Google Workspace just got a stack of updates that'll actually change how your team works day-to-day. The September 2026 release brings smarter spreadsheet controls, AI-powered meeting notes that fit on one page, easier multi-timezone scheduling, and tighter integrations with tools like Workday and Confluence. If you're managing finances, running meetings across time zones, or just trying to keep your team's documentation in one place, there's something useful here.
Let's break down what matters for your business.
What's new for spreadsheet users?
Workday integration for Google Sheets
If your finance team uses Workday Adaptive Planning, this one's for you. A new add-on connects Workday directly to Google Sheets and Slides—no more downloading CSVs, reformatting them, and hoping nothing breaks. The integration includes Workday's "Ask Workday" AI feature, so you can query your financial data without leaving your spreadsheet.
Manual calculation mode
Anyone who's worked with a massive, formula-heavy spreadsheet knows the frustration: you change one cell and the whole thing freezes while it recalculates. The new manual calculation setting lets you pause automatic updates, make all your edits, then trigger the recalculation when you're ready. Simple fix for a genuinely annoying problem.
Custom sorting in pivot tables
You can now drag and drop rows and columns in pivot tables to match your own business hierarchies. No more being stuck with alphabetical or numerical order when your reporting structure doesn't work that way.
How do the new meeting features help busy teams?
Quick notes from "Take notes for me"
Google Meet's note-taking AI now produces "Quick notes"—a single-page summary of action items, outcomes, and key points. This is built for people who need to catch up on meetings fast without reading through every detail. Think: a director who sits in on fifteen meetings a week and needs the essentials in two minutes.
New admin settings for "Take notes for me" take effect 29th September, so IT managers should check their configurations before then.
Occupancy counting on Logitech hardware
If you're tracking how meeting rooms actually get used, occupancy counting is now available on Android-based Logitech Gen 2 room hardware (starting with Rally Board 65). Gen 1 devices will get support next year.
What's changed for scheduling across time zones?
Google Calendar on the web now displays up to three time zones on your calendar grid. Previously you could only show two. If you're coordinating with teams in, say, London, Singapore, and Toronto, you can see all three at a glance without mental arithmetic or opening a converter.
What integrations should IT managers know about?
Confluence for Google Chat
Teams using Confluence for documentation can now pull relevant project context directly into Google Chat conversations. It's part of the Atlassian add-on—useful for keeping discussions grounded in actual documentation instead of half-remembered details.
IMAP email import (now generally available)
Migrating to Google Workspace? Admins can now import past emails from any IMAP-based provider during setup. This was in limited release before; it's now GA and available to everyone.
How does Gemini AI fit into this release?
Gemini Notebook as a source in Google Docs
You can now ground your Docs drafts in sources you've collected in Gemini Notebook. If you've done research in Notebook, you can reference it directly while writing—no tab-switching or copy-pasting.
Study notebooks in Gemini are also now available for all Google Workspace accounts (school or work), provided the admin has enabled the Gemini app and Gemini Notebook.
Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash in Google Vids
The video generation AI in Google Vids has been upgraded. Omni 1.1 Flash offers better character and audio consistency, plus you can now generate and upscale AI videos to 1080p.
What security and admin features were added?
Temporary administrator roles
Admins can now assign admin roles for a specific time period. When the time's up, access is automatically revoked. Handy for contractors, temporary cover, or audits where you need someone to have elevated access—but not forever.
Client-side encrypted PowerPoint import (beta)
Eligible organisations can now import PowerPoint files as client-side encrypted Slides. The file is encrypted on the client before import, then converted to high-fidelity encrypted Slides. This helps if you're working with sensitive documents and need to maintain encryption throughout.
For more on how Google Workspace fits into your broader IT setup, see our Google Workspace solutions page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to do anything to get these updates?
Most features roll out automatically. However, some—like Gemini Notebook access or "Take notes for me" settings—require admin configuration. Check your Google Admin console to enable or adjust settings.
Is the Workday add-on included with Google Workspace?
The add-on is available in the Google Workspace Marketplace, but you'll need an active Workday Adaptive Planning subscription to use it.
When do the new "Take notes for me" admin settings take effect?
29th September 2026. Review your settings before then to avoid surprises.
Can I use the three-timezone view on mobile?
This update applies to Google Calendar on the web. Mobile support may follow separately.
Ready to get more from Google Workspace?
If you're not sure which of these features apply to your setup, or you need help configuring admin settings, Blue Chip Technologies Ltd. can help. We support Google Workspace clients worldwide—remotely or on-site in Trinidad & Tobago.
Get in touch:
- Contact us online
- Call: 1 (868) 609-2288
- Email: [email protected]
