Google Workspace Changes

Eligible Google Workspace customers can now import PowerPoint (.pptx) files as client-side encrypted (CSE) Slides, enabling secure interoperability with Microsoft Office. The files are encrypted on the client before import and converted to high-fidelity encrypted Slides, accessible via the CSE Office Interop beta program. Admins can sign up for the beta, and once accepted, the feature is turned on for users in their domains, with rollout beginning immediately on both Rapid and Scheduled release tracks.

Starting September 23, 2026, Google Vids users can access Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash directly within the app. This update brings higher-quality video extension with better character and audio consistency, the ability to generate AI video scenes in full 1080p HD or upscale existing AI clips, and precise duration control to set exact clip lengths. The feature rolls out to both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains, with full visibility expected within 1–3 days. It is available across Business, Enterprise, Education, Consumer, and other Google Workspace editions, with expanded limits for AI Expanded Access add-on holders.

Occupancy counting is now available for Android-based Logitech Gen 2 room hardware, beginning with the Rally Board 65, bringing the same capabilities previously offered on ChromeOS devices to Android hardware. Administrators can enable the feature at the domain, OU, or group level in the Google Admin console, view occupancy data, and optionally export it as a spreadsheet. The feature processes data locally on the device, does not collect personally identifiable information, and may keep the camera LED off during counting depending on hardware. Rollout for both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains begins September 28, 2026, with an extended rollout potentially exceeding 15 days; support for earlier Gen 1 devices will arrive later via a CollabOS update.

Starting September 23, 2026, users can reference their Gemini Notebook research directly in Google Docs by typing '@' in the side panel or bottom bar. Gemini will ground its output in the selected Notebook sources and add inline citations, facilitating fact‑checking while drafting. The feature is available by default for admins with Gemini for Workspace in Drive enabled and for end users with Workspace smart features turned on. It rolls out immediately to both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains for Business Standard/Plus, Enterprise Standard/Plus, Education Plus, Google AI Pro/Ultra consumers, and specified Education and AI add‑ons.

Google Sheets now lets users manually reorder and custom sort pivot tables directly on the grid. Users can drag and drop individual row or column headers, select multiple items for simultaneous reordering, and have nested child items move with their parents to maintain hierarchy. Custom sort arrangements persist across browser sessions, data refreshes, filtering, and layout changes. The update also enhances Microsoft Excel file compatibility: imported Excel workbooks retain their custom pivot table sort order, and exported sheets preserve that order for seamless round‑trip use.

The update introduces a third admin option that enables automatic note‑taking for meetings with three or more people, with default ON for Business Standard and Plus and OFF for Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Frontline Plus, and Google AI Pro for Education. End users gain a matching setting to enable note‑taking only for meetings they host with 3+ guests. Both settings take effect September 29, 2026, with an extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days) for Rapid and Scheduled Release domains.

Quick notes provides a concise, single‑page overview of meeting takeaways, highlighting the most important action items, outcomes, and talking points for fast consumption. It becomes the default tab in the Take notes for me Doc and the default summary in related emails, while a Full notes tab retains the detailed record for those who need deeper insight. No admin or end‑user settings are required; the feature rolls out immediately to Rapid and Scheduled Release domains for Business Standard/Plus, Enterprise Standard/Plus, Frontline Plus, Education Add‑ons (Google AI Pro for Education), and Consumer (Google AI Pro and Ultra).

Study notebooks in Gemini provide a dedicated, interactive learning space that turns Gemini into an adaptive platform. Users can create a notebook from the left sidebar, specify their study topic, upload class materials, request progress‑check quizzes to identify knowledge gaps, follow bite‑sized lessons with inline practice quizzes, and track mastery via a dynamic dashboard that categorizes topics into strengths and focus areas. The feature is available to Google Workspace and Workspace Individual customers outside the EEA (with EEA rollout coming soon) when the Gemini app and Gemini Notebook are enabled by admins, who can control access via groups or OUs. Rollout began on September 17, 2026 for Rapid Release domains, reaching full visibility within up to 15 days.

Google Workspace customers can now install the Atlassian add-on to bring Confluence pages directly into Google Chat conversations. The integration provides rich link previews showing page titles, summaries, and author names, personal notifications for @mentions, comment replies, or page changes, and automated updates when shared Confluence pages are modified. This allows teams to collaborate in Chat while keeping Confluence as the system of record for knowledge.

Workday for Google Sheets is a new add-on available in the Google Workspace Marketplace that connects Workday Adaptive Planning directly to Google Sheets and Slides. Integrated with the AI-powered “Ask Workday” feature, it enables natural language summaries, variance analysis, automated anomaly detection, smart visualizations, and dynamic ad‑hoc reporting without manual CSV downloads, allowing financial analysts to build live reports and surface insights faster.

Google Sheets introduces a manual calculation mode that enables editors of complex or data-dense spreadsheets to suspend automatic formula recalculation, batch edits, and initiate a sheet-wide update when ready. This supports uninterrupted high-volume updates, structured scenario modeling, and stabilizing volatile simulations. The feature is off by default and can be enabled via File > Settings > Calculation Settings, with no admin controls. Rollout begins September 21, 2026 for both Rapid and Scheduled Release domains, completing within up to 15 days.

Gemini Notebook now lets users produce Short Video Overviews—approximately 60-second videos that blend narrative explanations with educational animations—in over 80 languages. These shareable videos break down intricate formulas, diagrams, and scientific ideas into digestible content for easier learning.

Gemini Notebook's exam preparation features have been expanded to include short answer, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank quiz formats. Users can now converse with their notebook about their latest quiz and flashcard performance to identify focus areas, and they can customize quizzes and flashcards by adding or editing questions to suit their study needs.

Gemini Notebook now offers interactive learning overviews accessible under the Reports section. These overviews integrate summaries with studio-generated outputs such as quizzes, flashcards, and mind maps, helping users stay focused during study sessions by providing varied, engaging review formats.