Google Workspace Changes

A single Google group can be a member of 30,000 shared drives

To protect the reliability of access changes for users in Google groups, Google has introduced a limit where a single group can now be added to no more than 30,000 shared drives, replacing the previous unlimited capacity.

In-line replies are now available within announcement spaces in Google Chat.

Google Chat has introduced an optional in-line reply feature for announcement spaces, allowing space managers to enable members to respond to or discuss announcements. For newly created announcement spaces, the feature is enabled by default for all members, while for existing spaces, it is enabled by default for space managers only. Space managers can toggle this setting via the space menu under permissions.

New option for teachers to disable submissions after an assignment is past the due date.

Following the recent announcement of grading periods in Google Classroom, we’re introducing another feature that enables teachers to customize grading in Classroom. The new option to disable submissions after a due date allows teachers to stop accepting submissions for an assignment past the due date.

Teachers can now disable submissions after a due date in Google Classroom.

Google Classroom is introducing a new feature that allows teachers to stop accepting submissions for an assignment once the due date has passed. Teachers can decide whether to require a strict due date or manually disable submissions at any point, providing greater control over assignment flexibility and grading workflows.

Admins can import sensitive, encrypted files from third-party storage using Client-side encryption and the Google Drive API, launching in beta.

For select Google Workspace editions, admins can import sensitive, encrypted files from third-party storage using Client-side encryption and the Google Drive API, preserving the confidentiality of your data. Eligible admins can apply for beta access using this form.

We’ve introduced the option to display line numbers within Docs that are set to paged mode.

In addition to previous updates that give you more control over formatting in Google Docs, such as viewing non-printing characters and enhancements to content organization, we’re introducing the option to display line numbers within Docs that are set to paged mode.

Import sensitive external files to Google Drive with client-side encryption using the Drive API (Beta)

Google is introducing a beta feature that allows admins of eligible Google Workspace editions to import sensitive, encrypted files from third-party storage into Google Drive using Client-side encryption (CSE) and the Drive API. This functionality enables admins to bulk import files on behalf of users while maintaining strict data confidentiality and meeting data sovereignty and compliance requirements.

Google Docs now allows users to display and configure line numbers in paged mode.

Google Docs has introduced the option to display line numbers for documents set to paged mode. These numbers are automatically calculated and can be configured for the entire document, a specific page, or a specific section, and are preserved when printing. This feature is designed to make it easier to reference specific content positions, especially when collaborating on long or complex documents.

Delegators need to review existing delegates, as well as add new delegates. This must be completed by July 31, 2023 or delegates will lose access to manage contacts.

Delegators need to review existing delegates, as well as add new delegates. This must be completed by July 31, 2023 or delegates will lose access to manage contacts.

Alt text option added to the Image options sidebar in Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings.

Google is improving the discoverability of the alternative text feature by adding the Alt text option directly to the Image options sidebar in Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings. Previously, users had to right-click an image and select 'Alt text' to input descriptions.

Delegators must re-approve contacts delegates by July 31, 2023.

As part of an update allowing delegated users to manage contact labels, delegators are required to review existing delegates and add new ones by July 31, 2023. If this is not completed, delegates will lose their access to manage contacts. Administrators can also manage these privileges using the Admin SDK API.

Programmatically read and write working locations for portions of the day via the Calendar API.

Google has introduced the ability for developers to programmatically read and write working locations for specific portions of the day using the Calendar API. This update expands on previous working location functionality and is available for eligible Google Workspace editions, including Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise, Education, and Nonprofits.

Introduction of membership search within Google Chat spaces.

Google Chat is introducing the ability to search for members within a space. This feature allows users to verify if a member is present, change their role if they are, or add them to the space if they are not.

Google Chat spaces now support up to 50,000 members.

Google is increasing the maximum number of users that can be added to a space in Google Chat from 8,000 to 50,000. This update is intended to better support company-wide announcements, event-oriented spaces, large internal communities, and support-related spaces.

Google Chat APIs for creating spaces, memberships, and managing messages are now generally available.

The Google Chat API is now generally available for all Google Workspace developers, providing the ability to programmatically create and manage spaces, memberships, group chats, messages, reactions, and attachments. These capabilities allow developers to build integrated workflows and pull contextual data directly into conversations, facilitating better collaboration and outreach within organizations.