Do you have Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, and company files in Microsoft 365? Google has introduced new tools to migrate them to Workspace. However, this doesn’t mean that switching providers is a one-click process.
On October 13, 2026, Google announced improvements to data migration from Microsoft 365 to Google Workspace, as well as new collaboration features for Office files. For small and medium-sized businesses, this news has practical implications: the choice of platform can now be made with more information and less technical dependence on the old environment.
What can you now migrate?
According to the official announcement, Google Workspace Data Import supports migration from Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, and Microsoft Teams. This includes data such as emails, calendars, files, document libraries, channels, and team chats.
Google also mentions mapping certain settings—such as Outlook rules, calendar permissions, and shared mailboxes—to corresponding Workspace features. The company describes the migration capabilities for these services as generally available.
The company advertises migrations that are up to five times faster, with no additional charge for this tool. This is Google’s claim; it is not a speed that has been independently verified for every installation. And of course, it does not mean that Google Workspace is free or that there are no migration costs.
What’s Not Ready Yet
The announcement distinguishes between features that are available today and those planned for later:
- The preservation and mapping of certain Microsoft Information Protection sensitivity labels during migration is scheduled for broader availability by the end of 2026.
- New capabilities for handling protected or encrypted emails and files are also on the timeline Google has outlined for the end of the year.
- Office Editing Mode within Gmail, which allows for direct editing of Office attachments and attaching the new version to a reply, is expected later this quarter.
Therefore, an IT administrator should not assume that every feature described in the announcement is already available in their own account.
Should I switch away from Microsoft just because there’s a new option?
Not necessarily. A business may be running exceptionally well on Microsoft 365 and not need to make any changes. The gist of the news is that certain technical barriers are being lowered for those who have a reason to evaluate an alternative solution.
The decision depends on the team’s needs: who uses Excel with complex macros, which apps are linked to Microsoft accounts, how shared folders work, what the company’s requirements are for record-keeping and security, which subscriptions the company pays for, and what staff will need to relearn.
Five steps before you click “migrate”
- Inventory: How many mailboxes, calendars, groups, shared files, and automations are there?
- Check critical functions: Which forms, CRM systems, accounting programs, and applications depend on Microsoft 365?
- Test migration: Start with a few accounts, verifying emails, attachments, permissions, and file access.
- Migration plan: corporate domain, DNS records, email delivery and receipt, SPF/DKIM/DMARC, user notification, and agreed-upon timeframe.
- Post-migration testing: Confirm with actual users that everyday workflows function properly before terminating old subscriptions or revoking access.
The true cost isn’t just the subscription fee
A difference of a few euros per user can matter. But if a critical access right, a chat history, or a workflow is lost, the cost of disruption can be greater. That’s why a thorough evaluation compares total cost, compatibility, security, and time to adoption.
An easier migration is a welcome development for the competition. It is not, in and of itself, a recommendation for everyone to switch platforms.
What We Focus On at BEEGITAL
Before any change in digital tools, we examine the actual workflow and not just the list of features or the price. A successful transition is one where employees can continue working the very next day without any surprises.