Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - August 18, 2023

Get started with smart canvas in Google Sheets 

When opening a new spreadsheet or tab in Google Sheets, you will now see “Type @ to insert” to help you start using the smart canvas features available in Sheets. 

A new look for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps on Android devices 

We’re introducing a modernized visual design for the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides apps on Android devices. In the coming weeks, Android users will notice a refreshed look for things like the editing toolbar, icons, background colors, and more. 

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.

Programmatically read and write working locations with the Calendar API, now generally available 

Previously available in beta through our Developer Preview Program, the ability to read and write a user’s working location using the Calendar API is now generally available. | Available to Google Workspace Business Standard, Business Plus, Enterprise Standard, Enterprise Plus, Education Fundamentals, Education Plus, Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade and Nonprofits customers, as well as legacy G Suite Business customers only. | Learn more about Calendar API. 

Google Voice users can manage incoming calls across individuals and groups 

Admins can now designate specific Voice users as managers of a ring group, allowing them to make changes from voice.google.com instead of the Admin console. | Available to Google Voice Starter, Standard and Premier customers only. | Learn more about managing incoming calls. 

Resolve conflict accounts faster with the new Conflict Accounts Management tool 

We’re introducing an automated workflow to help reduce the manual effort needed to turn unmanaged accounts into managed accounts. Unmanaged accounts are users who independently created a Google account using one of your organization's domains. | Learn more about the new Conflict Accounts Management tool. 

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: 

• Paste HTML into document on iOS 
• Insert emojis into Google Sites 

Scheduled Release Domains: 

• Enhancing tool discovery in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides 
• Negotiate time directly in Gmail to schedule meetings faster 
• Paid appointment bookings now available in Google Calendar (end user setting) 
• Add hyperlinks to text in Google Chat 

Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains: 

• Import and convert sensitive Excel files into client-side encrypted Google Sheets 
• Updates for exporting your organization’s data 
• Introducing eSignature for Google Docs and Google Drive: launching to open beta for Workspace Individual subscribers, launching to beta for Google Workspace customers (Workspace Individual users) 
• Set Context Aware Access policies for 1P & 3P applications to access Workspace APIs 
• Reorganizing the file and folder menu in Google Drive

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What’s new in Google Workspace (recent releases).