Push Gmail signature to users?

[ddelboccio]

Do we have a way to push a common Gmail signature file template to a group (or OU) of users via the Admin Console?  Or is there some 3rd party add-on that does the same?

[icrew]

Check out the thread at https://groups.google.com/g/google-apps-manager/c/jXiLkd8I1vg/m/4Dpwo_bTEwAJ?pli=1

[Justin_W]

This link doesn't work for me

"Content unavailable"

[icrew]

I'm not sure why that link doesn't work--I just checked it in a couple of browsers, and both in normal and incognito mode. Works fine as far as I can see. Try https://github.com/taers232c/GAMADV-XTD3/wiki/Users-Gmail-Send-As-Signature-Vacation#manage-signatur... for the documentation of the same feature.

[Justin_W]

Thanks.  I'm nto sure either -maybe it's pointing to a "Group" I'm not a member of?

Anyway, safe to assume it's talking about using GAM?  I think GAM is likely the best no-cost 3rd party option.  We pay for Bettercloud so we use that, but are looking to switch to GAT in the future because we use little of Bettercloud's features to justify the costs.

[panderson]

the Group is Gam for Google Workspace, 

Here is a link that Kim Nilsson shared

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hPOsuh5_45ysdDkFVxjITpDomY7GOWUSpeg3AuUOxqo/view?tab=t.0

[Justin_W]

Thanks.  Indeed, I'm not a member of that group so may be why I can't view it.

But I can view the document you shared. 🙂

The GAM (GAMADV-XTD3) route may indeed work just fine for folks - and as always, offers a ton of power and flexibility for those willing/able to master it.

But, like may CLI based DIY tools, there's a learning curve and time sink that many won't want to deal with.  That's where I'd recommend a 3rd party tool.  But, of course, those aren't free. 

Now, Bettercloud(the tool I use) isn't worth it *just* for Signatures (it does a bunch of other things), but it's what I have to share for comparison:

1. In Bettercloud, click on Tools-Signature. 
2. Click to use one of their sample templates, your own existing template, or start from scratch.
   1. If creating/editing template, you get a built-in editor with pre-made variables and a WYSIWYG preview feature.  This makes getting your design/html much easier.
3. Click continue and select who you want to apply the template to (user, group, or OU)
4. Wait for sync. Done.

Beats 7+ pages of documentation of unforgiving syntax commands.

But yeah, if you've already got GAM sorted  - or intend to - that's likely the best route.  Getting familiar with it can provide a whole lot of additional functionality that may be of great value beyond just signatures. 

[Kim_Nilsson]

Thank you, @panderson 

Yeah, I'm quite proud of that document, @ddelboccio

A lot of thought went into that guide.

How to set nicely formatted signatures on staff users currently without signatures

You will learn a lot about gam while reading it, @Justin_W. 🙂

[Justin_W]

Don't think there's any way to do it native Gmail tools.  You technically have the "footer" that could be used, but it's lacking in any real customization features.

https://apps.google.com/supportwidget/articlehome?hl=en&article_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsupport.google.com...

We use 3rd party tools (and even those are limited for what should be a common, basic tool to any email solution for the past couple decades...)

[npl]

Like Justin_W we use the Footer as option as a common signature on all mail found under 

Apps

Google Workspace

Settings for Gmail

Compliance

This can be set on an OU level and is is easy to setup and I would recommend creating one at the top Student OU if not creating it for the whole domain.

[Justin_W]

Yeah, we use the "footer" for our legal disclaimer, since it's the same for everyone.

For signature, since we wanted it specific to each person, the Footer wouldn't work. 

[dhalvorsen]

We currently use this too, but there is an issue with it I need to get straightened out.  My predecessor set it up with an image which was through a image hosting site which somehow worked.  I'm trying to replace that image with one through Google Drive which has "anyone with a link can view".  Instead of displaying the image, I get your standard broken image icon.  Does anyone know why I cannot attach an openly shared picture from Google Drive?

[Justin_W]

I do remember there was some trick to getting the image ref to work if you hosted in Drive.

Let me see if I can find it...

[dhalvorsen]

Any luck?  It looks like the problematic image host that it was on now decided to scrap our image, so it's broken until I find a way to get an image back in.  I would like to do it properly through Drive if at all possible.

[dhalvorsen]

Ha!  So right after I posted this I thought to myself about the trick to get a horizonal rule into an email.  Then I dropped the image into a doc, copy and pasted it into the admin console, added the link, and it looks like it works fine.  Why is it that sometimes the easiest answer is the right one...  Anyway, they should improve the interface for adding a photo to the append footer setting.

[Justin_W]

I agree the interface is lacking...

Why there isn't a simple "Signature" feature within a paid, business/Edu Workspace account for Gmail is a mystery to me.  Email signatures are standard, common, and have been around for decades.  The whole "legal disclaimer" thing is *not* a real alternative for most people.

[Justin_W]

I can't find the specific article I had once used.

Perhaps this one is useful?

https://www.labnol.org/google-drive-image-hosting-220515/

As I look at it now, we moved our off Drive.  I'm not sure if that was because it was inconsistent, or if there was some other reason.

Also some discussion here - maybe there's something useful?

Sorry I can't be of more help here.

We chose the easier(for us) solution: hosted off Drive.

[LaurieB]

A couple of Applications come to mind:

BetterCloud: https://www.bettercloud.com/

ToogleBox: https://www.tooglebox.com/