Friday, November 10, 2023

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - November 10, 2023

3 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.


Timeline view in Google Sheets now available on Android & iOS 
In 2022, we introduced an interactive timeline view that allows you to track projects in Google Sheets. We’re excited to announce that you can now view your timelines on Android and iOS. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for November 28, 2023. | Timeline viewing is available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. | Learn more about timeline view in Sheets. 


Adding timezone support for existing smart chips in Google Docs 
To more accurately represent time across the world, we’re introducing timezone support for existing date+time smart chips in Google Docs. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now at an extended rollout pace (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility); launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for January 3, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. | Learn more about inserting smart chips & building blocks in your Google Doc. 
timezone chip in docs


Improved toolbars in the Google Docs, Sheets and Slides apps on Android devices 
We’re introducing enhanced toolbars in the Google Docs, Sheets and Slides apps that are optimized for Android tablets and foldables, and ultimately improve the editing experience across the apps. 
  • In Docs, there is a new mode switcher that allows you to switch between editing, suggestion, and viewing modes. 
  • In Slides, you will have access to an ever-present toolbar while in editing mode. 
  • In Sheets, a cell will be selected by default upon opening the app. 
Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for November 28, 2023. | Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts. 
Mode switching in the Google Docs app
Mode switching in the Google Docs app



Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.



Add GIFs and stickers in Google Slides 
We’re bringing GIFs and stickers directly into Google Slides to empower you to build visual, dynamic, and creative presentations that help you connect with your audience in Slides. | Learn more about GIFs and Stickers in Slides. 

Make more informed decisions using Classroom analytics 
We’re introducing analytics in Google Classroom, providing a centralized view of Classroom data and insights for educators and education leaders. | A Google Workspace for Education Plus license is required to access this feature for both education leaders and educators. | Learn more about assigning licenses in the Help Center and about Classroom analytics.

Google Meet API now available in Developer Preview 
The Google Meet API will give partners and customers the ability to create and configure Meet video conferences, allow their end users to join a conference, and post real-time updates from within their own applications.| Available now through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program. | Learn more about Google Meet API. 

Streamlining the user experience in Google Chat to help you find what you need much faster 
A redesigned navigation panel brings direct messages and spaces together and introduces shortcuts, a new framework to help you stay on top of your messages. To reduce friction while navigating between messages, home helps you quickly catch up on any new activity across all conversations in a single location. Finally, mentions give you visibility into the messages addressed specifically to you. | Learn more about the new Google Chat. 

Filter by people or groups in Google Drive 
We’re adding a new filter to Google Drive that lets you see which files or folders have been shared with specific people or groups. | Learn more about filters in Drive.

Improvements for scheduling large scale meetings on the web
We’re making several changes which will make scheduling large scale meetings (up to 100k guests per event) easier and guide schedulers through the process with more context. Once you’ve created and saved a Calendar event which contains a large group of attendees, you can open the event to check on the invitation progress. | Learn more about large scale meetings in Calendar.

Introducing a new homepage in the Google Drive app 
We’re updating the homepage of the Google Drive mobile app on Android and iOS mobile devices to help you more easily find the right file much faster. An updated suggested view will allow you to see even more recommended files at once, such as those that have been recently opened, shared or edited. In addition, we’re replacing the notifications view with activity view, which recently launched on web. | Learn more about the homepage in Drive.


Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.


Scheduled Release Domains: 

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains: