Adding URLs to Google 'Waffle'

[simpsonj]

I believe I've seen this in another school, but I can't work it out. Is there a way of adding custom URLs to the Google Waffle or Dashboard for students?

 

Google answers hints that it's possible but doesn't actually show you how to do it.

[rogerdnixon]

You basically go to Apps > Web and mobile Apps and add a custom SAML app e.g. Canva in our case. Or add service from the Google Workspace Marketplace - they generally pop an icon in.

[simpsonj]

Is it possible to add a link to a Google Site, such as a school intranet page?

[simpsonj]

Worked it out, it's a little bit of fudge work, but the end result does what I need!

 

Thanks Roger

[masits]

Hi @simpsonj, I need to achieve the same, a web link in the Waffle Menu. Please share how you achieved this. Thanks in advance

[simpsonj]

1. Log into the Google Admin Console

2. Click on Apps – Web and mobile apps

3. Add app – Add custom SAML app

4. Give a name, description and upload an icon – Click Continue

5. The next page is setting up Single Sign On, I believe you can just leave it as the defaults and click continue

6. Enter the ACS URL (The URL of the site you want to add) and the Entity ID (Can be anything) Also add the site URL as the Start URL. Leave the rest as default. Click Continue

7. The final page is around Google Directory mapping and Group Memberships that can be left to the defaults – Click Finish

8. The ‘App’ details screen will then open

a. Check the certificate expiry date is in the future

i. If not, click on the certificate, then Manage Certificates

ii. Click Add certificate and it should generate a new certificate to use

iii. Assign the new certificate to the app

b. It won’t be assigned to anyone as default, so click on OFF for everyone

c. Using the organisational unit display to the left, find the users you want to assign the icon to (I would suggest a test user to begin with!) then turn it ON for Everyone in that ou

 

There are bits of this method I don’t like, as I’m not sure what’s going on with steps 5 and 6, but it seems you can fudge past them to get the desired result (an icon in the waffle that takes you to a designated URL).

[masits]

Thank you so much @simpsonj - that's tomorrow's work planned.

[masits]

With thanks to previous contributors, I still couldn't get this to work so opened a support ticket with Google. This concluded with Google stating that "at this moment it is unable to add a [sic] URL".

 

I was able to talk with one of the Chrome specialists on my end to discuss your inquiries and what you are trying to achieve. I have been advised on the following:1. The waffle can only be used to display Marketplace apps and SAML apps only - at this moment it is unable to add a URL.2. The document that you have kindly shared refers to Chrome policies for many settings, unfortunately none of them controls the waffle. This was reviewed an confirmed by them.3. The team has advised that it is best to add this URL as a bookmark instead; I am sharing our HC article on bookmarks management for your reference https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/188842.I do reckon that for a better management on your end and for practical purposes the ability to add a URL in the waffle would be beneficial and would like to encourage you to add this as a proposal for improving the Admin console though our Feature Ideas portal. In case you are interested in how you can do this I am also including additional information on this topic as well https://support.google.com/a/answer/6284762.I hope this information is of help.

[simpsonj]

Do you know which step proved the stumbling block? Whilst it's a bit of a hack, I have a waffle icon with the school's icon that, effectively, points to the school website.

 

That said, I do agree that a bookmark would be a sensible work around.