U-M Google Updates

Custom URLs Not Available in New Google Sites

1/11/2017

Custom URLs make it easier for people to remember and find websites. Although popular, Google does not allow for custom URLs in the new version of Sites. Additionally, new Google Sites cannot be moved back to the Classic Sites version. The U-M Google team will monitor Google’s progress in this space and let you know if and when Google provides this functionality. If you feel strongly about this feature being missing from the New Sites, we encourage you to provide feedback to Google by selecting Report an Issue from the More Actions (gear icon) drop-down list in Google Sites.

The Collaboration Services Team

Cite Your Sources With Explore in Google Docs

12/16/2016

Hello,

Google has announced they are improving on the Explore feature in Google Docs to allow you to cite sources. With the click of a button in Explore in Docs on the web, you can insert citations from the web as footnotes. You can change the formatting of your citation making it easier to use MLA, APA, and Chicago styles. To cite a source, click Explore in the bottom-right of the screen. Enter search text and press Enter/Return. Then click Select citation format and make a style selection, the default is MLA. Then hover over the search result to cite and click Cite as footnote and a footnote is added to the Doc.

Google November Monthly Update

12/5/2016

The monthly U-M Google Updates 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 U-M Google List of Services page.

Core Apps:

Note: Keep in mind that even when non-core apps are found in a core app (like Google Drive), they are not covered by the G Suite for Education agreement.

New Google Sites Goes Live on 11/21

11/11/2016

Google Sites is beginning the transition from classic Sites to a completely new implementation of Sites starting on November 21, 2016 by making the new Sites the default option. Google Sites is one of the most popular products offered by Google and with the introduction of the new Sites there will be more options for customization and functionality. Some of the new exciting features include:

  • Drag-and-drop design experience
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Easy access to all your Google Apps content (Drive, Maps, Calendar, etc).
  • New and stylish themes and layouts

Important notes:

  • In 2017, Google will provide and recommend options to migrate your sites from classic Sites to new Sites.
  • Beginning in 2018, Google will send a timeline and instructions regarding the gradual process to shut down classic Sites. The specific date for the shutdown of classic Sites has yet to be set, but Google will inform you at least one year in advance of the shutdown.

If you’re interested in more information about the new Sites, Google has put together a Google Sites Help Center to help with the transition to the new Sites as well as a Learning Center for more information about the new sites.

U-M Google October Updates

11/3/2016

Hello,

The monthly U-M Google Updates inform users about what is happening with Google releases for both Core Apps (Google applications that fall under the G Suite for Education agreement and do NOT require separate terms of service or privacy policy), as well as the Non-Core Apps (those that are not part of the G Suite for Education agreement). We will continue to communicate important information on Core Apps throughout the month as well. For a list of Core and Non-Core Apps, see the U-M Google List of Services.

Core Apps:

  • Learn about your co-workers in the context of the Android apps you use every day. When you tap on a profile photo, the information that’s available in the Google UMICH directory will be shown in the new “Directory” card, showing you more information about the person.

  • New! Page numbers are now an option for table of contents. To enable page numbers, select the numbered option when inserting a table of contents from the Insert menu.