Google Workspace, Google's suite of collaboration tools customized especially for our campus, is available to all members of the campus community. Use this page to get started with the applications (or apps, not to be confused with 'mobile apps') in the Google Workspace suite.
Available Apps
- Find the latest list of apps under More > Even More in the Google Workspace navigation bar. This list is subject to change to reflect the latest apps in the Google Apps for Education suite.
- If you are interested in a particular app that is not part of the standard set, please contact the IT Help Center before purchasing it. UMass Amherst IT will be evaluating and adding apps to Google Workspace on an ongoing basis. In some cases, we may add your suggested app to our list, in other cases, we may recommend that you purchase it under your personal Google account.
Mail
- Google Mail Basics - Get a quick overview of how Google Mail works. Gmail Basics
- Navigating Google Mail - From conversations, to archiving, to deleting, to removing spam and signing out. Learn it all here. Navigating Gmail
- Composing & Sending Email - Learn how to send, reply, forward, and save emails. Composing and Sending
- Signatures, Labels & Filters - Here’s how to set up your email signature, labels to organize your email (similar to folders), and filters to automate what happens to certain types of email. Set Up Email
- Email forwarding & vacation replies - learn how to enable email forwarding and set vacation replies in Google Mail.
- Inbox by Gmail - an opt-in feature that allows users to better organize their messages. This includes setting reminders, snoozing messages, creating custom labels and categories, and much more. Learn more about Inbox by Gmail.
Contacts
- Email, Find & Manage Your Contacts - With Google Apps, you can easily organize, find, contact, and track information about the people and groups you correspond with. You can manage contacts in an online address book called the Contact Manager. Contact Manager also allows you to quickly find addresses when composing email messages or setting up calendar events. Contacts Basics
- Creating Groups & Mailing Lists - Use contact groups to organize your contacts and as personal mailing lists - to send email messages or meeting invitations to groups of people you contact frequently, without having to enter each email address individually. Note: Google Groups is currently unavailable in Google Workspace. Contact Groups
Calendar
- Scheduling & Other Calendar Basics - Stay organized, be on time for classes, hand in assignments on time, and don't be late for a meeting again with Google Calendar. Calendar Basics
- Set up Reminders, Sharing & More - Easily set up reminders, share your calendar with others, view others' calendars, or create multiple calendars. More on Calendar
Documents
There are several kinds of Google documents (docs.umass.edu): Docs (similar to Microsoft Word), Sheets (similar to Microsoft Excel), Slides (similar to Microsoft PowerPoint), Drawings, and Forms. Here are the basics to get you started. Note: Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets are not the exact equivalent to the Microsoft Office Suite. Depending on your needs, Google Documents may not be a substitute for MS Office. Docs Basics | Sheets Basics | Slides Basics |
Once you've created your document, you can share it with others. Collaborators can then edit the same document at the same time—you'll always have the most up-to-date version at your fingertips. Share and collaborate
Note: When sharing a document, it is best practice to contact the end recipient(s) to make sure they receive it.
Drive
Use Google Drive (docs.umass.edu) to store and access your files, folders, and Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides from any device with an Internet connection. Make changes in real time without having to check out your document or other unnecessary steps. Note: If you are working with university data, please educate yourself about the types of university data that can and cannot be stored on Google Workspace. Get Started with Google Drive | Learn More | Requirements for Storing University Data
Sites
Google Sites is an application that makes building a Web site easy. You can gather information in one place, including videos, calendars, presentations, attachments, and text - and easily share it for viewing or editing with others. Use Google Sites to set up internal project sites, or public-facing sites. Getting Started with Google Sites | Learn More