U-M Google Updates

Expanded page hierarchy in the new Google Sites

11/1/2017

One feature we were missing in the new Sites was deep page hierarchy. Google heard our feedback and now made it possible to nest five levels of pages in the new Google Sites, up from the two levels previously allowed. To nest a page within a page, drag and drop it into your desired location from the Pages menu on the right side of your screen.

Google Tips, Tricks, and Ideas

10/30/2017

Interested in learning new and creative ways to use the G Suite (Google) collection of apps?

  • Check out theTransformation Gallery to see real-life examples of the apps in action.
  • WatchThe G Suite Show, a series of short YouTube videos showing creative ways to solve problems and get work done.  

New! Google Calendar on the Web

10/25/2017

A fresh look and new features are coming to Google Calendar on the web. Google is taking the modern color palette and sleek design of the mobile app and bringing it to the web using a responsive layout that auto-adjusts to your screen size.

Beginning November 1, click the link at the top of your Calendar to get started using the new version. The current Classic Calendar will remain available until February 28, 2018. After that, only the new calendar will be available. If for some reason you want to switch back to Classic Calendar before February 28th, you can find it in the new Calendar settings.

With the new Calendar for web, you can:

  • See conference room details when booking a room. Hover over a room name in Calendar and a hovercard will pop up with details about the conference room location and resources.
    Note: Details appear only if they are provided to ITS.
  • Add rich formatting and hyperlinks to Calendar invites. Link to spreadsheets, documents or presentations in your Calendar invite and open them from the new Event Detail view. Create more detailed agendas and keep materials in one place before the meeting starts.
  • Manage multiple calendars side by side in Day view. Click Day view and select the calendars to compare.
  • See contact information of meeting participants by hovering over their names in a Calendar invite.
  • View and restore deleted items if you accidentally delete a meeting invite.
  • A Hangout is automatically attached to new events created with multiple attendees.
  • Day, Week, and Month views are now more accessible, featuring better compatibility with screen readers.

Some changes we have noted in the new version:

  • Phone numbers need to be setup and verified again to use SMS notify.
  • Edit event is more options.
  • New single-click event details screen.

Learn more at the Google support site.

U-M Google Team Drives go live October 25

10/10/2017

Starting Wednesday, October 25, you will be able to request Google Team Drives through the Google at U-M Website or the ITS Service Center.

Team Drives is a new feature of Google Drive, where teams of colleagues can access, create, store, search, and collaborate with their team-owned files. This team-based ownership model helps reduce the potential for data or access loss when individuals leave a team or even the University of Michigan. For more information, see our Google Team Drives Overview and training webinar.

Individuals can move files from their own My Drive into a Google Team Drive. Entire folders or folder structures cannot currently be migrated, due to issues uncovered during pilot testing. (Please see our Google Team Drives Pilot Update for more information.)

As with My Drive, there are several options for file management, sharing, and access levels for Team Drive members. We are currently documenting best practices in preparation for the rollout of Team Drives. You can also see how:

Here are a few important differences to note:

  • Team members can move individual files from My Drive into a Team Drive.
  • Once a file is moved from My Drive into a Team Drive, the file is removed from My Drive.
  • Team members with Full Access can move files and folders from a Team Drive into their own personal My Drive, and take ownership of them.
  • Files can be shared outside of the Team Drive with those who not part of the team. Folders within a Team Drive cannot be shared.
  • Team Drive files shared with non-team members will appear in their “Shared with me” list. Those files cannot be added to their own personal My Drive.

The ITS Collaboration Team will continue to communicate about Team Drives to campus over the next several weeks.

Create Custom Headers and Footers in Google Sheets

10/9/2017

Google is rolling out a new feature that allows you to customize the headers and footers in your Google Sheets with whatever text you choose. In addition, you can choose from pre-defined options (date, time, etc.) and move those elements around within your header and footer. To add custom headers and footers, choose EDIT CUSTOM FIELDS from the Print settings menu to get started.

Google is also introducing saved print settings with this feature. Modify your settings once, and they will be retained the next time you—or a collaborator—opens the spreadsheet.