Google Workspace Changes

Suspension of the turn-off for less secure app (LSA) access to G Suite accounts.

Google has suspended the scheduled turn-off of less secure app (LSA) access to G Suite accounts, which was originally planned for June 15, 2020. This suspension is intended to minimize disruptions for organizations managing remote workforces during the COVID-19 pandemic. Google recommends that administrators migrate to OAuth authentication and assures that a 12-month window will be provided once the turn-off timeline is restarted.

Less secure app turn-off suspended until further notice

Suspending the less secure app (LSA) turn-off until further notice. All previously announced timeframes no longer apply.

Create pointers to any file or folder in Google Drive with shortcuts

Shortcuts in Drive make it easier to organize content and point users to relevant information and files across various drives.

Google Drive is transitioning to a single-location file model.

Starting September 30, 2020, it will no longer be possible to place a file in multiple folders in My Drive. All files already living in multiple locations will be gradually migrated to shortcuts to ensure every file resides in a single location.

Create pointers to any file or folder in Google Drive with shortcuts

Shortcuts in Drive make it easier to organize content and point users to relevant information and files across various drives.

Participants cannot re-join nicknamed meetings after the final participant has left.

To enhance teacher control, participants will no longer be able to re-join a meeting once the final participant has left if the meeting was created using a short link (e.g., g.co/meet/nickname), via the 'Join or start a meeting' field at meet.google.com, or via the Meet app using a nickname. This prevents students from joining a meeting without a teacher present.

Only meeting creators and calendar owners can mute or remove other participants in Education meetings.

For G Suite for Education and G Suite Enterprise for Education customers, Google Meet is updating permissions so that only the meeting creator, Calendar event owner, or the person who creates a meeting on an in-room hardware device can mute or remove other participants. This ensures that teachers cannot be removed or muted by students during a session.

Hangouts Meet improvements for remote learning

Making several improvements to improve the remote learning experience for teachers and students using Hangouts Meet. Only meeting creators and calendar owners can mute or remove other participants in a meeting. Meeting participants will not be able to re-join nicknamed meetings once the final participant has left

Set custom table ranges for charts in Google Sheets

Google Sheets is improving the way data is suggested and selected when creating charts. Users can now specifically select which columns to use for the chart axis and series, rather than having all data ranges on a table automatically used. This allows for quicker customization of charts to display the most relevant data when working with datasets containing slicers, pivot tables, and other elements.

Set custom table ranges for charts in Google Sheets

Improving the way data is suggested and how data is selected when creating a chart in Google Sheets. Allowing to select which columns to use for the chart axis and series

Sort and filter cells by text or fill color in Google Sheets

Added two additional parameters to filter and sort cells by in Google Sheets: Text color and Fill (background) color.

Google launches a beta for a new, modern Google Groups interface.

Google is introducing a new user interface for Google Groups that features a modern look and streamlined controls consistent with other G Suite tools. Organizations can apply for beta access to test the new UI and prepare for migration. While some features like collaborative inboxes, tags, and categories are not available in the beta, users have the option to revert to the classic Groups interface at any time. The rollout will move from beta to general availability and eventually to a mandatory transition for all users later in the year.

Experience the new Google Groups, launching in beta

Replacing the current Google Groups interface with a new experience in beta. The new Groups experience features a modern, fresh look and controls that are streamlined, intuitive, and consistent with other G Suite tools like Gmail.

Fix images to a certain location on a page in Google Docs

In Google Docs, you can now position an image in a fixed place, ensuring it stays in a certain spot on the page and is not disrupted by text and other elements.

Improved image positioning and formatting options in Google Docs.

Google Docs now allows users to fix images to a specific location on a page, ensuring they remain in place regardless of text or other element changes. Additionally, a new image options sidebar has been introduced, providing quick access to formatting settings such as size, rotation, brightness, and contrast.