Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - March 7, 2025
ዓርብ 7 ማርች 2025
2 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.
Advanced formatting for tables in Google Sheets
Following the improvements made to tables in Google Sheets in August and September, we’re excited to introduce advanced formatting for tables. Now, users have access to a new table formatting sub menu that allows them to toggle on and off gridlines, alternating colors, condense view, and include a table footer. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for March 31, 2025. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using tables in Google Sheets.
“Extensions” in Gemini are now “apps” and we’ve upgraded the model powering apps to 2.0 Flash
There are two updates for the Gemini app on web and mobile:
- “Extensions” in the Gemini app are now referred to as “apps”. Although there are no changes to functionality, please be mindful of this update. Gemini can connect to Google Workspace apps, like Drive or Gmail, to help provide more contextual and relevant responses to your prompts and allow you to take certain actions.
- The model powering apps in Gemini upgraded to 2.0 Flash Thinking (experimental). Built on the foundation of 2.0 Flash, this model delivers improved performance and better advanced reasoning capabilities with efficiency and speed.
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.
Improving Google Calendar's interoperability with Microsoft Outlook
Calendar now reliably processes calendaring emails sent using the Microsoft-specific format for rich text emails called Transport Neutral Encapsulation Format (TNEF). | Learn more about Calendar's interoperability with Microsoft Outlook.
Introducing the Salesforce for Gemini extension in Gmail
You can now install the Salesforce extension for Gemini in Google Workspace, which will allow you to get information from Salesforce and create leads and contacts directly from Gemini in the side panel of Gmail. | Learn more about the Salesforce for Gemini extension in Gmail.
Use Gemini in the side panel of Google Slides in seven new languages
You can now use Gemini in the side panel of Google Slides, which includes the ability to generate images, in the following seven new languages: French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish. | Learn more about using Gemini in Slides in new languages.
Enhancements for custom and AI-generated backgrounds in Google Meet
We introduced two improvements for creating custom background images with Gemini in Google Meet. | Learn more about backgrounds in Meet.
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.
Rapid Release Domains:
Scheduled Release Domains:
Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains:
- Improving Google Chat app commands
- Improving the cover images experience in Google Docs
- Create names for group direct messages in Google Chat (Android)
- “Take notes for me” in Google Meet now captures “next steps”
- “Take notes for me” in Google Meet now captures citations to transcripts
- Google Voice now supports call delegation
- Expanding SIP Link for Google Voice to new countries
- Transferring your personal Google Voice number to a Google Workspace business account just got easier
- Google Vids is expanding its AI voiceovers with new options
- Extending file upload to Gemini app users
- Google Vids introduces new looping animations feature
- Summaries in Google Chat home now available for direct messages and read conversations
- Improving Google Calendar's interoperability with Microsoft Outlook
- Introducing the Salesforce for Gemini extension in Gmail
For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).