Tag Archives: Other

Assistant and Calendar reminders are automatically migrating to Tasks

What’s changing

In September 2022, we announced that we would be migrating Reminders from Google Calendar and Google Assistant to Google Tasks in order to create a single experience for managing to-dos across Google. Over the last several weeks, Google Workspace users had the opportunity to voluntarily migrate their reminders to Tasks. 


For Google Workspace users: If you have not already migrated your Reminders to Tasks, they will be migrated starting today. 


To help ensure a smooth transition, we’d like to remind admins and end users to: 


Admins: 
If you use a Google account for work or school: 
  • If you want a copy of your reminders data and Takeout is enabled for your organization, export your Reminders data before June 22, 2023. 
If you use a personal Google Account: 
  • If you haven’t already migrated, Assistant and Calendar reminders will begin to automatically migrate in June 2023. We’ll share more information on this timeline in a future update on the Workspace Updates blog. 

Availability 

  • This update impacts all Google Workspace 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:

Existing spaces organized by conversation topic will be upgraded to the new in-line threaded experience by Q4 2023

What’s changing

In 2022, we introduced in-line threading for Google Chat and since March 2023, all newly created spaces in Google Chat are in-line threaded by default. 


As we continue to move toward a single, streamlined flow of conversation in Google Chat, 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. In the meantime, existing legacy threaded spaces will continue to function as is until the upgrade is complete. 

Space organized by conversation topic


In-line threaded spaces




Ahead of the upgrade, we’ll provide more details on the Workspace Updates Blog, and Google Workspace admins, partners, and resellers will receive an email with more information about what to expect before the upgrade. 


Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why it’s important 

Google Chat continues to evolve to meet the needs of our users with new and agile features. In order to provide a consistent user experience and reduce complexity, all Google Chat spaces will use the in-line threading by early Q4 2023. 


In-line threading allows users to reply to any message and create a discussion separate from the main conversation. Users can also follow specific threads, whereby they’ll receive notifications for replies and @ mentions in that thread, helping to cut through clutter and stay on top of what matters most. Additionally, users will be able to take advantage of other upcoming helpful features such as quoting messages, message linking, and more. 


Additional details 

All messages sent before the migration will be retained without any data loss, and once upgraded, they will be arranged chronologically, instead of by topic. There will also be a separator titled “Begin New Topic” to indicate every time a new topic was started. 


In some cases, when people have responded on older topics, the new chronological order takes precedence. This means that messages may not appear next to the original topic, but rather according to their timestamp. When this occurs, the new response will quote the last corresponding message that it is replying to, as seen in the second image below. 


You’ll also see a separator between the last message sent before the migration, and a message indicating that the space has been upgraded to a space with in-line replies. Going forward, all new messages will feature in-line threaded functionality — more information on the post-migration experience will be shared via email to admins, partners, and resellers. 

Before the upgrade: conversations grouped by topic 

After the space has been upgraded to in-line threading, messages sent before the upgrade will be arranged chronologically, instead of by topic. 


Getting started 

You’ll see a banner in all the spaces that will be impacted by the migration as FYI before the actual migration.



Availability 

  • This update impacts all Google Workspace customers 

Resources

Set expirations for files in shared drives using Google Drive API

What’s changing

Last year, we announced the ability to set expiring access when sharing files in My Drive. To expand upon this, we’re adding the option to set expirations on files that reside in shared drives using the Google Drive API. 

Specifically, developers will now be able to fully control file expirations via the API (creating, reading, updating, deleting), and users will be able to see, but not edit file expirations in the sharing dialog. 
Set expirations for files in shared drives using Google Drive API

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • Developers: Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting an expiration date for file access. 
  • End users: This feature will be ON by default and cannot be disabled. If an expiring access has been set by a developer in your domain, you will automatically see it in the sharing dialog. 

Rollout pace 

  • This feature is available now. 

Availability 

  • Available to Google Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade and Education Plus customers 
  • Not available to Essentials Starter, Business Starter, Frontline Starter, Frontline Standard, and Nonprofits 
  • Not available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

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:

Improving Calendar Interoperability

What’s changing

When working across locations and time zones, calendar functionality is vital for you to connect effectively and meaningfully with others. Calendar Interoperability is the critical component to help ensure events created in one calendar system are accurately propagated for guests using different calendar systems. This allows you to productively schedule time and manage your schedule collaboratively, regardless of your calendaring platform. 

Today, we’re excited to announce recent improvements to Calendar Interoperability: 
  • 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. 
  • Non-Google Calendar recurring events will be more systematically and accurately updated in Google Calendar. 

Getting started 

  • Admins and end users: No action required. You’ll automatically see these updates. If you want to view availability of users in Microsoft Outlook and book rooms, visit the Help Center to learn more about Calendar Interop. 

Rollout pace 

  • This feature is available now for all users. 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – May 12, 2023

New updates 

There are no new updates to share this week. Please see below for a recap of published 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.


Enhancing spam protection in Google Drive
There will now be a dedicated spam folder within Google Drive to host unwanted files that are shared with you containing spam or abusive content. | Learn more about the spam folder in Google Drive.

Bringing pooled storage and shared drives to Business Starter
We're updating the storage model in Business Starter from per-user storage to pooled storage. Pooled storage provides a more simple and flexible way to manage storage, as all storage is shared across the organization, removing the need to manage it on a per-user basis. | This update impacts Google Workspace Business Starter customers only. | Learn more about pooled storage and shared drives for Business Starter. 


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.


Bringing pooled storage and shared drives to Business Starter

What’s changing 

We're updating the storage model in Business Starter from per-user storage to pooled storage. Pooled storage provides a more simple and flexible way to manage storage, as all storage is shared across the organization, removing the need to manage it on a per-user basis. With pooled storage, admins also have more tools to monitor how storage is used across their organization. In the coming days, new customers signing up for Business Starter will have pooled storage; existing Business Starter customers will transition to pooled storage over the coming months. 


As an added benefit of pooled storage, organizations with Business Starter will soon gain access to shared drives. Users will be able to create shared drives and add members, files, and folders. Please note that certain admin-level and security controls—like the ability to control access to the items in a shared drive—will not be included in shared drives for Business Starter. 


Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why it’s important 

Pooled storage 
Pooled storage is a simple and flexible model for sharing storage across an organization, and it enables admins to more easily manage storage across their organization. 


Shared drives 
Part of empowering our customers to do their best work means reducing the friction around file sharing and collaboration. Shared drives are a key tool for collaboration—users can store, search, and access their team's files instantly. Additionally, they offer benefits such as:
  • Easy discoverability: Less time spent requesting access to files and searching for relevant documents with all of your team’s files in one place.
  • Files are forever: All content stays put — even when collaborators or team members leave, your content won’t.
  • Easy collaboration: Every member of a shared drive can explore and collaborate in the same files. You can also add users outside your team or organization.
  • Accessible anywhere: Regardless of location or device, you can always access the files you need most.
Visit our Help Center to learn more about pooled storage and shared drives for Business Starter.


Getting started

  • Admins: 
  • End users: There is no end user impact or action required at this time.

Rollout pace

  • Beginning May 15, 2023, new Business Starter customers will have pooled storage by default.

  • Pooled storage will start rolling out to existing Business Starter customers on May 22, 2023 and continue over the coming months. 

  • Shared drives will become available after pooled storage rolls out to all existing Business Starter customers.

Availability

  • This update impacts Google Workspace Business Starter customers.

Resources


Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – May 5, 2023

New updates 

There are no new updates to share this week. Please see below for a recap of published 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.


Providing greater visibility with additional Google Calendar statuses in Google Chat
Chat statuses now include even more information, such as: how much longer someone is in a meeting or focus time, if someone has an upcoming commitment within the next 10 minutes, and if someone has an upcoming out of office event within the next business day. Learn more about additional Google Calendar statuses in Google Chat.


Expanding upon Gmail security with BIMI
Users will now see a checkmark icon for senders who adopted Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) in Gmail. This will help users identify messages from legitimate senders versus impersonators. | Learn more about Gmail security with BIMI.


Manage all spaces in your organization through the Admin console
We've introduced a new section in the Admin console dedicated to managing spaces in Google Chat. Here, admins can see a list of all spaces in their domain, the members of those spaces, and take actions, such as adding members or changing a member role. | Learn more about managing all spaces in your organization through the Admin console.


Quote a previous message in Google Chat
We've introduced a new feature that allows you to quote a previous message when sending a reply in a direct message, group message, or space (if configured with in-line threading). | Learn more about quoting a previous message in Google Chat.

Turn access to Bard on or off for your users
Earlier this year, we announced Bard, an early experiment by Google that lets you collaborate with generative AI. In the coming days, Google Workspace admins will be able to turn access to Bard on for their users, in the Admin console under Apps > Additional Google services > Early Access Apps. | Learn more about turning access to Bard on or off for your users.

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:

Turn access to Bard on or off for your users

What’s changing 

Earlier this year, we announced Bard, an early experiment by Google that lets you collaborate with generative AI. As a creative and helpful collaborator, Bard can supercharge your imagination, boost your productivity, and help you bring your ideas to life. 


In the coming days, Google Workspace admins will be able to turn access to Bard on for their users, in the Admin console under Apps > Additional Google services > Early Access Apps.


Note: At first, Bard will be the only service managed by the Early Access Apps control. Over time, we may be adding other services under this control.

Turning Early Access Apps on or off in the Admin Console




Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why it’s important 

At introduction, Bard was available to users with personal Google Accounts. Beginning today, Workspace admins will have the option to open up access to Bard for their end users through the newly introduced Early Access Apps control. Note that Bard is separate from the AI powered innovations we’re working on for Google Workspace — stay tuned to the Workspace Updates blog for more information about Workspace specific features.


Additional details 

Regional Availability 
The admin control to enable or disable access to Bard will be available for all Google Workspace customers, even if Bard isn’t available in your country yet. That means that even if Early Access Apps are turned on for your organization, users located in countries in which Bard is not available will not be able to access the service.


Getting started


  • Admins: 
    • This feature will be OFF by default and can be enabled at domain, OU, or group level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Early Access Apps on or off for users.
    • Access to core services in Google Workspace by Early Access Apps is off by default. 
    • Note: Services and features managed by the Early Access Apps control are Additional Services and are not covered under your Google Workspace agreement, Data Processing Agreement, or HIPAA Business Associate Addendum. When you turn on the Early Access Apps control, your organization’s end users will gain access to new and experimental features and services — visit our Help Center for more details.

  • End users: If enabled by your admin, visit the Help Center to learn more about using Bard.


Rollout pace


Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers
  • Not available for any Google Workspace for Education accounts designated as under 18. Use this article in our Help Center for more information.

Resources