Google Workspace Changes

ChromeOS users can now manage offline access for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides via the Files app.

ChromeOS users can now use the native Files app on their Chromebooks to select Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files to be available offline. This update streamlines the process by eliminating the requirement to open the Google Drive or Google Docs web interfaces to manage offline file availability.

Easily make all files types available offline in Google Drive

Today, we are announcing more ways to make sure you can make them all accessible to you even when your internet connection is unavailable.

Shared links to Microsoft Office files in Drive now open directly in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.

When creating links to shared Microsoft Office files stored in Google Drive, the files will now open directly in the corresponding Google editor (Docs, Sheets, or Slides) instead of opening in a preview mode first. This streamlines the editing and collaboration process. Additionally, this update modifies the alternateLink and webViewLink fields for shared links within the Google Drive API.

Backup and Sync users should begin transitioning to Drive for desktop

Now, we want to provide a more detailed timeline for this transition

Enhanced content classification and DLP with Drive labels beta.

Drive labels enable admins to configure custom labels for a domain, and then enable users to apply these labels to files in Drive. Automated classification can help organizations automatically add Drive labels to content based on administrator-defined rules and predefined content detectors.

Restrict Google Drive for desktop to company owned devices, now generally available

You can now restrict the use of Google Drive for desktop to company owned devices. This functionality was previously available in beta.

Updates on how to sync Google Drive content to your computer

In the coming months, we’ll make some changes to the solutions we offer to access Google Drive files and keep them in sync on your desktop.

Introducing data protection insights reports.

These new reports will help you understand what sensitive information is stored in your organization, and can help you make more informed decisions to protect it. For customers new to DLP, a report can help you identify the types of sensitive content, such as credit card numbers and tax IDs, that you might want to prioritize establishing DLP policies for.

Folder sharing in shared drives now generally available

With this launch, you can share a specific folder with other users, or upgrade member access to provide users with additional permissions on specific folders within shared drives.

Google Drive introduces a beta program to allow sharing of specific folders within shared drives.

Google is launching a beta program that enables managers of shared drives to share specific folders with other users or upgrade member access to provide additional permissions on specific folders. This allows for more granular collaboration, such as sharing a specific project folder with an external agency while keeping the rest of the shared drive internal. Access levels for folders can only be expanded, not reduced, from the shared drive level. Additionally, starting September 1, 2020, moving folders into or between shared drives will require manager permissions on both the original and target locations.

New sharing dialog for Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms.

Google is updating the sharing interface for Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms on the web to make it easier to share files with specific people and manage access. The new dialog features a task-focused interface that separates sharing with people and groups from link-sharing, adds a quick 'copy link' button, and provides a clearer view of current file access to help users audit permissions more efficiently.

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.

New admin controls for third-party app backups in Google Drive

Admins can now choose whether their Android users can back up data from third-party apps, such as WhatsApp, to their G Suite accounts.