ChatGPT Work edits Google Docs, Sheets and Slides and reuses your file templates
An OpenAI Help Center guide, updated at the end of October, sets out how ChatGPT Work creates and edits documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Work supports native Google Docs, Sheets and Slides when the matching Google Workspace app is enabled and connected. You pick the account or file when ChatGPT asks, approve the action, then check the result in Google Workspace. In the ChatGPT desktop app, Codex can also work in an open Microsoft Excel workbook through the ChatGPT for Excel add-in. PowerPoint is not part of that desktop flow at launch.
The guide also covers templates. A template pairs a reference file, such as a .docx, .xlsx or .pptx file or a link to a Google file, with instructions you reuse for work like weekly reports or project briefs. You build one with @Template-Creator and pick it from @Documents, @Spreadsheets or @Presentations. Templates are personal. To share one with your team, you package it as a plugin and a workspace admin publishes it. What you can do depends on your plan, workspace settings and file type.
What it means for your work
- For recurring reports: Turn last month's report into a template, then give ChatGPT only the new material each time.
- Before you share: Open each new Google file and check its folder and sharing settings, as OpenAI also advises.
- If you run ChatGPT for a team: Decide which Google apps and actions to allow, and which templates to publish as plugins.
From December, ChatGPT and Codex will also share one usage allowance on Plus, Pro and Business plans.