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This official feed from the Google Workspace team provides essential information about new features and improvements for Google Workspace customers.
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A summary of announcements from the last week:

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog over the last week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.

Set Google Forms to automatically stop accepting responses based on date and time or response count
Last year, we introduced a feature that gives Google Forms creators more control over who can respond to their forms via sharing settings. We are now improving how you can choose to manage responses in Google Forms by enabling you to set a close date or response limit for new responses. | Learn more about setting Google Forms to automatically stop accepting responses based on date and time or response count.  
Ingredients to Video in Veo 3.1 now supports portrait-sized clips in Google Vids
Today we’re announcing improvements to Veo 3.1 that allow you to generate portrait-sized clips with faster pace and engaging shots, all while delivering realistic audio and maintaining consistency of objects, characters, and backgrounds. | Learn more about Ingredients to Video in Veo 3.1. It now supports portrait-sized clips in Google Vids.
Automatic room check-in for Google Meet available on mobile devices
Mobile Companion Mode now supports automatic room check-in. Using ultrasound detection, your device pairs with room hardware to join meetings instantly, streamlining the process. | Learn more about Automatic room check-in for Google Meet available on mobile devices.
SecOps data connector now available for Google Workspace for Education Plus and Standard
We’re expanding the availability of the Google Workspace SecOps data connector to customers using Google Workspace for Education Plus and Education Standard. This feature was previously only available for our Enterprise customers. | Learn more about the SecOps data connector, now available for Google Workspace for Education Plus and Standard.
Editing password-protected Microsoft Office files directly in Google Drive
We're excited to announce a major improvement to Microsoft Office interoperability in Google Workspace: you can now edit Microsoft Office files that are password-protected, directly within Docs, Sheets, and Slides. | Learn more about editing password-protected Microsoft Office files directly in Google Drive.
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Flow is an AI-powered filmmaking tool built with and for creatives, allowing users to transform simple ideas into high-definition videos in minutes. Today, we’re announcing that Flow is now available as an additional Google service with granular admin controls. This ensures admins can enable the right users to benefit from Flow’s capabilities while managing data and access according to their organization’s needs.

With Flow, users can:

  • Transform ideas into video: Turn natural language prompts into beautiful images and cinematic scenes that tell a cohesive story.
  • Create seamlessly: Produce images, clips, scenes, and stories using Google’s most capable generative AI models like Veo 3.1 and Nano Banana Pro.
  • Accelerate production: Move from a simple concept to a high-definition video in minutes.
  • Bring curriculum to life: Educators and students can transform complex subjects—like historical events, scientific processes, or literature summaries—into engaging videos using simple text prompts, making abstract concepts easier to visualize and understand.

Getting started
Rollout pace
Availability
Available for Google Workspace:

  • Business Starter, Standard, and Plus
  • Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus
  • Education Standard and Plus
Also available to: 

  • Google AI Ultra for Business add-on
  • Google AI Pro for Education add-on
Resources
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We're excited to announce a major improvement to Microsoft Office interoperability in Google Workspace: you can now edit Microsoft Office files that are password-protected, directly within Docs, Sheets, and Slides.

When a user attempts to open a protected file in Drive, they will be prompted to enter the password with the option to View or Edit. Selecting “Preview” opens the document in read-only Preview mode without removing the password. New with this launch is the option to Edit, which will open the file for editing in Docs/Sheets/Slides and remove the password from the file.


A user opening a password protected Microsoft Office file in Google Drive

This enables better interoperability between Workspace and Microsoft, allowing users for the first time to edit password protected files directly in Drive. Prior to this, users would have to download and rely on third party applications to remove passwords or edit password protected Microsoft files.
Getting started
Rollout pace
  • Rapid Release domains: Full rollout (1–4 days for feature visibility) starting on January 13, 2026, and ending on January 16, 2026
  • Scheduled Release domains: Full rollout (1-3 days for feature visibility) starting on January 19, 2026, and ending January 21, 2026
Availability
  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts
Resources
Read More

What’s changing
We’re expanding the availability of the Google Workspace SecOps data connector to customers using Google Workspace for Education Plus and Education Standard. This feature was previously only available for our Enterprise customers.

The SecOps data connector allows you to seamlessly forward all your Google Workspace activity logs (including Gmail, Drive, Calendar, and more) into the Google SecOps platform (formerly Chronicle Security Operations).

This feature is critical for organizations, especially in the education sector, to maintain a strong security posture. By centralizing your Workspace audit data with other security telemetry, you can:

  • Enhance threat detection: Gain a unified view to correlate activity logs across your entire IT environment, making it easier to spot complex or coordinated threats like unauthorized data access, insider threats, and malicious email activity.
  • Improve incident response: Streamline your security workflows. With all data in one place, your security team can investigate incidents faster and automate responses, such as suspending compromised accounts or revoking file access.
  • Meet compliance and auditing needs: Easily maintain a long-term, searchable archive of activity logs to meet regulatory requirements and simplify internal and external audits.
This feature is a powerful, cost-effective way to utilize your existing Google Workspace data to strengthen your overall security and defense strategy.
Getting started
  • Admins: Configure the forwarding of Google Workspace audit logs to the Google SecOps platform in the Admin console. Visit the Help Center to learn more.
Rollout paceAvailability
  • This change impacts the following Google Workspace for Education Standard and Plus editions. Your organization must have an active Google SecOps subscription to utilize this data connector.
Resources
Read More

To simplify the process of joining meetings for those using companion mode on a phone or tablet within a conference room, we're introducing automatic room check-in via ultrasound proximity detection. To automatically check you in, the green room uses your phone or tablet’s microphone to detect an ultrasound signal from the conference room hardware, streamlining the process and eliminating unnecessary steps. This feature is available on Android and iOS devices.


The "Use Companion mode" button is highlighted, prompting the user to tap it to join the call.
Why it’s important
To simplify joining meetings from a conference room and prevent disruptive audio feedback, Google Meet now intelligently guides you to the best joining option.

Meet intelligently knows when you are in a room using an ultrasonic signal, and highlights the “Use Companion mode” button before you even join the call. This wayfinding feature helps ensure a seamless, echo-free start to your meeting. When you join using the highlighted “Companion mode” button, you will also be automatically checked into the correct room.
Additional details 
  • Minimum Android build required: 
    • Meet: 336.0. (Android Settings > Apps > Meet > [App Info > Version])
    • Gmail: 2025.12.01. (Android Settings > Apps > Gmail > [App Info > Version])
  • Minimum iOS build required: 
    • Meet: 336.0. (Meet > Settings -> About, terms, and privacy > Version)
    • Gmail:  6.0.251201. (Settings > About Gmail > Version)
Getting started
  • Admins: Proximity detection is on by default and can be enabled or disabled at the room level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about turning proximity detection on or off.
  • End users: The Companion mode entry point will be highlighted in the greenroom when the proximity detection signal is detected. After joining a meeting in Companion mode, the user will be automatically checked into the room. If proximity check-in isn’t working, visit the Help Center for troubleshooting tips. Users can still check in manually after joining the call.
Rollout pace
Availability
  • Available to all Google Workspace customers, and Workspace Individual subscribers
Resources
Read More

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