Microsoft continues to enhance its suite of productivity tools with new features and updates aimed at improving user efficiency and experience. This month (September 2024), several key changes are being introduced across Microsoft 365 applications, including Microsoft Word, Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new and what’s coming soon.
New Microsoft 365 updates, changes, and features
1. Microsoft Word: Acronyms feature retirement
The Acronyms feature in Microsoft Word will be discontinued on September 11, 2024. Users will no longer be able to access this feature from the References tab or the Editor pane. Instead, they can use the Search feature in Microsoft Office.com, SharePoint.com, or Bing for Work to find and decode acronyms. Additionally, Copilot in Microsoft Word can assist with decoding common acronyms.
2. Microsoft Teams: Simplified app installation
Microsoft Teams is introducing a streamlined app installation process, making it easier for users to add apps in chats, channels, and meetings with fewer steps. This update allows users to quickly find, install, and start using apps, enhancing overall efficiency.
3. Outlook: Scheduling Assistant updates
The Scheduling Assistant in Microsoft Outlook is being updated for improved readability and usability. Enhancements include clearer grid lines, a new Availability view, a combined Availability bar, and updated behavior for scheduling across multiple time zones. Users will also see a Send button directly within the Scheduling Assistant, making it easier to send invites without returning to the Event form.
4. Outlook: New “Account” Settings category
Outlook on the web now features a new “Account” settings category for improved usability. Key settings such as Automatic replies, Email signatures, Categories, Mobile devices, and Storage have been moved to this category, making them easier to find and manage.
5. SharePoint: New SharePoint News template
Microsoft SharePoint is simplifying News templates and adding automatic email sharing. Users will find all templates grouped together, and they can now share News posts as fully rendered emails instead of just links.
Upcoming Microsoft 365 features, changes, and updates
1. OneDrive: Improved search experience (October 2024)
An improved search experience is coming to OneDrive for the web, enabling users to find files more efficiently with new filters and a clickable location column.
2. Outlook: Copy meeting attendee responses to clipboard (October 2024)
Users will soon be able to copy a list of meeting attendees and their response status directly to their clipboard.
3. Microsoft Teams: New file image previews in messages (November 2024)
File image previews will be introduced, allowing users to see a small image of attached files such as JPGs, PNGs, PowerPoint presentations, and PDFs directly within the conversation stream.
4. Microsoft Teams: Meeting participants can choose a breakout room (November 2024)
Meeting participants will soon be able to select their own breakout rooms, enhancing flexibility and simplifying the breakout room experience.
Important dates to remember
- September 11, 2024: Retirement of Acronyms feature in Microsoft Word
- October 2024: Improved search experience in OneDrive and copy meeting attendee responses to clipboard in Outlook
- November 2024: New file image previews in messages and meeting participants choose a breakout room in Microsoft Teams
Microsoft 365 is introducing several updates and new features across its applications, including the retirement of the Acronyms feature in Microsoft Word, simplified app installation in Microsoft Teams, updates to the Scheduling Assistant and Account settings in Outlook, and new SharePoint News templates. Upcoming features include improved search experiences in OneDrive, new file image previews in Microsoft Teams, and the ability for meeting participants to choose their own breakout rooms.
The latest updates to Microsoft 365 applications are designed to enhance user productivity and efficiency. With the retirement of the Acronyms feature in Microsoft Word, streamlined app installation in Microsoft Teams, and updates to Outlook and SharePoint, users can expect a more intuitive and streamlined experience. Upcoming features in OneDrive and Microsoft Teams will further improve file management and collaboration capabilities. Stay tuned for these updates and continue to leverage Microsoft 365 to boost your productivity and workflow.
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