Set up dropdown chips more easily in Google Sheets

What’s changing

In 2022, we announced the ability to create dropdown chips in Google Sheets. This custom formatting smart canvas feature enables you to easily indicate statuses or various project milestones within your spreadsheet. 
Today, we’re building upon this by introducing preset dropdowns. Instead of manually creating values for your dropdowns, you can insert preset dropdown chips that are configured for common use cases like priority or review statuses. After inserting a preset dropdown, you can use the data validation sidebar to easily adjust the options or add styles. 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users: You can insert a dropdown chip by typing “@” followed by “dropdown”. Visit the Help Center to learn more about inserting smart chips in your Google Sheets. 

Rollout pace 

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 5, 2024 Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 19, 2024 

Availability 

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google account 

Resources

Google Meet co-host support added for client-side encrypted meetings

What’s changing

Client-side encrypted meetings are now getting support for using the co-hosts feature. This means that an organizer can plan and book client-side encrypted video meetings on behalf of other users and assign those as co-hosts to allow them to join and open the meetings independently from the organizer. Client-side encrypted meetings differ from point-to-point encrypted meetings in the way they always require a host to join first. This task can now be delegated and shared between multiple users without the organizer ever joining the call.

Getting started

Admins: Visit our Help Center for more information about client-side encryption.End users: Visit our Help Center for more information adding co-hosts in Google Meet.

Rollout pace

Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) beginning on March 6, 2023 with anticipated completion by March 13, 2024.
Note: This feature is only available on the web as planning meetings with co-hosts can only be done on a computer.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard customers

Resources

User enrollment for managed iOS devices is now generally available

What’s changing 

In late 2023, we introduced user enrollment in beta, an additional option for iOS mobile management. User enrollment separates work and personal data on iOS devices, giving admins control over Workspace data on the device while users retain privacy over their personal data. Beginning today, user enrollment is now generally available. For more information, use our Help Center or reference our original announcement.

Getting started

Admins: Use our Help Center to learn more about separating work and personal data on iOS devices,

End users: The user enrollment process starts when a user signs-in to an app for the first time or re-signs into an app. They’ll be prompted to begin downloading the configuration profile, which will open in an internet browser with more instructions and information. Once the profile has been downloaded, the user will be directed to their devices settings to complete user enrollment.

Visit our Help Center for more information about how to install the Google Device Policy app and a configuration profile on your device, how your iOS device is managed and getting approved work apps on your iOS device.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 7, 2024 with anticipated completion by the end of the month.

Availability

Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Frontline Standard, Frontline Starter, Business Plus, Cloud Identity Premium, Education Standard, Education Plus and Nonprofits customers.

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – March 8, 2024

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.

Hovercards for group messages and spaces are now available in Google Chat 

When hovering over a space or group chat within the left navigation in Google Chat, you will now see a hovercard that displays an abridged list of members and their avatars. This is especially useful when you need to distinguish one chat from another. In addition, you can include space hovercards across Chat apps using the shared hovercard library. | Available now to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. 

New Google Calendar lock screen widgets on iOS mobile devices 
We’re excited to announce the launch of Google Calendar lock screen widgets on iOS mobile devices (iOS16+) and iPads (iOS17). These will surface an upcoming event or task, giving you a quick glance right from your lock screen. 
| Available now to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more about how to add widgets to your Lock Screen. 
Remove the background from your images in Google Slides 
You can now easily remove the background from images added to your Google Slides presentations. To do so, simply select an image on your slide > right-click and select “Remove background” or select the “Remove background” button in the toolbar. | Available now to Gemini Enterprise and Gemini Business add-ons, and to users on personal accounts through Google One AI Premium. | Learn more about removing an image background.

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.


Smooth scrolling in Google Sheets now available on desktop 
With smooth scrolling, you can scroll to a specific part of a row or column and stop wherever you’d like within the spreadsheet. | Learn more about scrolling in Sheets. 
New enhancements in the Space Management Tool For admins: add multiple members or groups, review settings and details 
We’re introducing several updates for the Space Management Tool in the Admin console, including an improved user interface and additional management capabilities. | Learn more about Space Management Tool For admins. 
Migrate email data from one Google Workspace account to another, available in open beta 
Beginning today, a new data migration experience is available: you can migrate your users’ email data from one Google Workspace account to another in a more reliable and efficient manner. You can configure your data migration for up to 100 users at a time and also run delta migrations, which smartly brings over any newly generated data from the source without duplicating previously migrated content. | Available to Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, and Business Plus; Enterprise Standard and Enterprise Plus; Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, and Education Plus; Essentials Starter, Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus, and Nonprofits customers only. | Learn more about migrating email data. 
Set up dropdown chips more easily in Google Sheets 
Instead of manually creating values for your dropdown chips, you can now insert preset dropdown chips that are configured for common use cases like priority or review statuses. | Learn more about preset dropdown chips. 
Google Meet co-host support added for client-side encrypted meetings 
Client-side encrypted meetings are now getting support for using the co-hosts feature. This means that an organizer can plan and book client-side encrypted video meetings on behalf of other users and assign those as co-hosts to allow them to join and open the meetings independently from the organizer. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard customers only. | Learn more about client-side encrypted meetings. 
User enrollment for managed iOS devices is now generally available 
In late 2023, we introduced user enrollment in beta, an additional option for iOS mobile management. User enrollment separates work and personal data on iOS devices, giving admins control over Workspace data on the device while users retain privacy over their personal data. Beginning today, user enrollment is now generally available. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Frontline Standard, Frontline Starter, Business Plus, Cloud Identity Premium, Education Standard, Education Plus and Nonprofits customers only. | Learn more about user enrollment.

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).  

 

Application load failures are now captured for the Google Meet hardware devices

What’s changing

In November 2023, we announced a series of improvements for managing Google Meet hardware devices, which included surfacing additional information about device issues, such as a description of the issue, when the issue was detected, and more. Today, we’re adding an additional data point: admins can now see when the Google Meet app fails to load for a device.

“Application load failures” will now be displayed in the “Device status” column.

When you click on the alert, you’ll see more detailed information on the error.


Getting started

Admins: To filter for devices that are in the “Application load failure” state specifically, navigate to Admin Console > Google Meet hardware > Devices > Filter by ‘Device Status’ and select ‘Application load failure’.Visit the Help Center to learn more about understanding device usage in your organization.End users: There is no end user impact or action required.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 18, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers with Google Meet hardware devices

Resources

Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap – March 1, 2024

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.

Playback improvements to videos uploaded on Google Drive 

We’re enabling the generation and playback of Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) video transcodes for all new videos uploaded to Google Drive. DASH transcodes provide adaptive bitrate playback, which allows users to receive higher or lower resolution playback based on aspects like their local network quality. As a result of this change, you’ll also notice: 
Improvements in join time (the time it takes from clicking play to actually starting playback) A reduction in re-buffering, both in normal playback as well as during playback at higher speeds While this feature applies to all new videos uploaded to Drive, existing videos in Drive will be updated by the end of the year. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains and Scheduled Release domains now. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. 
Enhancing search within the Google Drive app 
We’re improving Google Drive’s search experience on iOS devices (with Android coming soon) by: 
Simplifying how you access query filters by introducing filter categories that are accessible directly below the search bar and include filters for File Type, Owners and Last modified. Showing you relevant query filters as you type your query, enabling you to easily select a filter and saving you the time and effort of typing out the full search. Adding the option to further refine your search after reaching the search results page. 
These updates are available now to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts using iOS devices. | We will provide an update when this is available on Android devices. | Learn more about finding files in Google Drive

Further extending long running queries within Connected Sheets 
Last year, we extended the timeout time from 5 minutes to 10 minutes for BigQuery and Looker. Now, the timeout time has increased to 20-30 minutes, and starting this week Connected Sheet users can view the status of a query and easily cancel it on Google Sheets. In addition to the ability to analyze data from queries that scan even larger data sets in Sheets, we hope these increased user controls give you even more oversight, especially in cases where queries might be taking a while to complete. | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains and Scheduled Release domains now. | Available to Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Learn more about Connected Sheets for Looker and Analyze & refresh BigQuery data in Google Sheets using Connected Sheets.

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.


Now generally available: Import and convert sensitive Excel files into client-side encrypted Google Sheets 

You can now import and convert sensitive Excel files into Google Sheets with client-side encryption. | Available to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard customers only. | Learn more about working with encrypted files in Sheets. 
Easily identify which unread threads are most relevant to you in Google Chat 
With multiple threads across numerous spaces, we know it can be difficult to identify which unread threads are most relevant to you. In order to provide you with more context upfront, you will now see participant avatars for unread threads in the conversation view. Without having to click to open the thread side panel, it will now be much easier to decide which threads to read and reply to. | Learn more about participant avatars for unread threads in Chat. 
Available in open beta: the Groups Admin role can now be provisioned for specific group types 
The Groups Admin role can now be assigned for security groups or non-security groups. Previously, those with the Groups Admin role had access to all groups within an organization. This change gives administrators more granular delegation of group admin responsibilities, helping limit access to the most sensitive groups to only those who absolutely need it. | Learn more about the beta for the Groups Admin role. 
New ways to annotate Google Docs 
We’re excited to announce a new feature, markups in Google Docs, which gives you more flexibility when providing feedback in a document. The new markups experience lets you add handwritten annotations to documents with a stylus or your finger when using an Android device. | Learn more about markups in Docs. 
Conduct direct 1:1 calls with people outside your video calling network on Google Meet mobile 
Earlier this year, we introduced cloud-encrypted 1:1 video calls between users in the same domain using the Meet mobile app. In the coming weeks, users from outside of your domain will be able to initiate 1:1 video calls with your users and vice versa. Admins will be able to pre-configure this functionality as on or off for their users with a new admin control. | Learn more about 1:1 calling using Google Meet mobile. 
Easily manage and secure your school’s accounts and mobile devices centrally in Google Admin console with the Endpoint Education Upgrade 
This year, we announced Endpoint Education Upgrade, which adds enterprise endpoint management features to your Google Workspace for Education edition. Using endpoint management, admins can better manage and secure the phones and tablets used across their school directly from the Admin console. | Available to Education Standard and Education Plus only. | Learn more about the Endpoint Education Upgrade. 
Set client-side encryption as the default mode for new emails, events, and files on mobile 
Admins can now set client-side encryption (CSE) to be on by default on Android and iOS for:
newly drafted Gmail messages and replies, newly created Google Calendar events, and newly uploaded Google Drive files. | Available to Workspace Enterprise Plus customers only. | Learn more about client-side encryption default mode.

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).  

Set client-side encryption as the default mode for new emails, events, and files on mobile

What’s changing 

Admins can now set client-side encryption (CSE) to be on by default on Android and iOS for: 
Newly drafted Gmail messages and replies Newly created Google Calendar events Newly uploaded Google Drive files
Client-side encryption in Gmail
Admins can now set client-side encryption as the default mode for users on both web and mobile that regularly handle sensitive data. This allows organizations the flexibility to meet their compliance and regulatory requirements and reduce the burden on change management programs. Each new email, event and uploaded file on mobile is automatically client-side encrypted with customer managed keys meaning the user is compliant with their org’s policy from the outset. For organizations with strict regulatory or sovereignty requirements, this can help them close compliance gaps by defaulting users to the preferred mode for handling sensitive data while on the go. 
For more information, check out our original announcement.

Getting started

Admins: This feature will be OFF by default and can be configured at an OU level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about client-side encryption.End users: Use our Help Center to learn more about working with encrypted files in Drive, Docs, Sheets & Slides.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 29, 2024

Availability

Google Workspace Assured Controls is available as an add-on to Google Workspace Enterprise Plus customers only. For more information, contact your Google account representative.

Resources

Easily manage and secure your school’s accounts and mobile devices centrally in Google Admin console with the Endpoint Education Upgrade

What’s changing

This year, we announced Endpoint Education Upgrade, which adds enterprise endpoint management features to your Google Workspace for Education edition. Using endpoint management, admins can better manage and secure the phones and tablets used across their school directly from the Admin console.

Note that advanced endpoint management features are already included with Google Workspace for Education Standard and Plus.

Who’s impacted

Admins

Why you’d use it

Using the Endpoint Education Upgrade, admins can configure a wide range of account and device management features, helping to make your organization’s data more secure across your users’ mobile devices, desktops, laptops, and other endpoints. For example, you can:
Control what Android & iOS app can be installed on a device, who can log into it (for domain owned devices), and where it can access your data.Protect devices from loss or theft with admin rules for alerts, location tracking, access restrictions, and remote data wipes.Manage company-owned devices or set up Android work profiles, so users can safely access your school account on the go.Require stronger device passwords and more.Visit the Help Center for a complete list of endpoint management features.

Getting started

Admins: Visit our Help Center to learn more about the Endpoint Education Upgrade.

Rollout pace

The Endpoint Education Upgrade will be available for purchase through your current Google Workspace for Education reseller and select channel partners on February 29, 2024. If you do not currently have a Google Workspace for Education reseller, you can find one here.

Availability

Endpoint Education Upgrade is available by user based license or device based license (coming soon) — it is not a domain wide license. You can purchase Endpoint Education Upgrade licenses through your current Google Workspace for Education reseller and select channel partners. 

If you have Education Fundamentals and wish to upgrade instead of purchasing individual Endpoint Education Upgrade licenses, you can easily upgrade to Education Standard or Education Plus.

Resources

Conduct direct 1:1 calls with people outside your video calling network on Google Meet mobile

What’s changing

Earlier this year, we introduced cloud-encrypted 1:1 video calls between users in the same domain using the Meet mobile app. In the coming weeks, users from outside of your domain will be able to initiate 1:1 video calls with your users and vice versa. Admins will be able to pre-configure this functionality as on or off for their users with a new admin control. The timeline for this update is as follows:

Admin control for restricting external calls placed directly to a user via their email: Admins will begin seeing the new control beginning today. Note that this admin setting does not apply to external calls placed to a users’ legacy account. Visit the Help Center to learn more about how to restrict legacy calls.

End user availability: The external calling feature will begin rolling out to end users beginning in April.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why it matters

1:1 cloud-encrypted video calling in the Meet mobile app makes it easier to connect with others by significantly reducing the need to create meeting links ahead of time. We’re expanding these 1:1 cloud-encrypted calls to allow users outside of your domain to initiate 1:1 calls, making it easier to connect with your external partners and stakeholders. However, to ensure external contact is appropriate, admins can turn this functionality on or off for their users.

Getting started

Admins: Creating meetings and calling is ON by default in Meet but can always be turned OFF. Note: 1:1 calling was launched earlier this year and you may have already turned this off. 
By default, users can receive calls only from contacts and other users in the organization. You can use the new admin switch to enable calls from outside your domain at the OU level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about restricting who can call users in your organization with Google Meet.Note: This setting affects only Google Meet calling, not legacy services (formerly known as Duo) or calling in Google Chat. This also does not affect the ability to join meetings. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning Meet legacy calling on or off for your users. Note that If you have legacy calling enabled for your users, they will have access to features previously found in Duo (group calls, messages, moments, family mode, etc.) if they have not upgraded to the new Meet app. 

End users: 

Meet calls do not include legacy calling features previously found in Duo (group calls, messages, moments, family mode, knock knock) but those continue to be available if your admin has legacy calling turned on and if the person you’re interacting with is using a personal Google account.

Visit the Help Center to learn how to make Meet Calls with Google Meet and to learn about the new Google Meet app

Rollout pace

Admin controlRapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on February 27, 2024

End user availabilityRapid and Scheduled Release: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on April 8, 2024

Availability

Available to all Google Workspace customers

New ways to annotate Google Docs

What’s changing

We’re excited to announce a new feature, markups in Google Docs, which gives you more flexibility when providing feedback in a document. The new markups experience lets you add handwritten annotations to documents with a stylus or your finger when using an Android device. 
Markups can be useful in numerous scenarios, such as: 
Colleagues giving each other handwritten feedback on diagrams, charts, reports or proposals. Educators giving students feedback on their essays, reports, short stories and more. A homeowner providing ideas or updates on construction plans from their contractor. In order to add annotations, you must use an Android device. From there, you can: 
Enter the markups mode and annotate using pen or highlighter tools Hide/show markups Erase markups Insert suggested markups 

On iOS devices, you can: 

View a document with markups Delete markups Hide/show markups 

On desktop, you can: 

View a document with markups Delete markups Hide/show markups 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users: To turn on markups, open a document > select the markups tool from the contextual toolbar > draw with your finger or stylus. 

Rollout pace 

Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on February 27, 2024 Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on March 11, 2024 

Availability 

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