add annotations to your presentations in Google Slides

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • To annotate your Slides presentation, ​​open ‘slideshow mode’ by clicking the ‘Slideshow’ button in the appbar > mouse over the bottom-left side of the viewer and open the three dot menu by clicking on the ellipsis icon >select “Turn on the pen”. 
    • To erase annotations, use the eraser tool in the bottom left viewer menu. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about presenting slides. 

 Rollout pace 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

Expanding branding and customization capabilities in Google Slides and Google Forms

What’s changing

You can now more easily and quickly create with high-quality, pre-designed branded templates and themes in Google Slides and Forms. 

Once an admin distributes branded materials to users in their domain, they will have access to: 
  • A domain template with a variety of branded slides, layouts, images, colors and fonts that will appear when creating a new presentation in Slides. 
  • A domain theme including fonts, branded colors and a header image that you can use when creating a new form or editing an existing form in Forms. 
Domain template in Slides
Domain template in Slides

Domain theme in Forms
Domain theme in Forms

Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why you’d use it 

These features enhance brand consistency across an organization. 


Additional details 

Admins have the ability to assign a domain template to all users in the organization, or specify particular templates for certain workgroups. 


Getting started 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus 

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – June 30, 2023

3 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace customers.


Revamping the "First Open Experience" in Sheets and Slides on Android devices 
In addition to the recent announcement that documents on tablet and foldables will now be in paginated mode upon first open, there will now be a more creation-focused experience when first opening the Sheets and Slides apps on Android devices. For example:

In the Sheets app, there will be larger tap targets and tapping once exposes the formula bar, tab bar, and a contextual formatting toolbar. 
Revamping the "First Open Experience" in Sheets
In the Slides app, you will now see the filmstrip on the left-hand side and selecting an object exposes the contextual toolbar and an on-screen keyboard. 
Revamping the "First Open Experience" in Slides on Android devices

Paste HTML into document on Android 
In continuing our mission to provide a top-class user experience on large screen devices, we’re introducing the ability for users to paste copied HTML elements into a document on Android. You can now copy HTML elements to clipboard and paste the elements into a Doc, all while maintaining the formatting elements. 


Easily duplicate groups and objects in Google Sites 
Currently, Google Site editors can duplicate a section of their Site, and the duplicated section appears directly below the section it was duplicated from. Starting this week, we’re extending the duplicate feature by enabling you to easily duplicate objects (images, buttons, text boxes) and groups when editing a Site. | Learn more about adding or editing text & images in Google Sites. 
Easily duplicate groups and objects in Google Sites


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.


Quickly access more features during meetings, available for Google Meet on the web 
We’ve introduced a new quick action to access popular features in Google Meet. By hovering the mouse on top of your own video feed, you can access video effects such as immersive backgrounds or fun filters to bring more fun to your meetings and a reframing option to improve your visibility. | Learn more about features in Google Meet. 

Apply background blur when joining a call using a virtual desktop 
If you’re using a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to join a Google Meet meeting, you can now use background blur and light adjustment. Background blur will intelligently separate you from the background, blurring your surroundings while keeping you clear and in focus. | Available to Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, and Individual customers only. | Learn more about background blur in Google Meet. 

Google Sheets now integrated with mail merge in Gmail 
Mail merge will support Google Sheets in the web version of Gmail. This integration will allow you to link a Sheet with up to 1,500 recipients and use any data column from your Sheet as a mail merge tag. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus customers and Nonprofits only. | Learn more about mail merge with Sheets in Gmail. 

Simplified access controls coming to Google Meet beginning July 17, 2023 
We’re introducing simplified controls for meeting access in Google Meet. These will replace the existing Quick access meeting settings and the admin setting to turn Quick access on or off by default will be removed. This update will begin rolling out on July 17, 2023. | Learn more about access controls coming to Google Meet. 

Use polls or Q&As during Google Meet live streams 
If you’re live streaming a video meeting, meeting hosts can now enable the Q&A and poll features, which previously were only offered in traditional Meet meetings. Expanding these features to live streamed meetings will help take your meetings to the next level with a more feature-rich, collaborative experience. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Plus, Enterprise Standard, Education Plus, and the Teaching and Learning upgrade customers. | Learn more about polls and Q&As during Google Meet live streams. 

Making focus time more productive with new Google Calendar setting 
To increase concentration and bridge the gap between do not disturb and focus time, you can now mute notifications for the duration of your focus time directly in Calendar. | Available to Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Business Standard, Business Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, and Nonprofits only. | Learn more about the new Google Calendar setting. 

See read receipts for messages in Google Chat group direct messages 
We’re introducing read receipts in group direct messages. With this feature, you can now quickly identify if other members of a group have read your latest message within a Chat stream. | Learn more about read receipts in Google Chat.

Improvements for client-side encryption in Gmail 
We’ve introduced two new features for client-side encryption in Gmail which will help you quickly identify ineligible recipients and any attachments that may be blocked. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard customers. | Learn more about client-side encryption in Gmail.


Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog post for additional details.


Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – June 16, 2023

4 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace customers.



Get more granular views of Google Slides with new zoom settings 
You can now customize your views in Google Slides with new custom zoom settings that give you the ability to input your desired zoom percent or use the preset zoom percentages in the drop-down menu at the top of your presentation. | Learn more about zooming or changing your document view. 
Get more granular views of Google Slides with new zoom settings

Expanding Google Drive log events to additional Google Workspace editions 
Drive log events, a feature that enables admins to access an audit and investigation page to run searches related to Drive log events, is now available for Google Workspace Business Starter and Essentials Starter editions. | Learn more about Drive log events. 

Expanding originality reports in Google Classroom to Microsoft Word files 
Educators can now run Google Classroom originality reports on Microsoft Word files (.docx) to check their students' work for authenticity. The tool will identify uncited content and plagiarism by comparing a file against webpages and books on the internet. | Learn more about turning on originality reports.

Adding rich text formatting to comments in Google Classroom 
Rich text formatting is now available for class and private comments in Google Classroom, enabling teachers and students to customize and add emphasis to their content. This highly requested feature includes bolding, underlining, italicizing, and bulleted lists. | Learn more about bold, italicize, and underline text. 
Adding rich text formatting to comments in Google Classroom


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.



Experience better collaboration in conference rooms with new support for whiteboard cameras on Google Meet Hardware 
To improve upon the whiteboarding experience, provide better meeting inclusion, and foster greater collaboration, we’re excited to announce support for whiteboard cameras on Google Meet Hardware, with Logitech Scribe as the first supported camera. | Learn more about support for whiteboard cameras on Google Meet Hardware. 

Use Directory Sync to replace the domain name for synced users 
Using Directory Sync, admins can automatically replace the domain name for synced users and groups in their Google Cloud directory. This means synced Google users and groups can have a different domain name than the domain used in the external directory following a sync. | Learn more about replacing the domain name for synced users. 

Add or remove client-side encryption from a Google Sheets and Google Slides files 
You can now simply add or remove client-side encryption to existing spreadsheets in Google Sheets or presentations in Google Slides. This update gives you the flexibility to control encryption as your documents and projects evolve and progress. This feature is already available for Google Docs. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus customers only. | Learn more about client-side encryption in Sheets and Slides. 

Improving table placements in Google Docs 
We improved table positioning options for documents set in pages format. These features add more flexibility and control over the layout of text with tables in Docs. Learn more about table placements in Google Docs. 

View more insights and take quick action via the Chrome Browser Cloud Management home card in the Admin console 
In addition to the existing cards in the Admin console landing page such as “Users” or “Billing”, we’ve added a card for Chrome Browser Cloud Management. Here you can see quick stats, such as the number of enrolled browsers, and directly perform actions such as enrolling new browsers or managing Chrome extensions. | Learn more about the Chrome Browser Cloud Management home card. 

Pull rich data from apps directly into Google Docs with third-party smart chips 
We’re excited to share that third-party smart chips in Docs are now generally available for all users. Since introducing third-party smart chips, developers have been able to build app integrations. Several partners have already created smart chips so users can start embedding content from those apps directly into Docs. | Learn more about third-party smart chips in Google Docs.


Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog post for additional details.


Rapid Release Domains:

Add or remove client-side encryption from Google Sheets and Google Slides files

What’s changing 

You can now simply add or remove client-side encryption to existing spreadsheets in Google Sheets or presentations in Google Slides. This update gives you the flexibility to control encryption as your documents and projects evolve and progress. This feature is already available for Google Docs. 


In Google Sheets or Slides, navigate to File > Make a copy > Add/Remove additional encryption.




Getting started 


Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus customers 

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – June 2, 2023

1 New update

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace customers.


Additional updates for the Google Docs, Sheets and Slides apps on Android devices
In continuing our efforts to improve the Google Workspace experience on large screen Android devices, we’re adding the following updates:
  • The ability to access a vertical context menu when you use mouse right-clicking in the Google Docs and Slides apps.
docs-vertical-context-menu
Sheets Android - Formula Keyboard Improvements



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.


More call performance data in the Google Voice audit logs
You’ll now see specific per-call performance information, including: Round Trip Time, Packet Loss per 1000 and Jitter. | Available only to Google Workspace customers who can use the security investigation tool. | Learn more about call performance data in the Google Voice audit logs.


Expanded actions in the Admin console space management tool 
We’re giving admins the ability to delete individual spaces and remove individual members from a space. | Learn more about expanded actions in the Admin console space management tool.


Existing spaces organized by conversation topic will be upgraded to the new in-line threaded experience by Q4 2023
All existing spaces organized by conversation topic will be upgraded to the in-line threaded experience. We anticipate that this upgrade will take place in early Q4 2023. | Learn more about the new in-line threaded experience. 


See the top search results first in Gmail on mobile
When searching in Gmail, machine learning models will use the search term, most recent emails and other relevant factors to show you the results that best match your search query. | Learn more about the improved search experience in Gmail on mobile. 


Plan, organize, and analyze assignments and grades with grading periods in Google Classroom
We’re introducing grading periods, an option that allows teachers to define and apply grading periods segmented from the entire school year to their Classroom assignments. | Available to Education Plus and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers only. | Learn more about grading periods in Google Classroom. 


Declutter your conversations in Google Chat
Chat declutter automatically hides direct messages and spaces that have been inactive for the last 7 days. This feature only activates when a section has more than 10 conversations, and does not affect pinned conversations. | Learn more about accessing your most relevant Chat conversations. 


Better control the flow of meetings with viewer mode in Google Meet
To help provide a better experience and scale attendance for larger meetings, you can now select “Everyone is a viewer” when creating your Calendar invite. | Learn more about new controls for meetings in Google Meet. 


Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog post for additional details.


Rapid Release Domains:
Scheduled Release Domains:

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – May 19, 2023

6 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace customers.


Improve time management and display time with new chips in Google Docs
In addition to the recent introduction of new smart canvas features in Google Sheets and Google Docs, we’re adding new timer chips that can be used to timebox activities and ensure that you’re using your time productively.
Timer chips
To more finely represent time, we’re also adding a time-of-day chip to Google Docs. By typing “@today" you can add the date and then select "Set time" to add the time to the date chip.
Time-of-day-chips
Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for May 31, 2023. | Learn more about inserting smart chips & building blocks in your Google Doc.


Use alternative text for visual content on Google Sites
Google Sites editors are now able to add or edit alt text on inserted images and add or edit alt text on background images, making their Sites more readable by everyone. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for May 30, 2023. | Learn more about making your site more accessible. 




Enhancing our web onboarding experience in Google Chat to help users get started quicker 
To build upon recent Google Chat improvements and help organizations use Chat more efficiently, we’re revamping the web onboarding experience for those new to Chat. When using Chat in Gmail or visiting chat.google.com for the first time, you will see options to start a chat, join a space, or browse apps. If you select the first option to send a direct message to a colleague or group, the simpler chat creation options will appear. Choosing to join a space will display a new browsing experience, and the Chat apps option will show you how apps work and the ways to find and add apps. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for June 5th 2023. 
New web onboarding experience in Google Chat

Spellcheck for client-side encrypted files in Google Slides
If you’re working in a client-side encrypted file in Google Slides, you’ll now see spelling suggestions as you type. You can see suggestions for misspelled words (indicated by a red wavy underline) by accessing the menu (Tools > Spelling > Spell check) or right- or left-clicking on the word. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus customers only. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for May 30, 2023. | Learn more about encrypted files in Drive, Docs, Sheets & Slides. 
Spell check for client-side encrypted files in Google Slides

Export client-side encrypted spreadsheets to Excel files
Google Sheets files that are client-side encrypted can now be exported as an Excel file. This means you'll continue to protect your files with encryption, but convert your files as needed. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Standard and Education Plus customers only. | Learn more about encrypted files in Drive, Docs, Sheets & Slides. 
Export client-side encrypted spreadsheets to Excel files

AppSheet-powered no-code apps in Google Chat
This announcement was made at Google I/O ‘23. Visit the Workspace Blog to learn more about building workflows across Google Workspace to connect user experiences across apps. You can now create Google Chat apps without code in AppSheet to build integrations or workflows that suit the needs of your organization. | Available now to all Google Workspace customers with an AppSheet Starter, Core, or Enterprise plan. | Learn more about Chat apps. 
AppSheet-powered no-code apps in Google Chat


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.


Improving Calendar Interoperability
Recent improvements to Calendar Interoperability include: Microsoft Outlook users who also have a Google Calendar with the same email address can receive Google Calendar invitations and RSVPs in Outlook, a default meeting reminder will be generated in Microsoft Outlook if the invitation was created in Google Calendar to help make sure guests using Outlook do not miss events, and non-Google Calendar recurring events will be more systematically and accurately updated in Google Calendar. | Learn more about Calendar Interoperability improvements. 


New membership limits for Google Groups
We've increased the limits for the number of direct and indirect group memberships for which a user can have: Direct: 3,000 memberships (increasing from 2,000) and Combined direct and indirect: 7,500 memberships (increasing from 5,000). | Learn more about new membership limits for Google Groups.


Easily expand and collapse content in Google Docs
We introduced a new feature that helps you minimize and expand sections within Google Docs. This collapsible headings function makes it easier to consume content by enabling you to hide portions of larger documents more easily. | Learn more about expand/collapse in Google Docs.


Create custom building blocks in Google Docs
This feature enables you to save custom blocks of text, tables, and chips to build reusable components. For example, you might create a project kickoff template to track milestones and tasks, a product launch checklist, or even a block of code or text that’s commonly used within your organization. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus customers and Nonprofits only. | Learn more about custom building blocks in Docs.


React to messages quickly in Google Chat
We've added quick reactions in Chat, which displays your most frequently used emojis upon hovering over a message. You'll also see options to open the full emoji picker, reply in a thread, quote in reply and more. | Learn more about quick reactions in Google Chat.


Monitor abuse related events in the Alert Center
Admins will now receive alerts related to abuse related events in their organization. This includes events related to content that has been marked abusive or user access restrictions to apps. | Learn more about monitoring abuse related events in the Alert Center.


Complete data-driven tasks faster with new smart chip data extraction in Google Sheets
You will now be able to quickly extract information from smart chips for advanced sorting, filtering and analysis to drive your projects forward. | Learn more about smart chip data extraction in Google Sheets.


Collaborate with others on Google Calendar invites in Google Docs
We've introduced a building block that lets you collaborate with others to draft calendar invites. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus customers and Nonprofits only. | Learn more about drafting calendar events from Google Docs. 



Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog post for additional details.


Rapid Release Domains:
Scheduled Release Domains: