This announcement is part of Google Cloud Next ‘23. Visit the Workspace Blog to learn more about the new Google Chat. 

What’s changing

In 2021, we launched smart canvas to drive the next era of collaboration in Google Workspace. Since then, we’ve added numerous smart chips to Google Docs and Sheets that enable you to preview and access rich, context-setting information and files within your documents and spreadsheets. Today, we’re excited to announce smart chips in Google Chat on web. 


When composing a message in Chat, typing “@” will now display a list of suggestions for files to include as smart chips. You can search files by typing the name of the file, and the results will be based on files you’ve used most recently. Once a file is selected, you can insert it directly into your message. 
Evolving collaboration in Google Chat with smart chips
Who’s impacted 
End users 


Why you’d use it 
Many people take a number of collaborative actions in Chat so they can get work done faster. For example, you may share project files in a direct message or space to gather quick feedback from stakeholders. 


This feature reduces friction for senders by eliminating the need to separately find files within Drive and then copy/paste them into a Chat message. Now, users can send files as smart chips so they are compact and readable in a message, without leaving Chat. 


Additional details 
An in-line preview of the file chip will be shown while composing the message, similar to when pasting the URL of the file into Chat. This can be removed by clicking on the dismiss button before sending the message or at any point when editing the message. 


Getting started 
  • Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. 
  • End users: In Google Chat on web, type “@” followed by a file name to search for a file and insert it directly into a message. Visit the Help Center to learn more about sending & sharing files in Google Chat. 
    • Note: Mobile users can receive and click on smart chips, but cannot insert them on the Chat mobile app at this time. 

Rollout pace 

Availability 
  • Available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts 

Resources