Google Workspace Changes

We’re introducing improvements to adding and working with cover images in Google Docs.

In addition to the “Choose from stock images” and “Upload from computer”, insertion options, users can now add images via: Searching the web

Google Docs is enhancing the cover image experience with more insertion options, expanded stock images, and improved UI.

Google Docs has updated its cover image functionality for pageless documents. Users can now insert cover images by searching the web, uploading from Google Drive, importing from Google Photos, or pasting a URL. Additionally, over 100 new stock images have been added with category filtering for art, food, and abstract themes. The 'Cover image' chip at the top of documents now displays a placeholder image and a menu with options to create images with Gemini or insert them via the new methods.

Expanding Google AI to more of Google Workspace

Summarize the main points of a lengthy document or create an outline for a sales pitch, brainstorm a list of ideas for a new marketing campaign. Easily polish your documents with writing, grammar, and formatting suggestions from Gemini.

Introduction of 'Help me create' in Google Docs to build structured, stylized documents using Gemini.

Google is introducing 'Help me create', a new feature in Google Docs that allows users to generate full, visually-appealing documents from a single custom prompt. By using the '@ filename' syntax, users can pull content from their Google Drive files to create long-form documents that include cover images, in-line images, stylized text, and tables. The feature is currently available in English and supported on pageless documents.

Easier discovery and installation of Google Workspace Marketplace apps in Google Docs.

When users add a link into a Google Doc that is supported by select Marketplace apps, they will now be prompted to install the relevant add-on. Once installed, users can replace the link with a third-party smart chip and preview app information by hovering over the chip.

Improved accessibility tagging for PDFs exported from Google Docs.

Google is adding more structural and accessibility tagging to PDFs exported from Google Docs to improve navigation for users with screen readers and other assistive technology. Specifically, tagging has been improved for paragraphs, headings, hyperlinks, image alt text, and lists.

users who are interacting with policy-protected content, such as those with data loss prevention (DLP) rules or trust rules, will now be informed about what actions are prevented by those policies

policy visualization across Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive

New Google Docs building blocks

Task trackers, Contact lists and Decision logs

Enhancements to table building blocks with title rows and column types.

Google Docs is improving table building blocks by introducing table title rows, which provide a formatted, full-width row for visually appealing table names. Additionally, new column types (such as dates, dropdown chips, files, or people) have been added to ensure data accuracy by providing warnings when content does not match the specified data type.

New building blocks sidebar for easier browsing and previewing.

A new sidebar has been added to Google Docs, accessible via Insert > Building blocks > View more or the 'More' button at the top of new documents. This sidebar allows users to more efficiently browse, find, and preview various building blocks in context before inserting them.

Introduction of new business workflow building blocks including task trackers, contact lists, and decision logs.

Google Docs has introduced a new collection of building blocks to help users manage business workflows. This includes Task trackers, which allow users to track tasks with assignees and due dates and sync them with Google Tasks; Contact lists for organizing structured contact information; and Decision logs to centralize open questions and final decisions for team alignment.

Use Gemini in Google Docs to create unique images for your documents

Following our introduction of uploading full-bleed cover images in Google Docs and AI-generated images in Google Slides with help me visualize, we’re launching the ability to create unique inline images and full bleed cover images using Gemini in Docs.

Gemini in Google Docs now allows users to create unique inline images and full-bleed cover images using Imagen 3.

Google is introducing the ability to generate high-quality, photorealistic inline images and full-bleed cover images directly within Google Docs using Gemini and the Imagen 3 model. Users can specify prompts, choose aspect ratios, and select styles such as photography or watercolor to create visually compelling content. Cover images are specifically supported for documents set to pageless mode to allow the image to span the entire width of the document.

Import sensitive Microsoft Word documents as client-side encrypted Google Docs

Eligible Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard customers can now import and convert sensitive Microsoft Word files into Google Docs while maintaining client-side encryption, giving customers direct control over encryption keys.

Improved comments experience in Google Docs on Android tablets

Improved design and filtering functionality to match the web experience, you’ll now be able to easily: Keep a pulse on the latest updates: now you’ll see the first comment and the two most recent replies from a comment thread, with the option to show all comments within a discussion. Review comments with full context: enjoy familiar, in-context commenting. Navigate and filter comments: navigation tabs and filters within the comments panel help you easily find relevant comments, without having to switch to a separate view.