Google Workspace Changes

Google Chat apps now support dynamic data sources for dropdown menus, allowing real-time querying and filtering.

Google Chat app developers can now leverage dynamic data sources for dropdown menus, allowing real-time querying and filtering of results as users type. This update addresses previous limitations of static lists, improving scalability for workflows involving numerous options. Users benefit from enhanced searchability via fuzzy search, faster performance due to dynamic data querying, and a consistent user experience across all platforms. Developers can also specify a minimum character threshold to trigger searches, ensuring more relevant results.

Google Chat apps now support dynamic data sources for dropdown menus.

Developers can now connect dropdown menus in Google Chat apps to external data sources, enabling real-time querying and filtering of results as users type. This update addresses scalability issues associated with static lists, allowing for efficient selection from thousands of options. Key improvements include fuzzy search capabilities, reduced latency, and a consistent search-as-you-type experience across web, Android, and iOS platforms.

Figma integration in Google Chat allows users to receive notifications, preview files, see comments, and reply to comments directly from Chat.

The Figma for Google Workspace add-on, already available for Google Calendar, Docs, and Meet, is now extended to Google Chat. This integration enables users to stay updated on Figma files within Google Chat by receiving notifications for invites, previewing files, viewing new comments and tags, and replying to comments without leaving the Chat interface.

Introducing Figma integration in Google Chat for notifications and collaboration.

Google Chat now integrates with Figma, allowing users to receive notifications for file, project, and team invites, preview Figma files within notifications and group chats, track new comments and tags in followed files, and reply to Figma comments directly from the Google Chat interface.

Introduction of granular OAuth consent for all Google Chat apps using Apps Script, allowing users to choose specific data access.

Google is introducing granular OAuth consent for all types of Google Chat apps that use Apps Script, expanding upon a previously announced feature. This enhancement allows users to have more control over their data by enabling them to select the specific data an app can access when requesting OAuth scope grants. This change is particularly relevant for new OAuth scope grants, as pre-existing grants will remain unaffected. Developers are advised to review the updated documentation for handling these granular permissions.

Granular OAuth consent is now available for all Google Chat apps built using Apps Script.

Google is expanding granular OAuth consent to all types of Chat apps developed with Apps Script, moving beyond just Workspace add-ons. This update allows users to choose the specific data an app is permitted to access when granting new OAuth scope permissions, providing more control over data privacy. Pre-existing scope grants remain unaffected.

Users can now forward messages in Google Chat.

Google Chat is introducing a new feature that allows users to forward messages directly within conversations, eliminating the need for manual workarounds like copying and pasting. This enhances team collaboration by simplifying sharing, preserving context with original sender and attachments, and improving visibility by allowing messages from threads to be moved to the main stream. While there are some limitations regarding forwarding between internal and external organizational conversations, a reminder for sensitive information will appear when forwarding from DMs or group DMs.

Google Chat introduces the ability to forward messages across different conversations.

Google Chat is introducing a new feature that allows users to forward messages between direct messages and spaces, eliminating the need for copying and pasting or using screenshots. Forwarded messages preserve the original sender, source, and attachments, and can be moved from threads into the main conversation stream. While there are restrictions on forwarding between internal and external organizations, users can forward messages from external conversations to internal ones. A security reminder appears when forwarding from DMs to protect sensitive information.

Introducing the new Feeds app for Google Chat to bring real-time external updates from Atom or RSS feeds directly into group conversations and spaces.

The new Feeds app for Google Chat allows teams to integrate real-time external updates, such as news, blog posts, and industry research from any Atom or RSS feed, directly into their Google Chat group conversations and spaces. This eliminates the need for context switching as new posts from subscribed feeds are automatically sent to a designated Chat space, keeping all team members informed within their ongoing project discussions. Key features include automatic content delivery, the ability to add and manage multiple subscriptions per-space, with management restricted to the user who created the subscription.

Google Chat is moving to a new web address, chat.google.com, for a faster and more reliable experience.

Google Chat is transitioning to a new web address, chat.google.com, from its previous location at mail.google.com/chat. This change aims to provide a faster and more reliable web experience without altering the user interface. Existing bookmarks and links will continue to function. Admins and developers should ensure extensions are compatible with the new address, and update URL blocklists or website-specific policies to include chat.google.com. Users may need to update Chrome extensions for Chat to ensure proper functionality. Blocking chat.google.com will break the ability to use Chat within Gmail and Google Meet.

Google Chat space owners and managers can now disable the 'request to join' option for their spaces, restricting access via links.

A new setting in Google Chat allows space owners and managers to control whether users can request to join a space. Previously, users could send a request to join if they received a link to a restricted space. With this update, space owners and managers can now disable the 'request to join' option, preventing users from requesting access when attempting to join a space via a link. This provides greater control over space membership.

Preview the last unread message in Google Chat conversations directly from the left-hand menu without marking it as read.

Google Chat is introducing a new feature that allows users to preview the last unread message in conversations directly from the left-hand menu by simply hovering over a bolded conversation. This enables users to triage messages without marking them as read. When ready to engage, users can click to jump straight into the conversation or thread.

Inline threading is rolling out for direct messages and group direct messages in Google Chat, allowing users to reply in-thread to any message in direct conversations for better organization.

Inline threading, previously exclusive to Spaces, is now being introduced to direct messages (DMs) and group direct messages (gDMs) in Google Chat. This highly anticipated feature aims to streamline the Chat experience by enabling users to reply in-thread to individual messages in direct conversations, thereby enhancing conversation organization and reducing clutter in the main chat stream.

Redesigned Google Chat conversation header with simpler navigation and side panel for shared content and tasks.

Google Chat on the web is introducing a redesigned conversation header that offers a simpler, more consistent layout, making key tools more accessible. This update includes a new side panel for users to access shared files, links, media, and manage tasks directly within the conversation view, with options to adjust its width or expand to full-screen. The header now features icons for quick navigation to 'Shared', 'Tasks', 'Threads', and 'Board'.

Improved Workday Google Chat app for managing time off, including requests, views, cancellations, and checking balances/holidays.

The Workday Google Chat app has been updated to provide a more streamlined experience for managing time off. This includes a single, improved flow that allows users to easily request, view, or cancel their time off requests. Additionally, the update introduces quick commands that enable users to check their time off balances and review company holidays directly within the Google Chat application, enhancing efficiency and user convenience for Workday users.