Author: Ben

Google Sheets and Workspace Updates from Google Next 2026

Unfortunately, I missed the Google Next conference this year. 

It looked like a great event with loads of exciting announcements, including significant ones for Google Workspace. The big shift in 2026 is the evolution from AI assistance (Gemini helping you) to Agent workflows (Gemini doing things for you).

Here’s a list of the most interesting for us Sheets/Workspace developers, but let me know if you think I missed anything!

Across Google Workspace

  • Google Workspace Intelligence: making Gemini assistant smarter by letting it tap into your organization’s actual work context, not just the open internet. It looks at your work content and patterns and reasons over that.
  • Universal Search: Agents can search across all Workspace Apps to get a consolidated view of the user’s context across all apps.
  • Official Workspace CLI (Command Line Interface) to call Workspace APIs from command line.
  • Dedicated Workspace MCP Server: For Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Chat, People.
  • Agent Control Centre in Google Workspace Admin Console to help you monitor, control, and audit agent access to your data in Workspace.

Gemini in Sheets

The new “Build” feature in Google Sheets.

Google Apps Script

Gemini sidebar in Apps Script editor (coming soon).

Workspace Studio

Workspace Studio is the new visual, drag-and-drop tool that lets users build workflow agents using natural language. New features coming:

  • Skills feature (see announcement #2): To deploy agentic automation across every team.
  • NotebookLM Integration: Integrate notebooks from NotebookLM directly into Google Workspace Studio automation workflows to use existing documents as a grounded knowledge source.
  • Third-Party Connectors: Out-of-the-box integration for agents to pull data from Asana, Jira, Mailchimp, and Salesforce directly into Workspace.
  • Gems Integration: An “Ask a Gem” step that allows flows to send prompts to private Gems to automate summaries or document creation.
NotebookLM integration with Workspace Studio.

Further Reading

Here’s Google’s official video summarizing the key Workspace announcements:

And here’s the full list of all 260 product announcements from Google Next 2026:

260 things we announced at Google Cloud Next ’26 – a recap

11 Incredibly Useful URL Tricks for Google Sheets

Did you know that by changing the URL of a Google Sheet we can change how it behaves?

In this post, we look at 11 incredibly useful URL Tricks for Google Sheets.

For example, we can create a URL that automatically downloads the Sheet as a PDF. Or create a template ready for copying. And much more.

URL Tricks for Google Sheets

Take a look at any Google Sheets URL in the address bar of your browser.

It will take the following form:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ + file ID + / extension

We can change the /extension at the end of the URL to ensure a different action happens when a user uses that URL.

Feel free to click on any of the links below to see how they work. They are all linked to the following template, which you can copy for your own reference (bonus points if you use the correct URL trick to do that).

URL Tricks for Google Sheets

1. Standard Sharing Link Format

This is the default sharing link for Google Sheets. Users with appropriate permissions can view or edit the sheet.

  • Advantages: Provides direct access to the Sheet with full functionality.
  • Limitations: If set to “Anyone with the link can edit,” any users can make changes.
  • Best For: Team collaboration when you want users to view or edit the Sheet.

Extension Format:
/edit?usp=sharing

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/edit?usp=sharing

2. Preview

Opens the spreadsheet in a read-only format without showing the editing toolbar.

  • Advantages: Cleaner presentation without distractions from menus and tools.
  • Limitations: Users cannot edit or copy directly from this view.
  • Best For: Great for sharing data in a presentation format when you don’t want users to make edits.

Extension Format:
/preview

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/preview​

3. HTML View

Converts the sheet into a basic HTML page.

  • Advantages: Loads faster and is accessible without needing Google Sheets’ interface.
  • Limitations: Some formatting and interactive features may not function properly.
  • Best For: Useful for reports since it eliminates sheet controls but allows you to still navigate between tabs.

Extension Format:
/htmlview

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/htmlview

4. Template

Opens a “Use Template” preview, allowing users to see and create their own copy of the file.

  • Advantages: Prevents accidental changes to the original document while ensuring consistency across copies.
  • Limitations: Users must have permission to access the original file.
  • Best For: Ideal for distributing Google Sheets to wider audiences so they can create their own copies.

Extension Format:
/template/preview

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/template/preview​

5. Make a Copy

Prompts users to create their own editable copy of the spreadsheet.

  • Advantages: Ensures the original file remains unchanged and user makes a copy.
  • Limitations: Requires users to be signed into Google to create a copy.
  • Best For: Useful for ensuring users make a copy of a Google Sheet.

Extension Format:
/copy

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/copy​

6. Export as a PDF

Generates a downloadable PDF version of the spreadsheet.

  • Advantages: PDF format ensures consistency across devices and prevents edits.
  • Limitations: Not interactive, not all features will display correctly; updates to the sheet require generating a new PDF.
  • Best For: Perfect for distributing static reports, tables, invoices, or finalized documents.

Extension Format:
/export?format=pdf

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/export?format=pdf​

7. Export as a CSV

Provides a downloadable CSV version of the sheet, exporting only the active tab.

  • Advantages: Downloads your data in a universal format compatible with most data processing tools.
  • Limitations: Loses formatting, formulas, interactive elements, and multiple sheet structures.
  • Best For: Great for exporting data tables for analysis in other software, such as databases or coding environments.

Extension Format:
/export?format=csv

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/export?format=csv​

8. Export as an Excel Document

Downloads the spreadsheet as an Excel (.xlsx) file.

  • Advantages: Retains formulas, formatting, and multiple sheets.
  • Limitations: Some Google Sheets-specific features (like QUERY function or Google Apps Script) may not work in Excel.
  • Best For: Best for sharing Sheets with users who prefer or require Excel.

Extension Format:
/export?format=xlsx

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/export?format=xlsx​

9. Distraction Free Editor

Opens the sheet in a minimalistic mode with no toolbars or menus.

  • Advantages: Reduces clutter and distractions for focused editing.
  • Limitations: Some editing options may not be accessible.
  • Best For: Useful for presenting data cleanly or working in a distraction-free environment.

Extension Format:
/view?rm=minimal

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/view?rm=minimal​

(Because I shared a view-only copy, you won’t be able to do any editing. Share with editor rights if you want to use this feature.)

10. Basic Controls Editor

Opens the sheet in a limited interface with only essential tools.

  • Advantages: Allows basic editing without overwhelming users.
  • Limitations: Lacks full editing capabilities.
  • Best For: Ideal for users who need to make small modifications but don’t require full spreadsheet features.

Extension Format:
/view?rm=demo

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/view?rm=demo​

11. Embed in Iframe

Embeds the spreadsheet in a webpage without extra Google Sheets UI elements.

  • Advantages: Provides a seamless way to display live data in a website or online dashboard.
  • Limitations: Users cannot interact fully unless given editing access.
  • Best For: Great for embedding spreadsheets in blogs, dashboards, or reports where live data needs to be displayed.

Extension Format:
/view?rm=embedded

Example link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h8kgPdJx8myJP_C_8WRfs4x6Uqqg2E7s5YdTpJDbcUM/view?rm=embedded​

I Let OpenAI Operator Manage My Google Sheet: Here’s What Happened.

OpenAI recently launched their agent tool called Operator. It’s an AI powered tool that can navigate the web and perform tasks for you using its own browser. It can click, type, scroll, and generally interact with web pages the way you or I would.

Naturally, I tested it out with a Google Sheets project to see how it fared. Specifically, I asked it to complete 3 tasks for me:

  1. Create a pivot table
  2. Create a chart
  3. Write a script to email a pdf copy of the Sheet to me

Here’s how it got on:

OpenAI Operator in action

I pasted the URL of my Google Sheet into the Operator chat window and asked it to get to work.

It opened the Sheet in a Linux browser within Operator and then handed control to me to login to the Sheet. Once that was complete I handed control back to Operator to work it’s magic.

It was wild watching the computer take control of my Sheet. I watched it open menus, insert objects, and write code.

The craziest moment was when it made a mistake with the pivot table and self-corrected 🤯.

Well, that, or when it opened my Apps Script editor and started coding!

But it wasn’t all plain sailing.

It got itself completely stuck when it was trying to save the script it wrote. It kept pressing the “Undo” button and, eventually, I had to step in and tell it where the “Save” button was.

I felt like I was like working with a digital assistant.

I’m excited for this to go fully multimodal. Imagine working through this scenario with voice activation instead of using a chatbot.

We overestimate the short-term change, but underestimate the long-term change. It feels like we’re moving pretty darn fast at the moment 😯.

Operator Availability

At the time of writing (27th January 2025) Operator is available to OpenAI Pro users in the U.S..

Can AI Studio teach me how to build a pivot table?

January 2025

Hardly a week passes at the moment without some technology announcement that makes me go “wow!”.

This week it’s Google’s AI Studio that has been impressing me, offering a glimpse into what the future of software education could look like.

What’s different with this tool is that it lets you share your screen and have a verbal conversation with the AI model (in this case Gemini), so it can walk you through a problem.

In my case, I used it to walk me through building a pivot table. And whilst it didn’t get everything correct (yet!), it’s impressive and feels like you’re talking to an assistant, not your computer.

How to use AI Studio to teach you

  • Go to https://aistudio.google.com/​
  • Sign in with your Google account. It’s free to use. When you log in, the homepage looks like this:
Google AI Studio homepage
  • Click on the “Stream Realtime” in the left menu (shown by the red arrow).
  • Share your screen and have a conversation with AI Studio! For example, you could say:
    ​
    ​“I want you to walk me through building a pivot table that summarizes the total sales price by property type.”​
    ​
    (And say it out loud, don’t type it in.)
    ​
  • Because the Pivot Table once existed under the data menu, AI Studio initially guided me there first (the only serious mistake it made). I said “I don’t see the pivot table option under the data menu, is it under one of the other menus?”
    ​
    So, don’t hesitate to interject if you can see it making a mistake.
    ​
  • Once you have a basic pivot table, you could ask for help sorting the data or adding another category.
  • Another great use case is asking it to explain lines of code to you. For example, share your screen showing a code block and try something like this “can you explain what the code on lines 52 – 56 does?”

It’s early days, so it’s far from perfect. It does make mistakes so you can’t rely on it blindly. You still need to cultivate your own knowledge.

But it’s a glimpse into what’s around the corner when we have infinitely patient AI assistants at our beck and call. And I think that’s a bright future, where we can be dramatically more efficient, focused on insights and outcomes, not code syntax or formula issues.

What do you think?

AI Experiments: Using Sora AI to Generate Videos

One of my goals this year is to experiment with AI tools and have fun doing it. This is the first in the series, using Open AI’s Sora text-to-video tool to create a fictional advertisement for Polar Explorers back in the polar heyday:

The sheer number of daily AI announcements and new tools feels overwhelming at the moment.

One way to cut through this noise is to set yourself an AI project and see it through to the end.

Whether you use one tool or 10, and whether it’s the latest this-or-that or just run-of-the-mill ChatGPT, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you complete something with GenAI. In the process, you’ll learn how to use these tools, what they’re good at, and what they’re not good at. And in the process, you’ll keep yourself relevant in the future.

For this experiment, I wanted to learn about creating videos using GenAI, and specifically, OpenAI’s text-to-video tool: Sora AI.

Background

The inspiration for this project came from this article at the end of last year, about Coca-Cola creating an entire ad using AI tools and how the project was more like developing software than a traditional film shoot.

I was also reading Shackleton’s biography at the time.

In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton was recruiting men to join his boldest Antarctic expedition: the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

The expedition is famous because the ship Endurance was trapped in the ice and sank, leaving 28 men stranded on the sea ice with no hope of rescue. The men escaped via a perilous small boat crossing of the Southern Ocean, in what has become one of the greatest survival stories of all time.

Shackleton posted this famous, likely apocryphal, newspaper advertisement to recruit sailors and explorers for his expedition and received over 5,000 responses.

Ad mockup generated by The Newspaper Clipping Generator

It’s often touted as an example of good copy, although the original has never been found and it seems the general consensus is that it’s not authentic.

Polar Ad for the TikTok Generation

I decided to try recreating this ad as a video for the TikTok generation, with the help of AI. In other words, imagine if Shackleton had TikTok and YouTube back in the day, what would his ad look like?

Here’s the result:

And, of course, the TikTok generation would most likely watch it in portrait orientation on their phones, so I uploaded to YouTube shorts here (since I’m not on TikTok).

How This Video Was Made

Sora to generate videos

I used OpenAI’s new video tool, Sora, to generate videos based on prompts.

Sora AI text-to-video tool

For example, to get the video of the gentleman reading his paper wearing a bowler hat, I used this prompt:

A gentleman in a finely tailored suit, wearing a polished top hat, strides confidently along New Burlington Street. The street is bustling with horse-drawn carriages, women in Edwardian dresses, and men in similar formal wear. The architecture is early 20th century, with brick buildings lining the street. The scene is lively and captures the essence of London in 1914.

And to get the polar explorers on the ice, I used this prompt:

5 edwardian polar explorers walk slowly across a wind-swept ice cap with snowy mountains in the distance. The 5 men are dragging a heavily laden sledge behind them. We are behind them looking at their backs.

ElevenLabs to generate voices

ElevenLabs is a tool that converts text to speech, with a wide variety of voices to play with.

I inputted the text from the ad:

“Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success.”

And then experimented with various old-fashioned voices to get the tone I was looking for.

Suno to generate background music

To create background music, I used a tool called Suno.

Suno generates music based on a song description and optional settings like whether it’s instrumental or not.

Video Production

I’ve been making course videos for years, so I used the same tools to bring the different Sora clips together into a single video.

Steps:

  • Download the assets from the AI tools above
  • Import into Screenflow
  • Add video and audio clips into timeline and trim as needed
  • I added a vignette and vintage filter to the videos to make them look older
  • Export
  • Using Handbrake to shrink the video file size
  • Upload to YouTube
ScreenFlow workflow

I had some fun creating this and learnt some new skills along the way.

And, although the videos are very obviously AI generated, it’s incredibly impressive that all this was generated from a few paragraphs of text.

Just image where this leads… it’s not hard to picture a world where you ask Netflix to generate a new Jurassic Park movie set in the Caribbean featuring Dwayne Johnson. And you come back half an hour later and it’s ready for you to watch.

We live in wild times!