Overview

With Google Workspace, you can create and collaborate on word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations online. Plus you get a suite of applications that include:

Appropriate Use

Google Workspace is intended for collaboration on actively used University files and is not intended to be an archive. Personal files, including photos and videos should not be stored in a UMN Google Workspace Account.

Note: Google Workspace accounts created on or after August 8 have storage allocations according to one's role or the function of the account. Learn about New Google Workspace Accounts: Storage Allocations

Focus on Files

Focus on Files in Google Workspace is an initiative to promote good practices for keeping your files organized and reducing digital clutter. The files you keep in Google Workspace add up! 

Highlights

Docs

  • Collaborate online with others in real time
  • Create new docs or upload and convert Word documents, OpenOffice, RTF, HTML, text (.txt) and other types of files
  • View document revisions with the option to revert to previous versions
  • Share documents online publically
  • Save your Google Docs as Word, OpenOffice, RTF, PDF, or HTML file formats
  • Email your documents to collaborators

Sheets

  • Format the appearance of Sheets and use formulas for calculations
  • Import and convert CSV, .xls, .txt and .ods formatted data
  • Export CSV, .xls, .txt and .ods formatted data and PDF and HTML files
  • Embed Google sheets in web pages
  • Set up email notifications to be alerted when changes are made to your spreadsheets

Slides

  • Create, share, and edit presentations
  • Import and convert existing presentations in .ppt and .pps file types
  • Download your presentations as a PDF, a .ppt, or a .txt file
  • Easily edit your presentations
  • Insert images and videos, and format your slides to fit your preferences
  • Embed your presentations in a web page

Getting Started

Integration into Canvas

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Intended Audience

Students
Instructors
Researchers
Staff & Departments

Cost

University-funded: No charge.

Featured Resources

Self-Help Guides

Google Drive: Work with Files and Folders

The Google Drive self-help guide provides how-to instructions for common tasks such as organizing and finding files and folders, sharing and working together on documents, and downloading and printing files.

How-Tos

Google Apps: General Email App Settings

You can access your University provided Gmail account through one of several third-party desktops and/or mobile email apps such as Outlook, Thunderbird, or AppleMail. This article provides essential information for...

How-Tos

Google Apps: Acceptable Use and Data Security

Your University of Minnesota Internet Account comes with access to a number of Google Apps.

The use of Google Apps at the University of Minnesota is subject to the University's policies:

  • Acceptable...
See All Resources

Additional Resources

Use Communication and Conferencing Tools
Use Technology for Courses
Learning Tools for Canvas
Canvas