February 6, 2019
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
- Google Classic Site Creation Ending
- In-Person Training for 2019
- New Google Contacts Stage 2
- Inbox by Gmail Ending
- Material Design for Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Sites on Web
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.