What’s changing
We’re launching Smart Fill for Google Sheets, which detects and learns patterns between columns to intelligently autocomplete data entry.
For example, if you have a column of full names, you may want to split it into a column with first names and a column with last names. As you start typing first names into a column, Sheets will automatically look for patterns. If Sheets detects a pattern, it will generate the corresponding formula, and then autocomplete the rest of the column for you.
We previously announced that Smart Fill for Sheets was coming soon. See more details below.
Who’s impacted
End users
Why it’s important
We hope that Smart Fill will make it easier to prepare and use data in Sheets. Similar to how Smart Compose in Gmail helps you write faster with fewer mistakes, Smart Fill makes data entry quicker and less prone to error.
We also recently launched Sheets Smart Cleanup, which uses similar intelligence to help prepare and analyze data in Sheets. By adding new, intelligent features to help automate data preparation and analysis, we hope to empower all users to harness the power of data and quickly make data-backed decisions.
Additional details
In addition to using data that’s in a sheet, Smart Fill can also use data from Google’s Knowledge Graph. For example, it can use public data to autocomplete a list of countries where a list of cities are located.
For Enterprise Plus customers, it can also use information from your company’s people Directory to autocomplete data. For example, it can use organization-only data to fill in email addresses for company employees.
Getting started
- Admins: Smart Fill will be ON by default for users. There is no admin control for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn how to manage information in your company’s directory.
- End users: This feature will be ON by default. Visit the Help Center to learn how to use Smart Fill or turn it off for your account.
Rollout pace
- Rapid Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 15, 2020
- Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on November 5, 2020
Availability
- Smartfill is available to Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits customers, and users with personal Google Accounts
- Smartfill integration with people directory is only available to Enterprise Plus customers.
Resources
Roadmap
- This feature was listed as an upcoming release.
Quick launch summary
We’re enhancing the way you work with Google Workspace Add-ons in Gmail with the addition of Compose-time functions. Compose-time functions can help modify and format your messages in Gmail faster by:
- Adding recipients in the “To”, “CC”, and “BCC” fields.
- Inserting content into the subject line and body of the email.
- Inserting message templates for a consistent look and feel for your communications, and more.
Organizations can also create their own compose-time add-ons using Apps Script or alternative runtimes. Use the Google Workspace Developer Guide to learn more about building compose actions.
Getting started
- Admins: In the Admin Console, you can specify which applications your users can install from the Google Workspace Marketplace. You can also install chosen Google Workspace Add-ons for your entire domain via the listing in the Google Workspace Marketplace.
- End users: If allowed by your admin, you’ll be able to install Google Workspace Add-ons using the “+” button in the Google Workspace quick access side panel. The add-ons you install will appear in the side panel across Google Workplace apps.
Rollout pace
- Compose time add-ons are available now in the Google Workspace Marketplace.
Availability
- Available to all Google Workspace customers (when enabled by admins) and users with personal accounts.
Resources
In an effort to make the migration process as easy as possible, we just announced that we’re extending the timeline Google Workspace and G Suite for Education customers have to migrate from classic Hangouts to Google Chat.
In June, we introduced the Chat preferred setting in the Admin console to allow any admin to opt in to migrate all end users to Chat. We also made Chat preferred configurable at the organizational unit level.
In 2021, we will start migrating all remaining customers with “Chat and classic Hangouts” and “classic Hangouts only” settings selected to Chat. Here’s what you can expect:
- Opt-out upgrade (no earlier than Q2 2021): All customers will be migrated to Chat Preferred unless their admins explicitly opt out. Customers who only have enabled Chat, with classic Hangouts completely disabled, will not be impacted.
- Mandatory upgrade (late 2021): All remaining customers will be migrated to Chat Preferred, and we will fully replace classic Hangouts with Chat. There will be no option to opt out at this stage.
We will provide advance notice (4 weeks minimum) on the Google Workspace Updates blog before each phase begins. Stay tuned for more information.
Getting started
- Admins: No action is needed at this time. Check out the Help Center for more information on transitioning your users to Chat.
- End users: There is no end-user action for these changes.
Resources
Quick launch summary
We’re adding a Count API to the Vault API. The Count API enables you to see the number of messages, files, or other data items that match a search query.
You can use the number of items to estimate the size of the export, and then choose to proceed with the export or adjust the query to retrieve fewer items. This can help ensure a successful export by reducing the likelihood of export errors due to size.
Getting started
- Admins: Visit the API documentation to learn more about the Count API and review an example.
- End users: No end user impact.
Rollout pace
- Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 15, 2020
Availability
- Available to Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Enterprise for Education, as well as other customers with the Vault add-on license
- Not available to Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Education, and Nonprofits customers
Resources
Roadmap
- This feature was listed as an upcoming release.
Quick launch summary
We’re updating the default way videos play when you present in Google Slides. Now, the video will start playing when you click to advance the presentation. Previously, the presenter had to specifically click on the video to start playing.
With this launch, there are now three options to control playback:
- Play (on click) – Video will play when you advance the slide. (This is the new default option.)
- Play (automatically) – Video will play without you clicking to advance.
- Play (manual) – Video will play when you click specifically on the embedded video in the slide while presenting. (This was previously the default.)
The new play on click option works the same way as any other animation or slide transition. When you’re presenting a slide with an embedded video, advance the slide by pressing a key, clicking a mouse, or using a remote clicker, and the video will start playing. You can adjust the sequence the video plays in the animations sidebar, so you can coordinate playback with other animations on the slide.
Note that this change in default behavior will only apply to videos inserted after the launch takes place. Videos already in presentations will not change playback type automatically, but you can change them manually in the format options.
The new default will help make presentations flow better and reduce distractions, so presenters can focus on content rather than where they have to click.
Getting started
- Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
- End users: This feature will be ON by default and can be turned off for any video in video format options. Visit the Help Center to learn more about videos in Slides.
Rollout pace
- Rapid Release domains: Gradual rollout (Up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on October 14, 2020
- Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1-3 days for feature visibility) starting on November 4, 2020
Availability
- Available to Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits customers and users with personal accounts
Resources
What’s changing
Last year, we announced that a new Android management client, Android Device Policy, would replace the legacy Google Apps Device Policy client. We’re now discontinuing the legacy client.
To ensure that devices enrolled by users with advanced management will continue to sync and have access to data, users in your organization must switch to Android Device Policy before October 26, 2021. If users still have Google Device Policy on this date, they won’t be able to sync their devices or access data.
To switch to Android Device Policy, users must have an Android 6.0 Marshmallow or later device that supports a work profile. For users with devices that don’t meet these requirements, consider switching to basic mobile device management.
Devices enrolled by users with basic management must move to Android 6.0 Marshmallow or later before October 26, 2021 to continue enforcing a screen lock. If a user’s device can’t be upgraded to Android 6.0 or later, their device will continue to sync and retain access to data, however it will not be able to enforce a screen lock.
Who’s impacted
Admins and end users
Why it’s important
The latest Android devices and operating system (OS) versions provide improved security features. Moving to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or newer can help ensure all devices are protected by the latest security features, and can take advantage of improvements in the Android enterprise experience.
Getting started
- Admins: Admins can find devices which may need to take action in the Admin console. Visit our Help Center to learn more about the differences between Android Device Policy and Google Apps Device Policy. Different devices may need to take different steps to upgrade:
- Advanced management devices:
- Find advanced management devices by going to Admin console > Mobile devices and filtering for Type: Android and Management level: Advanced.
- Determine which of these devices are currently managed by the Google Apps Device Policy app and support the Android Device Policy app (i.e. devices with Android 6+ and support for a work profile)
- Send these instructions to your users to help them migrate to Android Device Policy.
- Find basic management devices by going to Admin console > Mobile devices and filtering for Type: Android and Management level: Basic.
- Instruct users of these devices to upgrade the Android OS to version 6.0 Marshmallow or later.
Rollout pace
- Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: All devices must complete the upgrade by October 26, 2021. Android Device Policy is available now for all users.
Availability
- Available to Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits customers
- Not available to G Suite Essentials
Resources
Quick launch summary
We’re giving you more control over how your end users choose between available conferencing providers when creating Calendar events by introducing a new Admin console setting to “Make Google Meet the default video conferencing provider.”
Starting November 16, all users in organization units (OUs) with Meet set as the default provider and both with Meet and at least one other 3rd party video conferencing add-on enabled will see a sectioned button to add video conferencing when creating events. The’ll have:
- The option to add Meet video conference with a single click
- The option to add third party video conferencing via the separate dropdown
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| New conferencing UI for users creating events in Calendar |
As an administrator you can install add-ons for all users with domain-wide installs via the Google Workspace marketplace or allow users to install add-ons themselves.
Getting started
Admins: This feature will be ON by default and can be disabled at the OU level. Since this feature will not roll out to end users until November 16, admins can use those 30 days to modify their settings as necessary before they take effect.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about controlling video conferencing for Calendar events in your organization. Note, this setting only affects the experience for users with both Google Meet and conferencing add-ons installed.
 |
| Video conferencing setting in the Admin console |
You will still have the ability to make an Add-on your default video conferencing provider.
If you prefer your users to only use an Add-On provider:
- Turn off Meet for everyone via Admin console > Apps> G Suite > Google Meet
- Make a domain-wide install of your chosen add-on via the Google Workspace Marketplace
- (optional) To automatically add an add-on as the default for video conferencing: Turn on Automatically add video conferences to events in Apps > G Suite > Calendar > Sharing Settings > Video conferencing
End users: There is no end user setting for this feature. Visit the Help Center to learn more about adding or removing a video conference from your Calendar event.
Rollout pace
Admin setting
- Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on October 13, 2020
End user changes
- Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on November 16, 2020
Availability
- Available to Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits customers
Resources
Quick launch summary
In May 2020, we launched new Google Groups to provide a modern experience that matches Gmail and other Google services. In September, we made new Groups the default experience for all users, but allowed individual users to choose to use the classic Groups interface.
Starting on November 2, 2020 for Rapid Release domains and on November 9, 2020 for Scheduled Release domains, classic Groups will be turned off completely. After that date, there will be no option to use the old version (previously at Settings > Return to classic Google Groups). Users within your organization who were already using new Groups will not notice a change, but users who had chosen to use old Groups will be moved to the new interface.
Getting started
- Admins: New groups will be the only experience available to all users. To prepare for this change, you can visit our Help Center to learn more about the new Groups release, and note the features from old Groups that will no longer be supported in new Groups.
- End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about new Groups.
Rollout pace
- Rapid Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on November 2, 2020
- Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on November 9, 2020
Availability
- Applicable to Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits, and users with personal accounts.
Resources
Quick launch summary
We’re updating the user interface (UI) of the Google Meet Android mobile apps. The new mobile UI will have the same look and feel as that of the meeting experience in the Gmail app and was previously rolled out to the Meet app on iOS.
Check out the original announcement for more details on these changes.
Rollout pace
- Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: This feature is fully available on Android now.
Availability
- Available to Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education, Enterprise for Education, and Nonprofits customers as well as users with personal Google Accounts
Resources
What’s changing
Organizers of Enterprise for Education meetings can now use breakout rooms to divide participants into smaller groups during video calls in Meet. Participants can then easily rejoin the original meeting following their smaller group discussion.
This feature will be launching to additional Google Workspace editions later this year.
 |
| Use breakout rooms in Meet |
Who’s impacted
End users
Why you’d use it
With this highly-requested feature, educators can offer increased engagement in their classes by splitting students up for simultaneous small group discussions or working time. Moderators can also jump between breakout rooms to monitor and participate in discussions.
Additional details
You can create up to 100 breakout rooms in a call. Call participants will then be randomly and equally distributed across the rooms. You can also manually move people into different rooms. Check out the Help Center for more details.
While only event creators can create breakout rooms, anyone with a Google account that is joining from the web or through the Meet app can be a participant.
Breakout rooms must be created during a video call on a computer.
Getting started
- Admins: There is no admin control for this feature.
- End users: This feature will be available by default. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using breakout rooms in Meet.
Rollout pace
- Rapid and Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1–3 days for feature visibility) starting on October 8, 2020
Availability
- Available to Enterprise for Education customers
- Not available to Essentials, Business Starter, Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education, and Nonprofits customers. Stay tuned to the Google Workspace Updates blog for information when this launches to additional customers.
Resources
Roadmap
- This feature was listed as an upcoming release.
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