Google Workspace Changes

Contacts delegates can now update labels and manage 'Other' contacts directly via contacts.google.com.

Google is updating the functionality for delegated users to manage contact labels on behalf of their delegator directly at contacts.google.com, a feature previously only available in Gmail. The rollout occurs in two phases: starting May 2023, delegators are prompted to review and re-approve existing delegates; beginning July 2023, approved delegates gain the ability to update labels and manage 'Other' contacts. Additionally, Admins can manage these privileges using the Admin SDK API.

Additional refinements to email notifications sent from Google Classroom

Google Classroom is updating its email notification experience with a refreshed visual design and language, a clearer focus on action items, and easier access to notification settings to help students and teachers find information more efficiently.

For select Google Workspace customers, admins can enable content reporting for their Google Chat users.

For select Google Workspace customers, admins can enable content reporting for their Google Chat users. Once a user has flagged a message, admins can find more information about the incident in the Security Investigation Tool and decide whether further action is needed. This feature is available for Google Chat on the web and mobile devices.

Admins can now enable content reporting for Google Chat users to flag inappropriate messages.

Google Workspace admins for Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, and Education Plus can now enable content reporting for Google Chat users across 1:1 messages, group messages, and spaces. Once a user flags a message for categories such as harassment or sensitive information, admins can use the Security Investigation Tool to review the incident, view chat transcripts, and decide on further actions or the creation of data protection rules.

Google Sheets adds enhanced formatting, collapsed card views, and print/download support to timeline view.

Google Sheets is expanding its timeline view feature with several new capabilities to improve project tracking. These updates include enhanced formatting options such as card text truncation and undo/redo functionality, a new card collapsed view that allows users to merge cards into a single row for each card group, and the addition of print and download support.

Client-side encryption is now supported for in-meeting chat messages in Google Meet.

Google Meet is extending client-side encryption (CSE) to include in-meeting chat messages. This ensures that all chat messages are encrypted and inaccessible to any third party, including Google, providing users with direct control over their encryption keys and the identity service used for authentication.

New capabilities to expand the timeline view feature in Google Sheets.

Today, we’re adding the following capabilities to expand the timeline view feature: Enhanced formatting options, including card text truncation and the undo/redo option, A card collapsed view that enables you to merge cards into a single row for each card group, Print and download support

If you’re using client-side encryption for Meet, in-meeting chat will now be supported.

If you’re using client-side encryption for Meet, in-meeting chat will now be supported. As with the audio and video content of your client-side encrypted meetings, all in-meeting chat messages will be encrypted and inaccessible by any third party, including Google.

Developers will now be able to fully control file expirations via the Google Drive API for files in shared drives.

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

Google is expanding the ability to set expiring access to files located in shared drives via the Google Drive API. Developers can now fully control file expirations (creating, reading, updating, and deleting) through the API, while end users will be able to view these expirations in the sharing dialog, although they cannot edit them directly.

Introducing variable chips, a new feature that makes document creation for things like invoices, contracts, or broader communications much easier.

Today, we’re introducing variable chips, a new feature that makes document creation for things like invoices, contracts, or broader communications much easier. Simply pre-define and insert placeholders such as a client name, contract number, or an address, and then update it throughout an entire document by editing the value in one place.

Introduction of variable chips in Google Docs to simplify document creation with dynamic placeholders.

Google Docs is introducing variable chips, a new feature that allows users to pre-define and insert placeholders—such as client names, contract numbers, or addresses—and update them throughout an entire document by editing the value in one place. This makes the creation of templates for invoices, contracts, and broader communications more straightforward.

Spellcheck for client-side encrypted files in Google Slides

Users working in client-side encrypted Google Slides files will now receive real-time spelling suggestions, indicated by red wavy underlines, which can be managed via the Tools menu or by clicking the word.

Alternative text for visual content on Google Sites

Google Sites editors can now add or edit alternative text for both inserted images and background images, improving the accessibility and readability of their sites for all users.

Export client-side encrypted spreadsheets to Excel files

Google Sheets now supports the export of client-side encrypted spreadsheets into Excel format, allowing users to convert files as needed while maintaining their encryption protection.