Google’s Gemini AI is getting a bigger role across Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Source: The Verge

Google is embedding its Gemini AI assistant even more deeply within its Workspace apps. The changes, which are rolling out to Google Workspace and AI plan subscribers, include a new Gemini chat window inside Google Docs, a way to generate entire spreadsheets with AI, and a new Gemini‑powered search feature in Drive.

Google Docs

A Gemini chat window now appears at the bottom of the screen in Docs. You can describe the type of document you’d like to create, and Gemini will pull information from the web, Drive, Gmail, and Chat to generate and fully format a draft. It can also match the format of an existing document, saving time on styling and structure.

Editing Enhancements

• Match writing style – Highlight collaborators’ text, select “Match writing style,” and Gemini will rewrite the passage to align with the document’s tone.
• In‑line suggestions – Provide changes throughout the document based on a prompt, showing suggestions inline. These suggestions remain private until you approve them.

“When you are, for example, wanting to write a report or a customer brief, people are turning to Docs,” says Yulie Kwon Kim, Google’s VP of product for Workspace. “You can get the assistance from Gemini right where you are in your familiar place, where you’re doing your everyday work.”

Google Sheets

Gemini can now generate an entire spreadsheet—not just tables—by describing what you need. It draws on data from your files, emails, chats, and the web.

• Populate tables – Fill tables using information from an existing spreadsheet or the web, extending the AI function introduced last year.
• Analytical tasks – Use the side‑panel to ask Gemini to solve problems such as optimizing weekly employee scheduling for profit while balancing staff availability and required skills.

During a briefing, Google demonstrated Gemini searching for and filling columns with locations, revenue, and market capitalization for a list of companies.

Google Slides

A Gemini‑powered upgrade lets you ask the AI to generate a slide. Gemini inserts copy and formats the slide to match the rest of the deck. You can also prompt Gemini to edit an existing slide, handling text and image formatting automatically. Google plans to enable generation of an entire presentation from a text prompt and your Workspace data “soon.”

Google Drive

Search in Drive now supports natural‑language queries with an AI Overview, similar to Google Search but focused on your files. The overview returns a list of relevant documents or answers questions with citations.

• Ask Gemini in Drive – Ask the assistant about stored files, Gmail, Calendar, or Chat content.
• Source control – Choose which sources are included in the search and narrow results to specific folders.

Availability & Security

These features roll out now in English to Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers, as well as Workspace customers with Gemini Alpha enabled. Google states that the updates come with the same “enterprise‑grade data protections as the rest of Workspace.”