This official feed from the Google Workspace team provides essential information about new features and improvements for Google Workspace customers.
rss_feed

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.
Advanced formatting for tables in Google Sheets

“Extensions” in Gemini are now “apps” and we’ve extended Workspace apps support to the 2.0 Flash Thinking (experimental) model
There are two updates for the Gemini app on web:

  • “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. 
  • We’ve extended support of the Workspace apps to the 2.0 Flash Thinking (experimental) model. Built on the foundation of 2.0 Flash, this model delivers improved performance and better advanced reasoning capabilities with efficiency and speed.

Rollout to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains is complete. | Available to all Google Workspace users accessing the Gemini app or Gemini Advanced. | Admins can visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Workspace extensions on or off for their organization, and end users should use this Help Center article to learn more about using apps connected to Gemini with a work or school Google Account.




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: 

    For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).       

    Read More

    What’s changing

    We’re introducing two improvements for creating custom background images with Gemini in Google Meet:

    • First, we’ve upgraded the image generation model, which will significantly improve the visual appeal and quality of generated backgrounds, while also better representing user requests.
    • Next, we’ve added several new preset styles to help you get started creating your own backgrounds. Specifically, you’ll see options for the following:
      • Professional office
      • Bookshelf
      • Stylish living room
      • Cozy living room
      • Tropical beach
      • Fantasy castle
      • Sci-fi spaceship



    Getting started


    Rollout pace

    Availability

    Available for Google Workspace:
    • Business Standard and Plus
    • Enterprise Standard and Plus
    • Also available with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on

    Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature:
    • Gemini Business*
    • Gemini Enterprise*
    • AI Meetings and Messages*

    *As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details.

    Resources

    Read More

    What’s changing

    Beginning today, you can 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 
    • Spanish 
    With Gemini in the side panel of your Workspace apps, you can get help summarizing, brainstorming, and generating content by utilizing insights gathered from your emails, documents, and more—all without switching applications or tabs. Check out our original announcements for Gemini in the side panel of Slides, Docs, Sheets, and Drive, and Gmail for even more information. 


    Additional details 

    • Users may see the “Alpha” badge as we bring more features into Gemini in the side panel of Google Workspace. 
    • Image generation of people is not supported in these additional languages at this time. 

    Getting started 

    • Admins: The default setting for Gemini features in Workspace services is on. See how you can manage access to AI features in Workspace services. 
    • End users: 
      • Gemini in the side panel will work according to the language you set in your Google account (myaccount.google.com/language). If you’re accessing other Gemini for Google Workspace features that are supported in English only, you will need to set your Google Account language to English. 
      • You can access the side panel by clicking on “Ask Gemini” (spark button) in the top right corner of Slides on the web. Visit the Help Center to learn more about collaborating with Gemini in the side panel of Slides. 

    Rollout pace 

    Availability 

    Available to Google Workspace: 
    • Business Standard and Plus 
    • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
    • Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on 
    • Customers with the Gemini Business or Gemini Enterprise add-on* 
    *As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details. 

    Resources

    Read More

    What’s changing

    Previously, we announced third party extensions for Salesforce and AI in Workspace. Beginning today, you can 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. 

    You can ask Gemini for help with Salesforce tasks directly from an email or your inbox. This includes things like “Create a lead in Salesforce”, “Create a contact in Salesforce” or “Show me the [Name] account in Salesforce” and more. 

    You can also take more complex actions, like “Research a lead’s company” which will return a relevant summary of information. Or you can pull information directly from Salesforce into Gmail by using the “Take action on this sales inquiry” to generate a sales brief based on an email message or thread. 

    tracking a salesforce lead using gemini in gmail

    Who’s impacted 

    Admins and end users 

    Why you’d use it 

    The Salesforce extension for Gemini in Google Workspace enhances CRM interaction by connecting you directly to Salesforce data without the need to switch between Gmail and Salesforce. You can ask questions and receive immediate answers, and generate valuable insights, helping to uncover potential opportunities. Further, features like email summarization, quick actions to add leads, and suggested responses let you focus more on selling and less on searching for information and more time building stronger customer relationships. 


    Additional details 

    The extension is currently only available in English and when using Gmail in a browser. 


    Getting started

    Rollout pace 

    Availability 

    Available to Google Workspace: 
    • Business Standard and Plus 
    • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
    • Customers with the Gemini Education or Gemini Education Premium add-on 
    Anyone who previously purchased these add-ons will also receive this feature: 
    • Gemini Business* 
    • Gemini Enterprise* 
    *As of January 15, 2025, we’re no longer offering the Gemini Business and Gemini Enterprise add-ons for sale. Please refer to this announcement for more details. 

    Resources 

    Read More

    What’s changing

    We recently announced an improved syncing experience from Google Calendar to third-party calendars, like Microsoft Outlook, that allows event guests to enjoy a more reliable syncing experience with less calendar emails in their inbox. 


    Building upon this, we’re excited to announce that Calendar now reliably processes calendaring emails sent using the Microsoft-specific format for rich text emails called Transport Neutral Encapsulation Format (TNEF). As a result, Calendar users and organizations that routinely collaborate with internal and external Outlook users will now benefit from a more reliable experience when receiving invitations and RSVPs from Outlook users. 


    Getting started 

    • Admins and end users: There is no admin controls or end user setting for this feature. 

    Rollout pace 


    Availability 

    • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts 

    Resources 

    Read More

    Useful Links

    Join the official community for Google Workspace administrators

    In the Google Cloud Community, discuss the latest features with Googlers and other Google Workspace admins like you. Learn tips and tricks that will make your work and life easier. Be the first to know what's happening with Google Workspace.

    Learn about more Google Workspace launches

    On the “What’s new in Google Workspace?” Help Center page, learn about new products and features launching in Google Workspace, including smaller changes that haven’t been announced on the Google Workspace Updates blog.

    Learn about our customers

    Discover how a diverse range of organizations, from small businesses and nimble startups to globally recognized Fortune 500 corporations, leverage the collaborative power of Google Workspace. Explore examples of how teams of are streamlining workflows and driving productivity by utilizing Google-Workspace.