Tag Archives: Google Sheets

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – October 14, 2022

New updates 


There are no new updates to share this week. Please see below for a recap of published announcements. 


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.



In-room meeting participants can now join break out rooms 
When using Google Meet Hardware devices, meeting hosts can now assign conference rooms to breakout rooms. | Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, Frontline, and Nonprofits customers only. | Learn more. 


Transcribe speech during Google Meet calls into a Google Doc 
You can now transcribe a Google Meet video meeting into a Google Doc. The transcribed file is saved in the hosts “Meet Recordings” folder in Google Drive, similar to meeting recordings. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and the Teaching and Learning Upgrade customers only. | Learn more. 


Use SIP Link to link phone numbers from local carriers to Google Voice 
For Google Voice Standard and Premier customers, admins can now connect a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunk with Voice. This allows phone numbers (PSTN services) from local carriers to be used for Google Voice through a secure set of certified Session Border Controllers (SBCs), such as Audiocodes, Cisco, Oracle, and Ribbon. | Available with Voice Standard and Voice Premier licenses only. | Learn more. 


Preview and interact with files using smart chips in Google Sheets 
As an extension of smart canvas, you can now add Google Drive files directly into a Google Sheet as a smart chip. | Learn more. 


Expanding smart chips to include events in Google Sheets 
In addition to the recent announcement of adding files to Google Sheets using smart chips, we're also making it easier for you to quickly insert Calendar events into Sheets. | Learn more. 


Join or start a meeting directly from Jamboard on the web to kickstart collaboration 
We’re expanding interoperability with Google Meet and Jamboard with the option to join or start a meeting directly from Jamboard on the web. This makes it easier for you to seamlessly present your jam and start collaborating. | Learn more. 


Data loss prevention for Google Chat now generally available 
Over the next several weeks, data loss prevention (DLP) rules for Google Chat will become generally available for select Google Workspace editions. Data protection rules for Chat help admins and security experts build a stronger framework around sensitive data to prevent personal or proprietary information from ending up in the wrong hands. | Learn more. 

Improve your visibility in Google Meet video calls
Google Meet can now automatically frame your video before joining a meeting to help ensure equal visibility for all participants. The automatic framing happens only once, so there are no motion distractions that can divert attention from the content of the meeting. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Starter, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, Education Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Workspace Individual customers with eligible devices. Also available to Google One subscribers with 2TB or more storage space with eligible devices. | Learn more. 

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

Expanding smart chips to include events in Google Sheets

This announcement was made at Google Cloud Next ‘22. Check out Next OnAir to tune into the livestream or watch session recordings following the event. Visit the Cloud Blog to learn more about the latest Google Workspace innovations for the ever-changing world of work. 

What’s changing

In addition to the recent announcement of adding files to Google Sheets using smart chips, we're also making it easier for you to quickly insert Calendar events into Sheets.

This additional smart canvas feature allows you to search for events from Calendar or copy Calendar links and place them directly into Sheets. You will then see the event name and an actionable hover card in the cell.

event chips v2

Who’s impacted


End users 


Why you’d use it 


When creating analysis, tracking progress, or updating data in Sheets, your Calendar is now at your fingertips. In addition, through the hovercard view, you can review attendees, times, and other meeting metadata. 



Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: To add Calendar events into Sheets, type "@" in any cell and search for your Calendar events or navigate to Insert>Chips>Events. Visit the Help Center to learn more about inserting smart chips in Google Sheets.

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Available to users with personal Google Accounts 


Resources 

Preview and interact with files using smart chips in Google Sheets

This announcement was made at Google Cloud Next ‘22. Check out Next OnAir to tune into the livestream or watch session recordings following the event. Visit the Cloud Blog to learn more about the latest Google Workspace innovations for the ever-changing world of work. 

Quick summary

In 2021, we announced the ability to insert smart chips for files and meetings in Google Docs. As an extension of smart canvas, you can now add Google Drive files directly into a Google Sheet as a smart chip. This will make it much easier for you to quickly preview and interact with files in Sheets. 

filechipsinsheets v2

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: You can insert a chip in a Sheets cell by following one or all of the following methods: 
    • Type “@” followed by a file name or keyword directly in the cell 
    • Navigate to Insert > Smart Chips > File chip 
    •  Paste a Google Drive link directly in the cell, hover over the preview, right-click, and select “Convert to file chip.” 
    •  Visit the Help Center to learn more about inserting smart chips in Google Sheets. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – September 9, 2022

New updates 

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace and G Suite customers.  

Dual pane view on Keep
In addition to Drag out from Keep and a number of other features supporting the mission to provide a top-class user experience on large screen devices, we’re introducing Dual pane view on Keep. This allows you to browse Keep notes on the left side of your screen, while editing content on the right side of your screen. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains began September 8, 2022 at a Gradual pace (up to 15 days for feature visibility). | Learn more. 

dual pane on keep

Multi-instance support on Docs, Sheets & Slides
Get better insight into your files by having two windows open side-by-side. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains began September 7, 2022 at a Gradual pace (up to 15 days for feature visibility). | Learn more. 

View information about recipients on Android
While using the Gmail app on Android devices, you can now view details about a person, such as their phone number or email address, by tapping their name or avatar when composing an email. | This is now available to all users. 

Upon tapping Elisa's image or name, more information will appear 

Keep contacts up to date with fewer clicks
You can now edit someone’s contact information from their information card in apps like Gmail, Calendar, Voice, and Docs on your Android device. Upon clicking the edit button, you will be prompted to make updates in the Contacts app. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains began September 7, 2022 at an Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility). 

contact edit

Notification permission now required for devices running Android 13
Upon upgrading to the latest platform release, Android 13, you will have to explicitly accept notification permissions to receive Chat notifications. | Roll out to all Android users began September 9, 2022 at a Gradual pace (up to 15 days for feature visibility). | Learn more. 


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. 

Calendar User Availability API launching to beta soon, sign-up now and preview documentation in advance
There is an upcoming beta available for the Calendar User Availability API that can be used to programmatically access the working location feature in Google Calendar. Access the beta through the Google Workspace Developer Preview Program. | While all developers will be able to use the API, apps created using the API are accessible to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade and Nonprofits customers, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers only. | Learn more. 

Scaling our Calendar Interop offering
Admins can now configure multiple role accounts in the Calendar Interop Admin console. This will provide support for a higher number of requests and enable Calendar Interop to work more seamlessly at scale. | Learn more. 

Updating framing options for Google Meet hardware in the Admin console
Over the coming weeks, we will replace the current continuous framing setting with the option to set default framing options based on the camera capabilities of the device — such as the option to frame people by default and speaker or group framing, which will be introduced in the future. | Available for all supported Google Meet hardware devices that have not yet reached their auto-update expiration date. | Learn more. 


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

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – August 26, 2022

New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are fully launched or in the process of rolling out (rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete), 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), and available to all Google Workspace and G Suite customers. 


To unmute yourself, press and hold the spacebar. To mute again, release the spacebar. 
To quickly unmute yourself during a meeting, you can now hold down the spacebar to be unmuted, then release the spacebar to return to a muted state. We hope this makes it even easier for you to participate in your meetings by quickly unmuting to say something. This feature will also help in situations where you forget to mute again after unmuting yourself. This feature is OFF by default and can be enabled in the Google Meet settings. | Roll out to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains begins September 9, 2022 at a Gradual pace (up to 15 days for feature visibility). | Available to all Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts on all web browsers. | Learn more. 


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.


Updated “Hey Google” voice control behavior for Google Meet hardware devices 
We’ve changed how the “Hey Google” voice control works for Google Meet hardware devices. With this update, the Google assistant will only be active when a device is not in a meeting and within 10 minutes of an upcoming meeting. | Available for all supported Google Meet hardware devices that have not yet reached their auto-update expiration date. | Learn more. 

Upgrade to OAuth 2.0 to continue using Calendar Interop by October 1, 2022 
On October 1, 2022, Microsoft will begin to remove the ability to use Basic authentication in Exchange Online for Exchange Web Services. To continue using Calendar Interop, upgrade to OAuth 2.0 authentication before October 1, 2022. | Impacting Workspace customers using Calendar Interop with Basic authentication on Microsoft Office 365. | Learn more. 

Adding more flexibility to functions in Sheets 
We’ve introduced named functions, a new feature that allows you to create high-performance custom functions that support built-in Sheets formula constructs. | Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, and Education Plus customers only. | Learn more. 

More ways to collaborate using visitor sharing in Google Drive 
You can now use visitor sharing to allow non-Google users to upload content or create files within shared drives owned by organizations and users on Google Workspace. | Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Education Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus customers only. | Learn more. 

Easily search for Chat spaces in Gmail 
We’ve introduced the ability to find and join spaces through Gmail search on web. | Learn more. 


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

More ways to collaborate using visitor sharing in Google Drive

Quick summary 

Currently, you can use visitor sharing—secure, pincode-based collaboration—to share items with non-Google accounts. This allows non-Google users to view, comment on, or edit content in Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Sites. Beginning today, you can use visitor sharing to allow non-Google users to upload content or create files within shared drives owned by organizations and users on Google Workspace. 



Getting started 

  • Admins:This update will be available by default when visitor sharing is turned on for your organization. Visit this Help Center article to learn more about turning visitor sharing on or off for your organization.
  • End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. If enabled by your admin, visit this Help Center article to learn more about visitor sharing. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Standard, Business Plus, Education Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus customers 
  • Not available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Enterprise Essentials, Education Fundamentals, Frontline, and Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Not available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

Adding more flexibility to functions in Sheets

What’s changing

We’re introducing named functions, a new feature that allows you to create high-performance custom functions that support built-in Sheets formula constructs. To maintain reusability across files, you can also import named functions from existing Sheets files, allowing you to use functions created in one Sheets file in a different Sheets file. 


named functions

Who’s impacted 

Admins and end users 


Why it matters 

Named functions provide greater formula flexibility, readability, and reusability within and across Sheets. Formulas that were previously complex and difficult to understand can now be simplified into more comprehensible and reusable named functions. 


This feature also builds upon our recent formula enhancements: intelligent corrections for formulas and suggestions for formulas and functions in Sheets. 


Additional details 

We’re also launching a bundle of new and powerful functions in Sheets: 
  • LAMBDA: Creates and returns a custom function, given a set of names and a formula_expression which uses them. The formula_expression can be calculated by calling the returned function with as many values as the names declared. 
  • Lambda Helper Functions - MAP, REDUCE, BYROW, BYCOL, SCAN, MAKEARRAY: Advanced array-operating functions which accept a reusable lambda as an argument along with an input array(s). 
  • XLOOKUP: Returns the values in the result range based on the position where a match was found in the lookup range. If no match is found, it returns the closest match. 
  • XMATCH: Returns the relative position of an item in an array or range that matches a specified value. XMATCH supports enhanced match and search functionality and allows wildcard matches with a question mark (?) or asterisk (*). 

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: 
    • In Sheets, navigate to Data > Named functions > Add new function > enter details > Next > Create. You can then enter your custom formula into a Sheets’ cell. 
    • Named functions created in a Sheets file are available only in that file. To use named functions in another Sheet, select that file via Data > Named functions > import function > pick the named functions you want to add. 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about Named functions. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 

  • Available to Google Workspace Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, and Education Plus customers 
  • Not available to Frontline, Nonprofits, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 

More control over accessibility preferences in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings

Quick summary

Over the years, we’ve launched features to support our ongoing accessibility efforts to ensure our products work well for everyone. For users of screen readers, braille devices, screen magnifiers, and more, we're improving the ability to adjust your accessibility preferences for Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings separately. 

Rather than having the same accessibility settings apply across these products, you’re now able to set preferences for each product individually. We expect this change to make it easier to ensure accessibility settings are personalized to best meet each user’s needs. 

Accessibility settings can now be personalized for Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: In your document, spreadsheet, slide deck, or drawing, navigate to Tools > Accessibility > select your preferred settings. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Accessibility. 

Rollout pace 

 Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Available to users with personal Google Accounts 

 Resources 

Roadmap 

Improved notifications when editing Microsoft Office files in Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Quick summary

Many of our customers utilize Office editing mode to collaborate on Microsoft Office files in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. 

Today, we’re announcing improvements to the notifications you see when editing a Microsoft Office-formatted file. 

Specific updates include: 

  • An Office-formatted warning symbol for compatibility details that will appear throughout your entire time within a document, spreadsheet, or slide deck. This indicates potential compatibility issues or if any Office features are unavailable.

Example of a document with compatibility issues


Example of a document without known compatibility issues 



  • An option to easily view and restore earlier versions of the document, spreadsheet, or slide deck. New options to view version history and restore a document 
New options to view version history and restore a document







Getting started 

  • Admins: Office editing notifications are ON by default and will always be present when a user opens a Microsoft Office-formatted document. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Office editing. 
  • End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about working with Office files using Office editing. 

Rollout pace 


Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Available to users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources 


Roadmap 

Improving the Google Workspace experience on large screen Android devices

Quick summary

As part of our mission to provide a top-class user experience on large screen devices, we’re adding several new features and functionality to products like Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Keep on Android devices. 

We hope these updates enhance flexibility by giving you more ways to work with, display and organize your content across Google Workspace. Specifically, the new abilities include:
  • Drag & Drop in Docs, Sheets & Drive: Easily drag text or images from other apps, such as Chrome, and drop content into an existing document or spreadsheet cell. For Drive, quickly upload files by dragging and dropping them into the app. You can also add links to Drive files by dragging the file into an open app like Keep. 
Dragging & Dropping from Sheets
Dragging & Dropping from Sheets into Docs and vice versa

Dragging & Dropping from Keep
Dragging & Dropping from Keep into Drive

Dragging & Dropping from Drive
Dragging & Dropping from Drive into Keep

  • Keyboard support for Drive, Docs & Slides: When using an attached keyboard, use simple and familiar shortcuts to quickly navigate around Drive, Docs, and Slides, without needing to slow down and take your hands off of your keyboard. 
  • Multi-instance support on Drive: Get better insight into your Drive files by having two Drive windows open side-by-side. 

Multi-instance support on Drive:

Getting started 

  • Admins: There is no admin control for these features. 
  • End users: 
    • Visit the Help Center to learn more about Dragging & Dropping in Drive and Keyboard shortcuts. 
    • To access Multi-instance support on Drive, select the 3-dot menu on any Drive file > choose the "Open in new window" option > navigate through each Drive window independently. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Google Drive. 

Rollout pace 

Keyboard support for Drive, Drag & Drop in Drive, and Multi-instance support on Drive: 
  • These features are available now
Keyboard support for Docs & Slides and Drag & Drop in Docs & Sheets: 

Availability 

  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, as well as legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers 
  • Available users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources