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Quickstart IT setup guide

Get your institution set up with Google Workspace for Education and be on your way to easier collaboration, centralized organization, and streamlined processes.

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Create your account

Decide which Google Workspace edition is best for your institution

Get Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals — communication and collaboration tools to empower teaching and learning. Or upgrade for additional capabilities with Google Workspace for Education Standard, the Teaching and Learning Upgrade, or Google Workspace for Education Plus. Compare Google Workspace Editions and sign up.


Verify your domain

After signing up, you’ll be guided to verify your domain.

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Define mail architecture

Set up MX records

You’ll use MX records to verify your domain and direct mail flow to Google mail servers. Configure your domain’s MX records.


Determine mail delivery

For general information on mail delivery, view the delivery options overview.

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Decide on organizational structure

Organizational units let you segment your user population and give different services and permissions to different organizational units. See how an organizational structure works and get step-by-step instructions for how to add an organizational unit.

a girl presenting a Google Document to a friend on her tablet
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Create accounts

Set up user accounts for your students, teachers, and other faculty

There are a few different options for adding users, so choose the best one for your institution. Review options for adding users.


Create one or more accounts

The easiest way to add users is to add accounts individually with manual provisioning. You can add up to 500 users at a time using CSV uploads.


Auto sync accounts for large institutions

Automatically provision users, groups, and contacts based on the user data in your LDAP server with Google Workspace Directory Sync.

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Integrate Google Workspace into the classroom

Centralize teaching and learning with Classroom

Classroom helps teachers and students communicate, stay organized, and save time. Help instructors get started by creating a class in Classroom.

Save time grading and provide feedback that counts using Assignments

Assignments lets you quickly and securely create, analyze, and grade coursework, while helping students learn more effectively — within or alongside your LMS.

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Authenticate accounts

Set up single sign-on

If you’re integrating accounts with other services at your institution, set up single sign-on.


Establish password recovery

To ensure that users can contact the right team in case of login issues, set up password recovery.

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Migrate data

Data migrations can be performed server side or client side. For detailed help on migrating your organization’s data, consult migration guides.

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Enable services

Now that you’re all set up, take a look around and explore what Google Workspace can do.

  • Gmail logo

Gmail

Set up an institution-wide email system. Or use Gmail to exchange secure emails. Enable Gmail.

  • Google Drive logo

Drive

Store and organize assignments, documents, or class curriculum securely and access them from any device. Enable Drive.

  • Google Calendar logo

Calendar

Share calendars or create a joint calendar with other members to easily keep track of schedules. Enable Calendar.

  • Google Jamboard logo

Jamboard

Sketch and collaborate on an interactive canvas from your computer, phone, or tablet. Enable Jamboard.

  • Google Sites logo

Sites

Create sites, host course curriculum, build development skills, and unleash creativity with this easy-to-use web builder. Enable Sites.

  • Google Meet logo

Google Meet

Connect virtually through secure video calls and messaging to keep learning going outside of school. Enable Google Meet.

  • Google Groups logo

Groups

Create and participate in group forums to foster communication and conversation. Enable Groups.

  • Google Vault logo

Vault

Add users, manage devices, and configure security and settings so your data stays safe. Enable Vault.

  • Google Additional Services logo

Additional Services

Control users' access to several additional services, such as YouTube, Blogger, Google Analytics, and more. Tailor experiences for your users by setting access to some Google services based on age. Enable Additional Services.

Students in a lecture hall looking intently in room filled with students.
Upgraded editions

Add enhanced capabilities

Transform your learning environment with enhanced security features and premium collaboration tools in Education Standard, Teaching and Learning Upgrade, or Education Plus.

Get help setting up Google Workspace

View deployment guide

Get more detailed information on setting up Google Workspace for Education. View the Deployment Guide.

Contact a specialist

Get one-on-one support from a Google for Education specialist on creating a deployment plan or have them implement it for you. Contact a specialist.

Visit the help center

If you still have questions about setting up Google Workspace, find the answers at the Admin Help Center.

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