Google Workspace Changes

Gemini can now create formatted Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides in the background from any Workspace app side panel.

Users can prompt Gemini from Gmail, Docs, Slides, Chat, or Drive to generate personalized documents, spreadsheets, or slide decks without leaving the current app. The generated files are saved securely to Drive, enabling seamless content creation across Workspace.

Context-aware access controls are now available for Gemini Enterprise in the Admin console, allowing admins to set granular security policies based on device and location.

Google Workspace administrators can now configure context-aware access (CAA) policies for Gemini Enterprise directly in the Admin console, selecting granular security attributes such as device security and location settings for both personal and managed devices. Admins can create policies that restrict access from specific geographic regions and reuse existing Workspace CAA policies for Gemini Enterprise. The feature is rolling out gradually to Rapid and Scheduled Release domains starting September 8, 2026, with completion by September 15, 2026, and is available for Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Standard, Education Plus, Frontline Standard/Plus, Enterprise Essentials Plus, and Cloud Identity Premium customers who have purchased Gemini Enterprise.

Administrators can now access comprehensive audit logs for Gemini Notebook in the Workspace Admin console.

Google Workspace administrators can now access comprehensive audit logs for Gemini Notebook in the Admin console, providing greater insights into how the application is used across their organizations. The update introduces full visibility into Gemini Notebook actions, allowing administrators to review usage and audit data access in the security investigation tool and audit and investigation tool. Administrators can track a wide range of user actions across multiple categories, including notebook visibility, user identity, IP address, and resource context. These audit logs can be exported and reviewed using BigQuery or accessed directly within the Admin console using the security investigation tool. These monitoring capabilities help administrators meet regulatory compliance requirements, understand collaboration patterns, and protect company data within their digital environments.

Custom instructions for Gemini in Workspace are now available in Drive, Chat, and the side panel of Slides, Sheets, and Gmail.

Building on the earlier introduction of custom instructions for Gemini in Google Docs, this update expands the feature to additional Workspace surfaces including Ask Gemini in Drive, Ask Gemini in Chat, and the Gemini side panel in Gmail, Sheets, and Slides. Users can set persistent preferences that Gemini respects across these apps, ensuring a consistent, personalized experience without needing to repeat instructions in every conversation.