What’s New in Microsoft 365

Microsoft Word: The Acronyms feature will retire September 2024

The Acronyms feature in Microsoft Word will be retired on September 11, 2024. After
this date, you won’t be able to access or use the Acronyms feature from the References
tab or the Editor pane. Instead, you 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 help with decoding common acronyms. If you have questions or
need assistance, check out these support resources.

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Microsoft Teams: Streamlined Process for Installing Teams Apps

Microsoft Teams is introducing a simplified app installation process, making it easier
for users to add apps in chats, channels, and meetings. With fewer steps, the new
process allows users to quickly find, install, and start using apps, enhancing overall
efficiency. Apps can now be added with a single click, and for those that work across
different spaces, users can easily search for or select a relevant chat, channel,
or meeting. This streamlined experience is designed to make app integration more intuitive
and user-friendly.

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. These updates
aim to streamline event scheduling and provide a more intuitive experience.

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.
To access these settings, simply go to the Settings (⚙️) icon and select “Account.”
This update aims to simplify how you manage your account and related preferences.

SharePoint: New SharePoint News Template

Microsoft SharePoint is simplifying News templates and adding automatic email sharing.
You’ll find all templates grouped together, and you can now share News posts as fully
rendered emails instead of just links. These changes are designed to enhance your
experience when creating and sharing News pages.

Coming Soon to Microsoft 365

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. Once
rolled out, users will be able to filter search results by file type, date modified,
and easily switch between My Files, All Files, Current Folder, and Current Document
Library.

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
(attending, declined, or no response) directly to their clipboard. Previously, users
could view attendee responses but couldn’t copy them. With this update, simply go
to the Tracking section in the meeting invitation to easily copy the attendee list
and their statuses for quick reference or sharing.

Microsoft Teams: New File Image Previews in Messages (November 2024)

With the upcoming update, file image previews will be introduced, allowing you to
see a small image of attached files such as JPGs, PNGs, PowerPoint presentations,
and PDFs directly within the conversation stream. This feature helps you quickly identify
and preview file content without having to open or download the file. Simply upload
or share a file, and you’ll see a preview that you can click to view the full file.
If multiple images are attached, you can easily navigate between them. Note that image
previews will not be shown for confidential files or if you lack access.

Microsoft Teams: Meeting Participants Choose a Breakout Room  (November 2024)

Meeting participants will soon be able to select their own breakout rooms. This feature
allows participants to view the list of available breakout rooms and choose which
one to join, making it easier to move between rooms and coordinate sessions. Organizers
can enable this option when setting up breakout rooms, and it will be available on
Teams for Windows, Mac, and the web. This update will enhance flexibility and simplify
the breakout room experience for all participants.

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