U-M Google Updates

U-M Google January Summary

The monthly U-M Google Summaries inform campus of Google releases for Core Apps as well as the Non-Core Apps (those that are not part of the G Suite for Education agreement). We communicate important information on Core Apps throughout the month. Core and Non-Core Apps are listed on the G Suite website.

Core Apps

  • Assign unique colors to chart elements in Google Sheets
    Google added the ability in Sheets to give a design element (such as a bar on a bar graph or a point or line on a line graph) a unique color, instead of all similar elements being the same color. This works for bar charts, column charts, line charts, scatter charts and for certain series in combination charts.
  • Embed Google Drawings in Google Docs
    Starting January 7, Google began rolling out the ability to embed Google Drawings in a Google Doc instead of having to create drawings manually in the document. When you embed a drawing, the drawing is placed in the document but linked to the original in Google Drawings. By using the “Update” button located in the upper right-hand corner of the embedded drawing, you can update the content with one click if changes are made to the source file. You can also choose to unlink drawings at any point.
  • Embed Google+ search streams in new Google Sites
    You can now embed a stream of posts from a Google+ search in the new Google Sites. This search could contain simple keywords or advanced search operators. This builds on Google’s previous launch of the ability to embed community pages, profiles, and other Google+ streams in new Sites.
  • Get your whole team jamming with Jamboard web improvements
    Google has added several new features to Jamboard which will make it easier to create and collaborate on jams on the web. They are enhancing Google Chrome’s web-based Jamboard experience with several useful features including:
    • Support for familiar keyboard shortcuts: Use Ctrl/CMD+c to copy, CTRL+V to paste, and CTRL+D to duplicate Jam objects when editing on the web.
    • Create, delete, and duplicate frames on the web: Easily manage frames (the equivalent of pages in jams) on the web.
    • Easier switch between creation modes: Quickly switch between the drawing and selection modes. Hold down Ctrl/CMD to switch to the select mode, and release to switch back to drawing mode.
    • Better image management: Add images to jams by drag and drop, copy and paste, or through a simple image upload dialog.
  • More language options available for the 2019 Calendar Template in Sheets
    Google has expanded language options for creating a 2019 Calendar Template in Sheets. A few of the languages include Chinese, Danish, Dutch, and more.
  • New Gmail compose formatting and download options
    Google is adding three new features to Gmail:
    • Shortcut to undo/redo in the compose window
    • Shortcut to strikethrough text
    • Ability to download messages as .EML files in rfc822 format from Gmail on the web

Previously Communicated

Note: Keep in mind that even when Non-Core Apps are found in a Core App (like Add-ons in Gmail and Google Drive), they are not covered by the G Suite for Education agreement.

Interested in our latest updates about Google G Suite at U-M? Check out the Google Service Updates page.

Material Design for Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Sites on Web

Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Sites will be getting a new look and feel on the web. According to Google, while there are no functionality changes, you will begin to notice some visual improvements starting February 11. Some of these changes include:

  • Interface typography that uses Google’s custom, legible typefaces
  • Controls (like buttons, dialogs, and sidebars) that are updated and more consistent with other Google products
  • Iconography that is legible and easy-to-read

The four products in this update join other G Suite products like Gmail and Calendar in sharing a common design and look.

Interested in our latest updates about Google G Suite at U-M? Check out the Google Service Updates page.

Inbox by Gmail Ending

Inbox by Gmail (a separate email interface) has been a place that Google used to experiment with new ideas like snoozing emails to later, as well as try the latest AI-powered experiences like Smart Reply, Nudges and high-priority notifications.

Four years after launching Inbox by Gmail in 2014, Google has taken several popular Inbox experiences and added them into Gmail. Google is  now planning to focus solely on Gmail and will discontinue Inbox by Gmail at the end of March 2019.

Google introduced the new Gmail in April, incorporating many of the same features found in Inbox plus newer features like Smart Compose. Read more about these features.

Many on campus fell in love with Inbox by Gmail, so to make this a bit easier, Google created a transition guide to help switch from Inbox by Gmail to the new Gmail. All your conversations are already in Gmail.

New Google Contacts Stage 2

The first stage of the conversion to the new Google Contacts allowed individuals to opt in to using the new version of Google Contacts. 

Stage 2: On January 15, 2019, new Contacts will gradually become the default version in the UMICH domain. When this happens, every UMICH account will begin to be moved to new Contacts. Individuals will still be able to revert back to old Contacts if they want until stage 3.

Stage 3: Everyone is upgraded to new Contacts and old Contacts will be turned off beginning, February 12, 2019. Old Contacts will be turned off completely, and any remaining accounts will be moved to new Contacts. There will be no option to use the old version.

Google Classic Site Creation Ending

Although new Google Sites has been available for over two years, Google has yet to announce a date for retiring classic Sites. In preparation for the eventual retirement of classic Sites, the ITS Collaboration Services team has been urging campus to convert any remaining classic Sites to the new Sites format. As part of this effort, we will end the ability to create classic Sites in U-M Google on May 3, 2019. Beginning May 3, you will only be able to create new Sites in the UMICH domain. For the time being, existing classic Sites will remain available for updates. We will continue to keep the campus community informed on the status of classic Sites. 

New Google Sites are stored in Drive, so you can create them like any other Google file type. From Drive, click +New > More > Google Sites. Classic Sites remain available at sites.google.com. Please contact the ITS Service Center if you have a business need to continue creating classic Google Sites.