This official feed from the Google Workspace team provides essential information about new features and improvements for Google Workspace customers.
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A summary of announcements from the last week:
The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Leverage the power of Gemini models to apply data classification labels in Google Drive - beta applications now open
Earlier this year, we announced a series of changes to AI classification for Google Drive, including a revamped user interface, an on-demand model training process, and support for multiple custom-trained models. Today, we’re excited to share the next step in the product’s evolution: Gemini-based models for data classification, now available in closed beta.  | Learn more about using Gemini with data classification labels. 

New AI-powered audio overviews for PDFs in Google Drive
We’re introducing AI-powered audio overviews for PDFs in Google Drive. This new Gemini for Google Workspace feature allows your users to instantly convert long, text-heavy PDFs—such as industry reports, contracts, or lengthy meeting transcripts—into a conversational, podcast-style audio summary. | Learn more about AI audio overviews in Drive. 

Available in open beta: Migrate files from Dropbox to Google Drive
Beginning today, the new Data Migration Service can be used to migrate files and folders from Dropbox to Google Drive. This allows organizations to transition easily from Dropbox to Google Workspace, by copying over files, folders and associated permissions securely. | Learn more about the Dropbox migration beta. 

Option for longer meeting notes with “take notes for me” in Google Meet
Meeting participants can now configure the length of their meeting notes when using the "take notes for me" feature in Google Meet. By selecting the "Longer" option from the "Notes Length" menu, you can generate notes that are roughly twice as long as the standard document to help capture all the important details. | Learn more about expanded options for taking notes. 

Analyze large-scale .csv files in Google Sheets with a new direct-to-BigQuery import
We're making it easier than ever to analyze massive datasets by more seamlessly connecting Google Sheets and BigQuery. Now, users will see a new option to import .csv files containing datasets of any size directly to BigQuery while opening large .csv files. | Learn more about the improved integration with BigQuery. 

Desk phone support and on-demand call recording now available in the Google Voice Starter plan
We’re expanding the capabilities of our Google Voice Starter plan by adding two highly requested features already available in Voice Standard and Voice Premier plans today: Desk phone and analog telephone adapter (ATA) support, and On-demand call recording. | Learn more about the new Google Voice features. 

Help me create in Google Forms now available in seven additional languages
Earlier this year, we announced Help me create in Google Forms. Now, it is also available to users in Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, French, Italian, and German. | Learn more about the new languages for Help me create in Forms. 
Read More

What’s changing

Earlier this year, we announced Help me create in Google Forms. Now, it is also available to users in Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, French, Italian, and German. You can use Help me create to enter a prompt that describes the form you want to create or a prompt that references supporting Docs, Sheets, Slides, or PDFs. Gemini will then generate a draft form, incorporating details from any files you reference, that can be used instantly or further customized.  


Help me create in Spanish helps users create a form with a simple prompt


Help me create in Spanish helps users create a form with a simple prompt

Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

Available for Google Workspace: 

  • Business Standard and Plus 
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
  • Google AI Pro for Education
  • Google AI Pro and Ultra 
Also available to:

  • Gemini Business, 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’re expanding the capabilities of our Google Voice Starter plan by adding two highly requested features already available in Voice Standard and Voice Premier plans today:

  • Desk phone and analog telephone adapter (ATA) support: Organizations using Google Voice Starter can now provision and manage compatible desk phones and adapters. This provides more flexibility, allowing users to make and receive calls on traditional desk hardware if they prefer.
  • On-demand call recording: End users can now easily record important calls for future reference, training, or compliance. An intuitive record button will be available in the Google Voice interface during active calls.
These features make the Google Voice Starter plan a more complete solution for organizations that need core telephony features combined with the flexibility of Google Workspace.

Getting started

  • Admins:
    • Desk phone support: This feature must be enabled by an administrator. 
    • Call recording: This feature will be ON by default for Voice Starter add-on subscriptions. It can be disabled at the organizational unit (OU) or group level. Note there is no admin control for Voice Starter standalone subscriptions (with a personal @gmail.com account).
  • End users:
    • Desk phone support: Once enabled by your admin, you can add a new desk phone in your Google Voice settings.
    • Call recording: If enabled for your account, you will see a “Record” button during your calls.

Rollout pace

  • Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting November 12, 2025

Availability

  • Available for Google Voice Starter, Standard, and Premier

Resources

Read More

What’s changing

We're making it easier than ever to analyze massive datasets by more seamlessly connecting Google Sheets and BigQuery. Now, users will see a new option to import .csv files containing datasets of any size directly to BigQuery while opening large .csv files from Drive or via the Data > Data Connectors menu flow in Sheets. From there, users can analyze the entire dataset using familiar Sheets features such as charts, pivot tables, and formulas via Connected Sheets. 

Previously, preparing a large dataset for analysis in Connected Sheets was often a multi-step process that could have involved relying on separate data pipelines, processing tools or multiple upload steps, all before the user could return to Sheets to start their analysis. This new connectivity expedites the analysis workflow by allowing users to directly ingest large datasets and begin analysis seamlessly, all within a single interface. This update will help users move from raw data to insights much faster.

Part of the upload dialog when users choose to import a file to BigQuery via the Google Sheets interface


Part of the upload dialog when users choose to import a file to BigQuery via the Google Sheets interface


Users with appropriate permissions will also see a new option to import with Connected Sheets when a file is too large for native upload to Sheets


Users with appropriate permissions will also see a new option to import with Connected Sheets when a file is too large for native upload to Sheets

Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

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

Resources


Read More

What’s happening

Meeting participants can now configure the length of their meeting notes when using the "take notes for me" feature in Google Meet. By selecting the "Longer" option from the "Notes Length" menu, you can generate notes that are roughly twice as long as the standard document to help capture all the important details. Turn on longer notes for technical discussions, complex project meetings, or any session where every detail is critical.

Caption: Longer notes can be enabled by selecting “Longer” in Notes Length settings. Alt text: An animation showing the process of selecting the “Longer” option in the Notes Length settings for the “Take notes for me” feature in Google Meet.

Caption: Longer notes can be enabled by selecting “Longer” in Notes Length settings.

Alt text: An animation showing the process of selecting the “Longer” option in the Notes Length settings for the “Take notes for me” feature in Google Meet.

Note: This feature is currently only available in English. 

Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
  • End users: This feature will be OFF by default and can be enabled by the user. Visit the Help Center to learn more.

Rollout pace

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

  • Business Standard and Plus
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Google AI Pro for Education
  • Frontline Plus
Also available to:

  • Google One AI Premium 
  • Google AI Pro and Ultra
  • Gemini Business, 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

Beginning today, the new Data Migration Service can be used to migrate files and folders from Dropbox to Google Drive. This allows organizations to transition easily from Dropbox to Google Workspace, by copying over files, folders and associated permissions securely. 

You can start and complete a migration in a few simple steps:

  • Connect to your Dropbox business account from which you want to copy data.
  • Specify which users or team folders you want to copy from and which user’s MyDrive or Google shared drive should contain the copied data.
  • Specify users and groups whose permissions should be copied.
Example of a running Dropbox to Google Drive migration
Example of a running Dropbox to Google Drive migration

Additional details

  • You can migrate data from up to 100 Dropbox users or team folders at a time to MyDrive or Google shared drives respectively.
  • You can find comprehensive reporting on migration progress, including site and file counts (migrated/skipped). You can also export migration reports for error investigation and troubleshooting. 
  • Delta updates are available to migrate newly added or updated files.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

  • Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
  • Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus
  • Essentials Starter, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Education Fundamentals, Standard, Plus
  • Nonprofits

Resources


Read More

What’s happening

To improve data governance, we’re changing how secondary calendar ownership is defined in Google Calendar. A secondary calendar is any calendar that you create or a group calendar that is shared with you. Previously, secondary calendars could only be managed at the organization level. 

Going forward, each secondary calendar will have a single, dedicated owner. When a new secondary calendar is created, the creator becomes the calendar owner. For existing secondary calendars, an owner will be automatically assigned based on the calendar’s permissions. The calendar will inherit the organizational policies from its owner. This provides fine-grained control for admins to define policies for each calendar, such as data regions or assured controls.

Additionally, we’re introducing the ability to transfer secondary calendar ownership to another user in the same organization, through Google Calendar settings (for end users) or the Admin console (for admins). This is especially helpful when a calendar owner changes teams or leaves the organization, to ensure the calendar remains associated with the appropriate owner.

How the owner is shown in Calendar settings
How the owner is shown in Calendar settings

How the owner can be transferred from Calendar settings
How the owner can be transferred from Calendar settings
How the owner can be transferred in the Admin console
How the owner can be transferred in the Admin console

Additional details

The Google Calendar API has been updated to reflect these changes. Developers can retrieve the secondary calendar owner using the API for Calendars and CalendarList. In addition, we’ve added updates to ensure only the secondary calendar owner can delete the calendar, and that their access level cannot be downgraded as long as they are the owner.

Please refer to the API release notes for additional information.

Getting started

  • Admins: This feature will be ON by default and cannot be disabled. To help manage this transition, admins can now transfer the ownership of secondary calendars from one user to another directly in the Admin console.
  • End users: This feature will be ON by default and cannot be disabled. For existing secondary calendars, an owner will be automatically assigned based on the calendar’s permissions. End users who own a secondary calendar can transfer ownership to another user.

Rollout pace

Availability

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google accounts
Read More

What’s happening

We’re introducing AI-powered audio overviews for PDFs in Google Drive.

This new Gemini for Google Workspace feature allows your users to instantly convert long, text-heavy PDFs—such as industry reports, contracts, or lengthy meeting transcripts—into a conversational, podcast-style audio summary. With just one click, a new audio file is saved directly to their Drive. This feature is powered by the same underlying technology as NotebookLM’s popular Audio Overview feature.


Add GIF

In today's fast-paced environment, dedicating time to read long documents can be a significant challenge. Audio overviews solve this by allowing users to absorb critical information while they are multitasking. Users can listen to the summaries from anywhere they can access their Drive files, whether they’re commuting, working out, or doing chores.

This feature can help your users:


  • Boost efficiency by allowing users to quickly grasp the main points of a long document in a two- to 10-minute audio summary,
  • Improve accessibility by providing an alternative format for consuming content, and
  • Enhance preparation by making it easier to quickly review materials before meetings or client presentations.
Once the audio overview is generated on a desktop, the user receives an email notification that the file is ready. The audio file is automatically saved to a new "Audio overviews" folder in their Drive, which they can then access from any mobile or desktop device.

Please note: At launch, this feature supports English-language PDFs only.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

Available for Google Workspace

  • Business Standard and Plus 
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus 
Also available to

  • Google One AI Pro and AI Ultra
  • Google AI Ultra for Business
  • Google AI Pro for Education 

Resources

Read More

What’s changing

Earlier this year, we announced a series of changes to AI classification for Google Drive, including a revamped user interface, an on-demand model training process, and support for multiple custom-trained models. Today, we’re excited to share the next step in the product’s evolution: Gemini-based models for data classification, now available in closed beta.  

This feature leverages Gemini models to apply data classification labels to files in Google Drive. To date, AI classification requires admins to identify and manually label training files for the AI model to learn the types of data associated with each data classification level. With this new capability, Gemini models offers admins another method to set up AI classification by eliminating the need for manual model training, replacing the process with administrator-defined instructions or prompts.

Gemini models interpret prompts, evaluate files, and apply appropriate data classification labels based on the provided instructions. For files labeled by Gemini, editors and owners on those files with the appropriate label permissions will have the opportunity to review and accept or modify the automatically applied label. 

Administrators maintain full control.

Administrators maintain full control. They select the label, provide instructions via a prompt, and scope the audience whose files are being evaluated. Audit logs capture when files are labeled or any user acceptance or modification of a Gemini-applied label occurs.  

Who’s impacted

Admins 

Why it matters

Data classification is a critical activity for organizations that are conscious about data protection, compliance, and reporting. However, data classification can also be challenging to put into practice, particularly when it comes to accurately classifying files at scale.  Using AI for data classification aims to address this problem by using a model’s ability to reason to achieve a high degree of data classification accuracy, at scale. 

Rollout pace

  • Closed Beta - customers must be manually enrolled to begin testing.

Getting started

  • Admins:  For customers interested in testing, we kindly ask that you share your interest by filling out this form. 
    • Please note – during this phase of product validation, enrollment will be limited. Our intent is to gradually onboard customers leading up to an Open Beta. 
    • Ideal closed-beta participants will be organizations with existing data classification programs, who have the capacity to actively test the models and are willing to engage with the Workspace product team to provide direct feedback on their experience. 
    • If you are selected for the Closed Beta, you will receive an email detailing specific onboarding instructions. 
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace:

  • Enterprise Plus 

Resources


Read More

 

A summary of announcements from the last week:
The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

New to Google Meet: Continue your conversations in Google Chat
GStarting November 10, your Google Meet in-meeting messages will be powered by and available in Google Chat. That means the meaningful feedback that was messaged during the meeting, or key resources and links that were shared are now easily accessible to meeting attendees after the meeting, in a shared Google Chat conversation. | Learn more about continuing conversations between Chat and Meet. 

Controls for restricting conversation creation in Google Chat available to more organizations
We are expanding an existing Google Chat feature to more Workspace customers. This feature gives administrators the ability to limit who can create new conversations in Google Chat. When this setting is applied to users (through an organizational unit or a Google Group), those users will be prevented from initiating new conversations, or adding new members to existing conversations. | Learn more about the new Google Chat controls. 

Updated Chat header helps you navigate chat more quickly and easily
We are introducing a redesigned Google Chat conversation header on the web. The new header offers a simpler, more consistent layout that makes key tools easier to find and use. It includes a side panel where users can access shared content and manage tasks without leaving the conversation view. | Learn more about the new header in Google Chat. 

Set sharing expirations on files and folders in shared drives
We previously introduced the option to set expirations on files that reside in shared drives using the Google Drive API. Today, we are bringing the ability to set expiring access for files and folders in shared drives directly from the sharing dialog. This highly-requested feature brings the ease and security of My Drive access controls into your collaborative shared drives. | Learn more about expiring access in shared drives. 

Bringing inline threading to direct messages in Google Chat
We’re excited to announce that inline threading is rolling out for direct messages (DMs) and group direct messages (gDMs) in Google Chat. This has been a highly requested feature, and we're pleased to deliver it as part of our effort to simplify the Chat experience and address top user feedback about conversation consistency. | Learn more about threading in Chat DMs. 

Gemini Deep Research now integrates with your Workspace content
We’re expanding the capabilities of Gemini’s Deep Research feature by integrating it with your Google Workspace apps. This update allows Deep Research to seamlessly gather information from your content in Gmail, Chat, and Drive - including Slides, Sheets and Docs files - in addition to the web, to create a more comprehensive and personalized report. | Learn more about using Deep Research with your Workspace content. 

Use a wider range of emoji reactions in Google Meet
Google Meet users now have access to the full emoji library for reactions in Google Meet. Reactions let users engage with the content in a meeting, share meaningful feedback or praise, and celebrate company culture all through emoji. | Learn more about additional emoji reactions in Meet. 
Read More

What’s changing 

Google Meet users now have access to the full emoji library for reactions in Google Meet. Reactions let users engage with the content in a meeting, share meaningful feedback or praise, and celebrate company culture all through emoji. 


A user sending Emoji reactions “Heart on fire” and “Party face” from the extended set 

Getting started 


Limitations 

  • Meet Rooms hardware will not have the extended Emoji selections available but will be able to receive and display reactions from the extended Emoji set. The currently existing options will remain available to send reactions. Joining the Meet call with companion mode from your personal device will enable you to send reactions from the extended Emoji set. 
  • Live stream viewers will not have the extended Emoji selections available but will be able to receive and display reactions from the extended Emoji set. The current existing options will remain available to send reactions. 
  • On iOS devices, the capability to send reactions from the extended set will be added at a later point in time. On the initial rollout, iOS users will be able to see reactions from the extended set sent by those on compatible platforms. 
  • Organizational custom Emojis are not supported. 

Rollout pace 

Admin controls 


End user feature availability 


Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 

  • Business Standard and Plus 
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus 

Resources 

Read More

What’s changing

We’re expanding the capabilities of Gemini’s Deep Research feature by integrating it with your Google Workspace apps. This update allows Deep Research to seamlessly gather information from your content in Gmail, Chat, and Drive - including Slides, Sheets and Docs files - in addition to the web, to create a more comprehensive and personalized report.

Previously, users had to manually upload individual files from Drive to supplement their Deep Research. Now, Deep Research can pull securely from your Workspace content, including emails and even chats, informing reports with relevant context.


This update helps end users, including students, educators and those in small businesses, to do their best work by making research more efficient and context-aware. Your users can now integrate information directly from:

  • Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and PDFs in Drive, including non-Google files
  • Context from emails in Gmail
  • Information from Chat messages
Example use cases for end users:

  • Business planning: Users can ask Deep Research to kickstart analysis for a new product using team documents, build out a competitor report referencing internal strategy memos and communications, or help onboard onto a new project quickly after analyzing documents, emails, and chat history.
  • Project catch-up: Get quickly caught up on an in-progress project by asking, "Catch me up on my <some project you have docs, chats, emails about. e.g., my remodeling project>. What are some decisions I need to make, and for each, can you research potential options".
  • Academic research: Students and faculty can ask Deep Research to review their existing notes and research papers on a topic and combine that with web research to pull together an insightful report that includes insights from their own documents.

Getting started

Rollout pace

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

  • Business Starter, Standard, Plus
  • Enterprise Starter, Standard, Plus
  • Education Fundamentals, Standard, and Plus
  • Frontline Starter and Standard
  • Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Nonprofits
Available for Google Workspace customers with these add-ons:

  • Gemini Business*
  • Gemini Enterprise*
  • Google AI Pro for Education
*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’re excited to announce that inline threading is rolling out for direct messages (DMs) and group direct messages (gDMs) in Google Chat. This has been a highly requested feature, and we're pleased to deliver it as part of our effort to simplify the Chat experience and address top user feedback about conversation consistency.

Until now, inline threading was only available in spaces. With this update, you can now reply in-thread to any message in a direct conversation, just as you do in a space. This helps to keep conversations organized, allowing you and your colleagues to follow specific topics and avoid cluttering the main chat stream.

Getting started

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. This feature will be ON by default as it rolls out.

Rollout pace

Availability

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

Resources

Read More

What’s changing

We previously introduced the option to set expirations on files that reside in shared drives using the Google Drive API. Today, we are bringing the ability to set expiring access for files and folders in shared drives directly from the sharing dialog. This highly-requested feature brings the ease and security of My Drive access controls into your collaborative shared drives.

File expirations

You can now set expirations when sharing files in a shared drive. This lets you add an expiration date right in the sharing dialog for temporary collaborators, ensuring access is automatically revoked and eliminating the need for manual cleanup.
Add expiration while sharing files in shared drives.

Add expiration while sharing files in shared drives.

Folder expirations

For shared drive folders, you can now apply an expiration date specifically to the Viewer role. This setting is easily accessible in the folder's sharing dialog, helping you automatically remove read-only access when a collaborator's temporary need is finished.
Add expiration for Viewer role while sharing folders in shared drives.

Consistent expiration behavior in My Drive

We're standardizing access expiration for files and folders in My Drive. The experience is now consistent with shared drives, making it more predictable for you to know when access will expire.

Old behavior: If you granted someone temporary Editor access to a file inside a parent folder they could only view, they would lose all access to the file once their Editor permission expired.

New behavior: When their temporary Editor access expires, their permission will revert to the access they have on the parent folder (in this case, Viewer). They will not lose access to the file completely.

Editor access expires, and reverts to Viewer access (user has Viewer access on the parent folder).
Editor access expires, and reverts to Viewer access (user has Viewer access on the parent folder).

Getting started

You can only set sharing expirations on Web and Android phones. Expirations cannot be set on iOS devices in My Drive or shared drives.

Rollout pace

Availability

Available to Google Workspace:

  • Business Starter, Standard, Plus
  • Enterprise Starter, Standard, Plus
  • Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus
  • Education Standard, Plus
  • Nonprofits
  • Frontline Starter, Standard, Plus
Also available to:
  • Google One AI Premium 
  • Google AI Pro and Ultra
  • Gemini Business, 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 are introducing a redesigned Google Chat conversation header on the web. The new header offers a simpler, more consistent layout that makes key tools easier to find and use. It includes a side panel where users can access shared content and manage tasks without leaving the conversation view. The panel’s width can be adjusted or expanded to a full-screen view as needed.

Specifically, the new header has icons which can be used to: 

  • Select “Shared” to access shared files, links and media. 
  • Select “Tasks” to create and manage space tasks.
  • Select “Threads” to see and respond to active threads. 
  • Select “Board” to see pinned messages, files and shared links.  
Navigating between Shared, Tasks, Threads, and Board by clicking on header icons


Navigating between Shared, Tasks, Threads, and Board by clicking on header icons


Side panels can expand into fullscreen with the drag bar
Side panels can expand into fullscreen with the drag bar

Getting started

  • Admins: This feature will be on by default. There is no admin control for this feature.
  • End users: This feature will be on by default for users on the web. To use it, look for the icons in the top right of your Chat window. Use our Help Center to learn how to navigate Google Chat. 

Rollout pace

Availability

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

Resources

Read More

What’s changing

We are expanding an existing Google Chat feature, previously only available for Education customers, to more Workspace customers.

This feature gives administrators the ability to limit who can create new conversations in Google Chat. When this setting is applied to users (through an organizational unit or a Google Group), those users will be prevented from initiating new conversations, or adding new members to existing conversations.

Users with this restriction can continue to converse in conversations they are already a member of. 

Why it’s important

Similar to how this feature is used for students, it allows organizations to enable Chat for a segment of employees such that they can receive important messages and contribute to existing conversations, while limiting their ability to create new, unmanaged conversations. This helps provide a safer and easier way for organizations to communicate. 

Getting started

  • Admins: This feature will be OFF by default. It can be enabled for specific users by placing them in an Organizational Unit (OU) or a Google Group and applying the setting in the Admin console.
  • End users: There is no end-user setting for this feature. If this policy is applied to your account by your administrator, you will not be able to start new conversations or create spaces, but you can still reply to conversations you are added to.

Rollout pace

Availability

  • Business Plus
  • Enterprise Standard and Plus
  • Business Continuity and Continuity Plus 
  • Frontline Plus and Frontline Standard 

Resources

Read More

What’s happening? 

Starting November 10, your Google Meet in-meeting messages will be powered by and available in Google Chat. 

That means the meaningful feedback that was messaged during the meeting, or key resources and links that were shared are now easily accessible to meeting attendees after the meeting, in a shared Google Chat conversation.


This change brings the power of Google Chat to Meet, creating a richer in-meeting messaging experience. Meeting attendees can now respond to messages with emojis, and share images and files directly in Google Meet. Attendees can send pre-reads and other meeting materials to the group ahead of the meeting in Google Chat, and these resources will be available in Google Meet throughout the call. This launch also consolidates all your messaging and conversations into Google Chat, making it easy to find messages or shared files all in one place. 


This change is designed to improve post-meeting follow-through, leading to increased team productivity, and we’re excited for what this will mean for your teams and their collaboration. 

Getting started 

Admins: 

  • Availability: All end users in your org will have this feature on eligible meetings. 
  • Data retention & DLP: These messages are stored in a Google Chat conversation, and will respect the retention policies and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) rules you have configured for Google Chat. 
  • If disabled by host: If a host turns off continuous meeting chat for a specific meeting, that meeting will use the existing, unlinked in-call messaging. To retain such messages, you must record the meeting. 

End Users: 

  • Eligible meetings: This feature is available for meetings scheduled in Google Calendar. It applies to the meeting host and all other invited attendees who are part of the host's domain. 
  • Host control: Meeting hosts retain full control and can disable this feature for any meeting. This option must be toggled in the Google Calendar event's video call options before the meeting starts and cannot be changed once the meeting is in progress. 



  • External attendees: To ensure security and clarity, external attendees will only have access to the chat during the time they are in the meeting. They will not be able to participate in a conversation before a meeting nor see the conversation history after one. Internal attendees will see clear ‘external’ indicators and banners when guests are present in the conversation. 



Rollout pace 

  • Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (up to 30 days for feature visibility) starting no earlier than November 10, 2025
  • Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting no earlier than December 3, 2025

Availability 

Available to all Google Workspace business and enterprise customers with the following plans: 

  • Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus 
  • Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus 
  • Frontline Starter, Frontline Standard, Frontline Plus 

Resources 

Read More

 

A summary of announcements from the last two weeks:
The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last two weeks. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Gemini in Google Sheets can now analyze data across multiple tables
Gemini in Sheets can understand and analyze multiple tables within a single tab of a spreadsheet.  This new functionality allows you to ask questions and perform analysis that spans multiple data sources, dramatically increasing the power and accuracy of your queries. | Learn more about the upgrades to Gemini in Sheets. 

Protecting Gmail users from XS-Search with Cross-Origin Opener Policy (COOP)
Gmail is enhancing user security by enabling the Cross-Origin Opener Policy (COOP). As a result, developers of websites and browser extensions opening or manipulating the Gmail page may have to update their code to ensure continued functionality when enforcement begins on January 20, 2026. There is no action needed from Workspace admins or end users. | Learn more about COOP for Gmail. 

AI credit overages admin control and related billing
We previously announced an increased credit limit of 25,000 credits per user per month for Google AI Ultra for Business users. Now, we're adding a new admin control that enables admins to allow users with an Google AI Ultra for Business license to exceed their 25,000 per user per month AI credit limit. | Learn more about the new admin usage and billing controls. 

Educators can now convert rubrics in Google Classroom from Drive or local files with help from Gemini
educators can now quickly adapt existing rubrics from Drive or local files for Google Classroom assignments with Gemini's assistance. From the Rubric menu in the assignment creation screen, educators can now select “Convert from file” to instantly turn existing rubrics from various files and use them in Google Classroom, without the need to enter the information manually. | Learn more about adapting rubrics in Google Classroom. 

Use emoji reactions in your client-side encrypted documents
We’re excited to announce that client-side encrypted (CSE) files including Google Docs, Sheets and Slides now support emoji reactions. Users can use emojis to react to comments and content, bringing an expressive collaboration feature to CSE files. | Learn more about emoji reactions in CSE docs. 

Ask Gemini in Google Meet coming to Workspace enterprise customers
Last month, we announced that Ask Gemini in Meet was starting to roll out for select Workspace customers. Today, the experience is now rolling out to Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus domains. Ask Gemini in Meet brings the power of Gemini into your organization’s meetings. Acting as a personal assistant, it can help make meetings more productive and more efficient. | Learn more about the expansion of Ask Gemini in Meet. 

Introducing a new waiting rooms experience in Google Meet
We’re introducing waiting rooms in Google Meet, giving you more control over your meetings. As a meeting host or co-host, you can choose to have participants join a waiting room before they join the call. | Learn more about waiting rooms in Google Meet. 

New LaTeX features in the Gemini app
We are introducing improved LaTeX rendering and PDF export capabilities directly within the Gemini app. LaTeX is a document preparation system widely used in academic, scientific, and technical fields to create high-quality documents with complex formatting, such as mathematical equations, tables, and multi-column layouts. | Learn more about LaTeX in Gemini. 

Generate presentations in the Gemini app
We are introducing the ability to create slide presentations in the Gemini app through Canvas. Simply provide an idea with a simple text prompt or upload a source, and Gemini will generate a set of slides — complete with a theme and relevant images. Then, export the presentation from the Gemini app directly to Google Slides to continue to refine or collaborate with others. | Learn more about generating presentations with Gemini. 

Enhanced admin audit log events
We are updating the schema and event modeling for several Admin audit log events, specifically some of the events related to account security, Gmail, and Drive settings, along with other admin-defined setting audit logs. These improvements aim to make the logs more understandable, detailed, and precise. | Learn more about the enhanced audit logs. 

More powerful pivot tables in Connected Sheets
We are rolling out two significant updates to Connected Sheets pivot tables backed by BigQuery, designed to increase analytical capacity and streamline your workflow. First, we’re doubling row capacity for pivot tables backed by BigQuery in Connected Sheets, from 100,000 to 200,000 rows. Second, we’re launching the ability to “drill down” into Connected Sheets pivot tables, allowing you to immediately access the granular data making up any aggregated value. | Learn more about the improved pivot tables in Connected Sheets. 

Improve your writing by grounding Gemini in Google Docs in sources
We’re excited to announce source-grounded writing help in Google Docs. Gemini will automatically curate a list of sources linked in your document and you can choose to ask it to only pull details from those sources when providing writing assistance via the side panel. This will keep suggestions focused and grounded in trusted content. | Learn more about source grounding Gemini in Google Docs. 

Improving the Workday Google Chat app
The latest update  for Workday Google Chat app update makes it easier to manage time off with a single, improved flow to request, view, or cancel time off, along with quick commands to check balances and company holidays. | Learn more about the improvements to the Workday Chat app. 


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 What’s changing

The latest update  for Workday Google Chat app update makes it easier to manage time off with a single, improved flow to request, view, or cancel time off, along with quick commands to check balances and company holidays.


Improving the Workday Google Chat app

Getting started

  • Workday Admins: Workday Admins must activate OAuth and create a new API client for the Google integration setup within Workday. The workday admin must make note of the following details during the API client setup, required for the next step: 
    • Client ID
    • Secret ID
    • Workday REST API Endpoint
    • Workday Token Endpoint
    • Workday Authorization Endpoint
  • Workspace Admins: Admins need to allowlist the add-on to ensure end users have access. Visit the Help Center to learn how to manage Google Workspace Marketplace apps. Once allowed, the admin can either install the app to the domain, or install individually. After installation you will be asked to configure authorization in Workday (this requires the information above obtained during API client setup); This authorization will apply to all users of Workday within your domain. 
  • End users: If enabled by your admin, install the add-on by going to the Google Workspace Marketplace listing. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using the Workday app in Google Chat.

Rollout pace

Availability

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

Resources

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