Integrating Microsoft and Google Workspace

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

A quick guide for integrating Google Workspace with Microsoft 365 — useful whether you’re standardizing identity across platforms or just want to use both ecosystems without friction.

The Reality of Identity in Growing Companies

Launching a startup, most teams start with Gmail and Google Apps. So it’s no surprise that Google login dominates for web applications. As applications mature, Microsoft support tends to get added — often gated behind enterprise or premium tiers.

That said, plenty of startups launch on Microsoft 365. Founders from enterprise backgrounds, existing Microsoft integrations, or partner requirements can all point you in that direction.

So if you want to use Google apps while also authenticating via your Microsoft 365 identity — you’ve come to the right place.

Getting Started: Microsoft 365 + Google Workspace

The setup is straightforward. Google has solid documentation, and the process is non-destructive as long as you follow the steps carefully.

Key note: This will not change your email from Outlook to Gmail. And when validating your domain in Google, be careful not to overwrite existing DNS records (especially your MX records).

1. Set up Google Workspace for your M365 Domain

First, provision Google Workspace for your company domain:

Set up Google Workspace

2. Set up user provisioning and single sign-on

You’ll need to configure two Enterprise Applications in your Microsoft 365 Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) tenant:

Enterprise Applications in M365

Provisioning app: Syncs user data from Microsoft to Google (not email — just identity and profile data).

SSO app: Lets users authenticate to Google Workspace using their Microsoft credentials. Follow the instructions carefully — the Microsoft UI wording occasionally diverges from Google’s documentation.

Full step-by-step guide:

Set up SSO and provisioning

3. Add Google Apps to Microsoft 365 Apps

To surface Google Apps inside M365, configure an Enterprise Application for each Google app:

Set up Google Apps as Microsoft Enterprise Applications

Wrapping Up

The whole setup typically takes 1–2 hours depending on your familiarity with Entra ID and Google Workspace admin. Do it in a focused window without interruptions.

Nothing in this process is destructive — the only thing to watch is the DNS validation step in Google Workspace. Stick to domain verification only and don’t apply Gmail-over-Outlook settings, and you’ll be fine.

One final note: you’ll likely need to purchase Google Workspace licenses to access Meet, Chat, and full storage. Docs, Sheets, and Slides are available on a free tier. Pricing details:

Google Workspace Pricing

Questions? Reach out — happy to walk you through it.