October 2023 update of Power Automate for desktop

Power Automate for desktop comes with new additions in 2023 October’s release, including the introduction of four new cloud connectors, the simulation of some UI automation actions in the background, and the ability to edit the values of additional variable types during debugging.

Deeper control over HTTP invocation of flows

HTTP request trigger is a frequently used functionality that helps customers integrate Power Automate with other systems. This allows a flow to be started based on an HTTP call. Today, we are introducing OAuth support for HTTP request triggers for deeper control on what applications and users can invoke such automations.

Support update for Business Connectivity Services in Microsoft 365

SharePoint has a long history of helping users work with external data inside the SharePoint user experience, starting with the Business Data Catalog feature in SharePoint Server 2007. As SharePoint has evolved into a cloud-first service, so too have the options for customers that wish to integrate with external data sources. To simplify these options and provide the best experience for these scenarios going forward, Microsoft is announcing its plan to retire Business Connectivity Services (BCS) in Microsoft 365 and focus on Microsoft Power Apps as its replacement technology.


 


Impacted features and scenarios


 


All Business Connectivity Services features will be retired in SharePoint in Microsoft 365. This includes features that such as:


 



  • External lists

  • External columns

  • External content types

  • Business Connectivity Services hybrid solutions


 


Recommended replacement technology: Microsoft Power Apps


 


Microsoft encourages customers to explore using Power Apps to replace their Business Connectivity Services solutions in SharePoint in Microsoft 365. Although there’s no direct migration from Business Connectivity Services to Power Apps, it supports a modern, cloud-first external data connectivity experience. Power Apps can integrate with a variety of Microsoft 365 services and external data sources through its extensible connector technology, including SharePoint, Dynamics 365, SQL Server, and others. It also supports integrating with on-premises data sources through the on-premises data gateway.


 


To learn more about Power Apps, see the links in the “More information” section.


 


Retirement schedule


 



  • October 2, 2023: Retirement announcement and customers can proactively set a property to block Business Connectivity Services features within their tenant.

  • October 30, 2023: Microsoft will begin blocking Business Connectivity Services features based on the tenant property set by the customer.

  • January 8, 2024: Microsoft will block Business Connectivity Services features in new Microsoft 365 tenants by default, as well as in tenants who haven’t used the feature since October 30, 2023.

  • September 30, 2024: Business Connectivity Services is fully retired in Microsoft 365.


 


Block Business Connectivity Services features within your tenant


 


Starting today, customers can prepare for the Business Connectivity Services retirement by setting a property that will block this feature in their tenant. This will ensure that users within your tenant won’t start using this feature if it isn’t already in use.


 


Customers should only set this property once they’ve confirmed there’s no business need to use the Business Connectivity Services features. Customers can confirm Business Connectivity Services usage by following these instructions:


 



  1. Go to More features in the SharePoint admin center, and sign in with an account that has admin permissions for your organization.

    Note: If you have Office 365 operated by 21Vianet (China), sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center, then browse to the SharePoint admin center and open the More features page.


  2. Under BCS, select Open.

  3. On the BCS Home Page, select Manage BDC Models and External Content Types.

  4. In the View dropdown selector, select each of views including BDC Models, External Systems, and External Content Types. Confirm that no BDC models, external systems, or external content types have been added.

  5. Return to the BCS Home Page and select Manage connections to online services.

  6. Confirm that no connections have been added.

  7. Return to the BCS Home Page and select Manage connections to on-premises services.

  8. Confirm that no connections have been added.


To proceed with setting the property that will block this feature, tenant administrators can download and launch SharePoint Online Management Shell version 16.0.24120.12000 or higher and then run the following commands:


 


Connect-SPOService -Url https://<tenant>-admin.sharepoint.com
Set-SPOTenant -BusinessConnectivityServiceDisabled $true

SharePoint in Microsoft 365 will begin blocking features based on this tenant property on October 30, 2023.


 


Blocking Business Connectivity Services in new tenants by default


 


Starting January 8, 2024, Microsoft will block Business Connectivity Services in new tenants by default by automatically setting this property to true in those new tenants. In addition, Microsoft will also set this property to true on existing tenants who haven’t used the Business Connectivity Services feature since October 30, 2023.


 


Customers who wish to re-enable Business Connectivity Services within their tenant may do so by setting this property to false as follows:


 


Connect-SPOService -Url https://<tenant>-admin.sharepoint.com
Set-SPOTenant -BusinessConnectivityServiceDisabled $false

Note that re-enabling Business Connectivity Services in your tenant isn’t recommended unless you have a specific need.


 


Business Connectivity Services is retired in Microsoft 365


 


Starting September 30, 2024, Business Connectivity Services will be retired in Microsoft 365. Its features will no longer be available and cannot be re-enabled through the Set-SPOTenant PowerShell cmdlet. This applies to all environments including Government Clouds and Department of Defense.


 


Impact to SharePoint Server


 


This announcement has no impact on Business Connectivity Services in SharePoint Server.


 


This feature will remain supported in SharePoint Server 2016 and SharePoint Server 2019 until those products reach their end of support date of July 14, 2026.


 


Microsoft has no plans to retire Business Connectivity Services in SharePoint Server Subscription Edition at this time. Deprecation and removal announcements for SharePoint Server Subscription Edition are announced in the What’s deprecated or removed from SharePoint Server Subscription Edition article.


 


Summary


 


Microsoft remains committed to our customers’ digital transformation by providing modern approaches to integrate with external data. By leveraging Power Apps as the platform for these scenarios, customers will gain modern capabilities not only in SharePoint, but in other Microsoft 365 services as well.


 


More information


 


For more information about Power Apps and its integration capabilities with external data sources, see:


 


What is Power Apps?


What is an on-premises data gateway?


Scenarios for integrating SharePoint with Power Apps


Overview of connectors for canvas apps


 


Link to this announcement: https://aka.ms/sp-bcs-retirement

September 2023 update of Power Automate for desktop

Power Automate for desktop comes with new additions in 2023 September’s release, including the introduction of new SharePoint actions, a new action on work queues, as well as three brand new connectors.

365 EduCon – Chicago | Event guide

365 EduCon – Chicago | Event guide

365 EduCon – Chicago, October 30 – November 3, 2023. 365EduCon.com/Chicago365 EduCon – Chicago, October 30 – November 3, 2023. 365EduCon.com/Chicago



  • What: 365 EduCon – Chicago (2023) (in-person only) — A Microsoft 365 conference


  • When & where: October 30 – November 3, 2023| McCormick Place South, Chicago, IL

  • Content: 1 Microsoft keynote and 1 AMA | 150+ overall sessions – 25+ Microsoft-led sessions (see all below) | 28 full and half day workshops

  • Presenters: 69 Event Presenters | 13 Microsoft Speakers

  • Twitter & hashtag: @365EduCon #365EduCon

  • Cost: Multiple options between $525 – $2,575 USD

    • Register Now and save | Use the Microsoft Community discount code Microsoft for 25% off new conference registrations, or MSGroup for a 30% discount when three or more people from your company register.




 


365 EduCon – Chicago brings together the leading experts in Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Power Platform, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Graph, and Azure. Whether you’re a newcomer to these technologies or an experienced power user, administrator, or developer — offering a diverse range of sessions and workshops tailored to your level of expertise and specific interests.


 


“The sessions I attended gave me inspiration and ideas on what to change – very well done and extremely educational.” – Previous 365 EduCon attendee


 


The combined whole of the event brings together a stellar lineup of industry-leading experts, including Microsoft MVPs, Microsoft Regional Directors, Microsoft MCTs and Microsoft Engineers, who will share their invaluable insights and best practices. Prepare to be inspired as these gurus delve into the latest trends, strategies, and innovations that shape the Microsoft 365 landscape and walk away with actionable knowledge that you can apply directly in your organization.


 


Microsoft keynote, AMA, and breakout sessions


 


Microsoft Keynotes and AMA


“Flexible, AI-Powered Work” with Liz Sundet and Mark Kashman – both from Microsoft | Wednesday, November 1st | 8:30am – 9:40am CT | Room S105bcd



  • Abstract: The platform shift to AI is well underway. Just as customers turned to Microsoft to help them make the shift to remote and flexible work, they’re now turning to us to help them understand how this new era of AI will change work yet again. Learn how AI transforms work. Understand how Microsoft 365 can be your end-to-end solution spanning durable trends impacting teamwork, organizational productivity, and employee wellbeing. Join Liz and Mark – product leaders from Microsoft – as they highlight news and demos across Copilot, Teams, Viva, SharePoint, OneDrive, Lists, and more. Kick off 365 EduCon – Chicago to understand the strategy and vision – clarity on where Microsoft is taking productivity into the future.


Liz Sundet (Senior Customer Experience Manager – Microsoft) and Mark Kashman (Senior Product Manager – Microsoft), will lead the “Flexible, AI-Powered Work” opening keynote to kick off the event.Liz Sundet (Senior Customer Experience Manager – Microsoft) and Mark Kashman (Senior Product Manager – Microsoft), will lead the “Flexible, AI-Powered Work” opening keynote to kick off the event.


Microsoft AMA + SharePint | Wednesday, November 1st, 2023, from 4:50pm – 6:50pm PT | Room S105bcd



  • Abstract: Got a burning question you just can’t yet find an answer to? This AMA is to be a lively live hour of Q&A – to ask questions and voice feedback – direct to the product teams across OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Viva, Syntex, Yammer, Power Platform, and more. And then enjoy pizza and casual networking with all. You’ll come in scratching your head and leave with a head full of answers, and maybe a belly full of ‘za.

  • Your Q&A panelists:  Liz Sundet, Cathy Dew, Michelle Gilbert, Heather Newman, Harysh Menon, Marc Mroz, and Mark Kashman (MC).


Microsoft AMA + SharePint (Wednesday, Nov. 1st from 4:50pm – 6:50pm CDT) - Your chance to ask Microsoft product leaders questions and GET answers. Panelists – top-left-clockwise: Mark Kashman, Liz Sundet, Cathy Dew, Michelle Gilbert, Marc Mroz, Harysh Menon, and Heather Newman.Microsoft AMA + SharePint (Wednesday, Nov. 1st from 4:50pm – 6:50pm CDT) – Your chance to ask Microsoft product leaders questions and GET answers. Panelists – top-left-clockwise: Mark Kashman, Liz Sundet, Cathy Dew, Michelle Gilbert, Marc Mroz, Harysh Menon, and Heather Newman.


All Microsoft-led sessions


Take the opportunity to select the sessions best suited for your role and interests. All breakouts are packed with news, demos, customer stories, best practices, and insights into product and solution strategy. You can review all sessions – including the Microsoft-led sessions (listed below in this guide). We will keep everything up to date as there are still a few more to publish:


 


Copilot, OneDrive, SharePoint, Syntex, and Stream [sessions – all times in CDT]



 


Power Platform [sessions – all times in CDT]



 


Diversity and Inclusion [sessions – all times in CDT]



  • D&I “Leadership” with Heather Newman and Liz Sundet | Nov. 1  at 2:50 PM | South Concourse Lobby, ATE, Collab Studio

  • D&I “Mentorship” with Heather Newman and Liz Sundet | Nov. 2 10:10 AM | South Concourse Lobby, ATE, Collab Studio


 


Microsoft Teams [sessions – all times in CDT]



 


Microsoft Viva [sessions – all times in CDT]



 


Data and Power BI [sessions – all times in CDT]



 


Register today! [Note: Use Microsoft for 25% off]


 


Plus, a few fun ‘non-tech, evening things’ in Chicago, IL during the event



 


Plus, a good resource to see all the good entertainment and cultural activities: Chicago Reader.


 


Learn more about Microsoft and the event


Visit 365EduCon.com/Chicago and follow the action on @Twitter: @365EduCon, @SharePoint, @OneDrive, @MSPowerPlat, @MicrosoftViva, and @MicrosoftTeams.


 


I hope you will join us in Chicago for what will be a fantastic week! I am looking forward to the action alongside the community, MVPs, and Microsoft product members from Teams, Office, SharePoint, OneDrive, Loop, Syntex, Viva, Power Platform, Lists, Project, Exchange, and more. 


 


Register Now | Use the Microsoft Community discount code Microsoft for 25% off new conference registrations.


 



 


Cheers,


Mark Kashman, Senior product manager – Microsoft 

Maximize your productivity in Excel with Power Automate

The new “Automate work” button in Excel Online, powered by Power Automate, has made it easier than ever to automate tasks and run processes efficiently from anywhere. This feature extends the capabilities of Power Automate by providing access to pre-built templates and allowing users to build workflows quickly and easily within Excel Online. This button replaces the “Automate a Task” button in Excel Online. Previously, the “Automate a Task” button only allowed users to select templates for Office Scripts, which would then take them to the Power Automate portal to build a flow. But now, with just a few clicks, you can automate repetitive tasks, reduce errors, and boost productivity, all without ever leaving Excel!

Introducing the Power Automate plugin for ChatGPT

The Power Automate Plugin for ChatGPT allows you to create and run flows directly from within ChatGPT. Use the new Skills connector and Run from copilot connector to author flows that can be called from ChatGPT that leverage the over 1000+ connectors in Power Automate.