Google Workspace Changes

Google Meet hardware adds a manual connection method via a 5‑character room code shown on the hardware screen. Users see a 'Connect with room code' button on the pre‑call screen, allowing them to input the code when ultrasound‑based proximity detection is unavailable or disabled. The feature is enabled by default for both Rapid and Scheduled release domains, with a gradual rollout starting September 15, 2026 (up to 15 days for full visibility), and admins can toggle it at the device level.

Starting September 15, 2026, Google is expanding AI Overviews in Gmail search to all global users on paid Workspace plans whose Gmail language is set to English. The feature, which uses Gemini to provide concise summaries and answers to natural language queries, was previously limited to US users. Admins need Gemini for Workspace in Gmail and Workspace Intelligence access enabled; end users must have smart features turned on. Rollout began on September 3 for Rapid Release domains (gradual over up to 15 days) and will start September 21 for Scheduled Release domains (full rollout within 1–3 days). Personal Google Accounts also see a gradual rollout from September 3.

Starting September 15, 2026, Gemini for Google Workspace users can interact with popular third‑party tools such as Asana, Atlassian Rovo, HubSpot, Intuit Mailchimp, Intuit QuickBooks, Monday.com, and Salesforce directly from the Gemini side panel in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Chat. Powered by Model Context Protocol (MCP) integrations, the feature lets users retrieve and act on information without switching tabs or downloading files. Admins can enable or disable connectors via the Admin console, and the rollout is available immediately for both Rapid and Scheduled Release tracks across Business, Enterprise, Consumer, Education, and other editions.

The new capability lets administrators create a single rule in the Admin console that evaluates both data sensitivity (using classification labels or DLP conditions) and audience (via trust rules criteria such as organizational units, groups, or domains). It supports three audience restriction options: block sharing with all external users, allowlist sharing only with specific users, or denylist sharing with specific users while permitting sharing with everyone else. The feature rolls out gradually over up to 15 days starting September 14, 2026 for both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains, and is available for Enterprise Standard/Plus, Education Fundamentals/Standard/Plus, Enterprise Essentials, and Frontline Standard/Plus editions.

The new feature allows admins to connect their Microsoft business account using global admin credentials, optionally exclude users or data types, and automatically import up to 10 Microsoft users along with their emails, OneDrive files, calendar events, contacts and tasks into Google Workspace. The import runs in the background after domain verification and MX activation, and is available now for both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains.

Google has launched the Gemini desktop app for Windows 10 and 11, enabling users to access Gemini directly from their desktop. The app can be summoned with Alt+Space for quick tasks like fact-checking or brainstorming, can draft project summaries using data from Gmail and Drive, and can generate custom images via Nano Banana. Admins have the app enabled by default where Gemini is turned on, and end users can download it from gemini.google/desktop.

Google Sheets has increased its cell limit from up to 10 million cells to up to 20 million cells, applicable to new, existing, and imported spreadsheets, including those from Excel (.xlsx) or CSV files. The change is rolling out gradually over up to 15 days for Rapid Release domains starting September 10, 2026, and for Scheduled Release domains starting September 28, 2026. No admin or end-user settings are required. A future increase to the file byte size limit for imported spreadsheets is also planned.

Google Workspace administrators can now enable external sharing for Gemini Notebook using four granular sharing options (Off, Trusted Domains, On, On with public notebook sharing) configurable at the domain, OU, or group level, replacing the previous single toggle. The feature rolls out gradually over up to 15 days starting September 10, 2026 for both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains and is available to all Google Workspace customers.

Google Sheets now offers a dedicated formula editor dialog for creating and editing calculated fields within pivot tables, complete with field selection menus to insert column names without manual typing, real-time syntax and formula validation to catch errors before applying changes, and improved speed and accuracy over the previous inline sidebar method.

The feature, initially introduced to Rapid Release customers in Early Preview Rooms in January 2026, is now rolling out to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware. It uses ultrasound signals detected by the phone or tablet's microphone to automatically check users into a meeting room when they join in Companion mode, eliminating manual steps. Admins can enable or disable proximity detection at the room level, and users can still check in manually if needed. The rollout began on September 9, 2026 for both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains, with Android completion expected by September 10 and iOS gradual visibility up to 15 days (ending September 24).

Gemini respects existing access permissions, does not use user data for model training, and provides human‑in‑the‑loop preview cards for actions like sending emails or scheduling meetings, ensuring data confidentiality and granular policy enforcement.

Users can ask Gemini in the Docs side panel to turn a proposal into a polished slide deck, specifying a style reference (e.g., @presentation) to maintain brand consistency without leaving the document editor.

From the Slides side panel (or other apps), users can prompt Gemini to log a reminder or generate a to‑do list based on presented content, which is instantly synced to Google Tasks for follow‑up.

Users can ask Gemini in Chat (via Ask Gemini) to find open times, book meetings, or resolve scheduling conflicts with teammates, keeping the workflow inside the chat interface.