SharePoint Web UI Kit – New Figma web part components available (v2.2) and feedback requested

SharePoint Web UI Kit – New Figma web part components available (v2.2) and feedback requested

Am a keen follower of Microsoft's SharePoint Blog and proud to provide this direct from the Microsoft Tech Community:

Examples of new webparts added to the SharePoint Web UI Kit in the Figma Community.Examples of new webparts added to the SharePoint Web UI Kit in the Figma Community.


 


Our SharePoint Web UI kit in Figma has been updated with some great new additions! This update includes more web parts so you have more options when designing your SharePoint sites and pages. The new update (v2.2) includes: 


 


New web parts and page elements:



  • Page title 

  • Section header 

  • Divider 

  • Link 

  • Organization chart 

  • Stream 

  • Weather 

  • World clock 


 


Additional updates: 



  • Moved shared components to single location 

  • Re-organized templates section 




  •  


We are currently seeking feedback from both 1) those who have used the SharePoint Web UI Kit and 2) those who have not yet had the opportunity but have a need for this toolkit. Your input is highly valued and will help us improve the UI Kit. You can answer the anonymous survey here, which should only take 5 minutes to complete: https://forms.office.com/r/aduAA8jMN8


 


To get started with our updated UI kit, simply download the latest version from the Figma Microsoft Community website: SharePoint Web UI Kit – Figma. 


 


Why use the Figma SharePoint Web UI kit? 


Figma is a subscription-based application that is the industry standard tool for web design. It provides an alternative to designing sites and pages outside of SharePoint. Figma does not build the pages in SharePoint, so once you finalize a design in Figma, you will need to build it in SharePoint. You should evaluate if Figma is the right solution for mocking up sites and pages for SharePoint. 


 


Design without organizational limitations 


This UI kit provides SharePoint users with another tool in their toolbox. While building a page in SharePoint is easy, we wanted to provide the ability to mockup sites and pages. It allows you to explore different design options for your site without the limitation of admin privileges and tenant restrictions, and doesn’t expose organization data.  


Figma mockups provide a quick snapshot of SharePoint updates which business stakeholders can use to plan and make decisions. They can provide appropriate requirements and use this UI kit in collaboration with their design team to iterate in the life cycle of your organization’s intranet. 


 


Share designs with ease 


This UI kit provides you with page layouts and a selection of web parts to allow you to mockup and share new ideas across organizations and companies. Figma gives you the flexibility of reviewing and sharing your designs without having to spend time and resources creating it in SharePoint. Figma also allows you to download your designs into easy-to-use formats that can be used in documentation and presentations.  


Learn more at https://www.figma.com/  


 


Community feedback 


As mentioned above, please consider filling out our anonymous survey to share feedback from both 1) those who have used the SharePoint Web UI Kit and 2) those who have not yet had the opportunity but have a need for this toolkit: https://forms.office.com/r/aduAA8jMN8


We’d love to know what’s working for you and what you’d like to see next. Alternatively, you can leave a comment on the Figma SharePoint Web UI kit page or by visiting the SharePoint Community.  


We hope you enjoy our latest update and look forward to seeing what you create with it! 

The above is kindly provided by the Microsoft Tech Community!

Custom processing for invoice and document field types generally available

Am really keen on exposing PowerApps / Flow news - this was provided from Microsoft Flow. You can read out the full post available on this link:

https://powerautomate.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/custom-processing-for-invoice-and-document-field-types-generally-available/

 

We’re thrilled to share that AI Builder’s latest capabilities, which include automated custom invoice processing and the extraction of dates and numerical field types from documents, are officially available. These enhancements aim to streamline the configuration of bespoke AI models for automated data extraction from invoices and to enhance the precision of processing both structured and unstructured documents.

Introducing the new Microsoft 365 Document Collaboration Partner Program

Introducing the new Microsoft 365 Document Collaboration Partner Program

If you’re an independent software vendor (ISV) who provides a cloud communication and collaboration platform, you may want to offer customers a collaboration experience inside and outside meetings. That’s why we are excited to introduce the Microsoft 365 Document Collaboration Partner Program (MDCPP), a new opportunity for eligible platform providers to integrate Microsoft 365 apps into their platforms. Whether it’s a presentation, a spreadsheet, or a document, the program can enable users to share, edit, and coauthor, without switching between apps or losing context. 


 


By joining the program, you can enable customers on your platform to view, collaborate, and coauthor documents within Microsoft apps. In the past, we’ve provided these experiences to people within Microsoft Teams, and we’re excited to expand it into new platforms. In this blog post, we’ll explain how the program works, what benefits it offers, and how you can apply. 


 


What is the Microsoft 365 Document Collaboration Partner Program? 


The Microsoft 365 Document Collaboration Partner Program allows eligible communication and collaboration ISVs to integrate Microsoft 365 experiences into their communication and collaboration platforms. There are two options of the program available – a web app and live app option. 


 



  • The web app option allows ISVs to provide simultaneous collaboration and editing of documents integrated into their platform (outside of a meeting experience). This includes the ability to integrate Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents from SharePoint and OneDrive for Business. 
    evanw_1-1706914142076.png

     


     


The live app option builds on the web app option and adds additional meeting experiences optimized with features supporting an interactive and engaging experience with PowerPoint Live and Excel Live. With PowerPoint Live and Excel Live, meeting participants can interact and collaborate with the documents in real time. Presenters can also benefit from a rich presenter view, speaker notes, and presentation tools. 


evanw_2-1706914142079.jpeg


 


 


Zoom puts the program into action 


We’re excited to announce that Zoom is one of the first organizations to explore the collaboration options of the MDCPP program. 


 


“We are delighted to bring Microsoft 365 experiences to millions of people in Zoom. We can’t wait to see how our work together through this new program will empower our joint customers with these enhanced collaboration experiences.” 
-Aleš Holeček, Corporate Vice President, Office Product Group 


 


Zoom’s platform delivers limitless human connection. It is a leader when it comes to communication and collaboration, serving a diverse customer base from small businesses to large enterprises and government organizations that can benefit from this program. Zoom shares:   


 


“We are looking forward to collaborating with Microsoft on this initiative. Working on Microsoft 365 documents within Zoom has been a long standing ask from our shared customers. We are pleased to work together to address these customer needs.”  
Brendan Ittelson, Chief Ecosystem Officer, Zoom 
 


What are the benefits for ISVs? 


The program offers several benefits for ISVs. 



  • Enhance your platform with Microsoft 365 experiences that are familiar and trusted by millions of users. 

  • Provide your customers with collaboration and coauthoring experiences within Microsoft apps, regardless of the platform they are using. 

  • Save time and investment needed to create document collaboration experiences of your own. 


 


Who is eligible for the program and how to apply? 


To be eligible for the program, your company must be a cloud communication and collaboration platform provider. This means that your platform enables both online meetings and instant messaging and/or audio and video calling, as primary parts of a single business offering. You must also meet some other requirements, such as paying an initial fee and annual fees for cost recovery, maintaining certain levels of insurance coverage, and meeting the technical requirements for the integration. The program owners will discuss the detailed requirements with you if applicable. 


 


We look forward to welcoming more ISVs to the program soon. If you want to learn more about the program and how to apply, please visit the application page and register your interest. If qualified, we’ll contact you to discuss the program details, qualifications, and billing. 


 

January 2024 update of Power Automate for desktop

Am really keen on exposing PowerApps / Flow news - this was provided from Microsoft Flow. You can read out the full post available on this link:

https://powerautomate.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/january-2024-update-of-power-automate-for-desktop/

 

Power Automate for desktop comes with new additions in 2023 January’s release, including AI-suggested actions, the support of blank values, single sign-on and multiple new actions including Word dedicated ones.

Embark on a Seamless Journey to Microsoft 365 with Our Latest Enhancements to Migration Manager

Embark on a Seamless Journey to Microsoft 365 with Our Latest Enhancements to Migration Manager

Migration Manager is a powerful tool, hosted within the setup page of the Microsoft 365 admin center, that helps seamlessly transfer data from various sources, such as BOX, Google Drive, Dropbox, and file shares, to Microsoft 365. We’re excited to share some enhancements to Migration Manager to make migrations simpler, more seamless and more secure. 


 


Higher migration fidelity 


Migrating data across diverse platforms presents challenges, including preserving data fidelity and permission inheritance. These differences may result in data and permission loss during the migration process. 


 


The concerns have been significantly alleviated through expanded support for higher data fidelity and advanced permissions setting in Migration Manager. New enhancements now make it possible to migrate more scenarios with support for Google Forms migration, Google Sheets scan, advanced permission migration and Box Notes conversion. 


 


Google Forms Migration 


Surveys are a great way to collect feedback from others – from organizations looking to connect with their customers to people looking to plan events, and everything in between. Google Drive customers typically use Google Forms to meet their survey needs. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that Migration Manager now supports migrating Google Forms definitions and results to Microsoft Forms so that customers can preserve access to this important data on the Microsoft 365 platform. Migrated forms can be easily located in Microsoft Forms after migration. 


KB_Chen_0-1706030599564.png


 


 


Google Sheets Scan 


While migrating content from Google Drive to Microsoft 365, Migration Manager is already able to convert Google Sheets spreadsheets into Microsoft Excel documents. However, some features in Google Sheets are not directly compatible with Microsoft Excel, such as certain types of formulas and embedded links. These types of data may be lost during the conversion process. 


 


We’re now introducing the ability to identify incompatible formulas and invalid embedded links in Google Sheets during the migration scanning phase. When customers enable “Sheet scan” in the Migration Manager project settings, a deeper scan of Google Sheets will run during the general scan process. Customers can download the Sheet scan reports after the scanning is complete to review and mitigate the issues it identifies. The Microsoft 365 migration team will continue to explore further opportunities to preserve these types of data during the conversion process in the future. 


 


https://youtu.be/kjgfpZZXtJA 


Google Sheets Scan 


 


 


Advanced Permission Migration 


For most organizations, maintaining the correct permissions is a critical concern during any migration. Previously Migration Manager was able to support permissions applied at the folder level. However, this may not be sufficient for organizations that use more fine-grained permissions. Thanks to this customer feedback, we’re happy to announce that Migration Manager can now support permissions applied to individual files. Simply enable file-level permissions in the project settings to make sure migrated files are shared with the same users as before. 


 


https://youtu.be/V0o3Zwn_Oj4 


Advanced Permission Migration 


 


Box Notes Conversion 


To help you better migrate Box content, Migration Manager now supports the automatic conversion of Box Notes to Microsoft Word files during the migration process. 


 


Easier to use 


Moreover, you may often grapple with usability challenges during the migration journey. These usually include an intricate migration flow, perplexing reports, and limited customization options, among others. 


To tackle the challenges head-on, we’ve streamlined the migration flow, ensuring a smoother and more intuitive user experience. With the introduction of new features such as multi-project support, guided first run experience, a migration time estimator, and flexible migration filters, you will have a refined user experience that empowers you throughout the migration process. 


 


Multi-Project 


Manage multiple migrations from the same source to simplify your merger and acquisition scenarios. You can create up to 5 projects per source type and switch between projects with ease to maintain oversight of ongoing migrations.  


https://youtu.be/p65md6pVBM0 


Multi-Project 


 


Guided first run experience 


An overview page provides a guided tour of the migration process, making it easier for both new and experienced users to initiate and manage migrations. 


https://youtu.be/UuxMnb71pP8 


Guided first run experience 


 


 


To further simplify your migrations, we have introduced the following features: 


 



  • Estimated time to migrate: Support pre-migration / in-migration time estimation to help you plan your migration. 


         https://youtu.be/LHWYF5ZG5_U 


         Estimated time to migrate 


 



  • Filter migration content: Filter content for migration based on factors such as dates, file types, and invalid characters. 


         https://youtu.be/EGHEerTLwaQ 


         Filter migration content 


 



  • Report improvements: The reports are now simpler and more actionable so you can troubleshoot issues faster and expedite your migrations. 


         https://youtu.be/x4oG64lrEIw 


         Report improvements 


 



  • Task status refinement: Refine all scan/migration statuses and overview modules for a consistent and clear task status experience. 


         https://youtu.be/dfe3JS5IzCQ 


         Task status refinement 


 



  • EU Data Boundary compliance: As of April 1, 2023, all new EU scans and migrations are processed within the European Union in compliance with European Union Data Boundary (EUDB) regulations. 


 


Stay Tuned for What’s Coming 


We’re committed to continually improving Migration Manager as your trusted cloud migration service. Stay tuned for the latest updates here. 


 


We’re also interested in hearing your thoughts on migrating to Microsoft 365, so we’re planning to host an “Ask Me Anything” event soon. This will be a great opportunity to ask questions, share your feedback on existing features, and suggest new features you’d like to see directly with the product team. To sign up to receive more details about this upcoming event, please fill out this form: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/MUbyKybfuN 


 


In the meantime, feel free to share your questions or comments here. Your insights are valuable, and we look forward to engaging with you in further discussion. 


 


 


 

Microsoft 365 Admin Monthly Digest – Jan 2024

Microsoft 365 Admin Monthly Digest – Jan 2024

a banner depicting the title of the blog with tagline ”Your monthly IT admin blog for all things Microsoft 365”a banner depicting the title of the blog with tagline ”Your monthly IT admin blog for all things Microsoft 365”


 


Welcome to the Microsoft 365 IT admin blog, your monthly source of tips, insights, and best practices for managing and optimizing your Microsoft 365 environment. In this edition, we cover the upcoming AMA on Copilot for Microsoft 365, the latest enhancements to the Microsoft 365 mobile app and how admins can deploy it to support secure flexible work, and talk about the latest enhancements and updates relevant to Microsoft 365 admins including how admins can send Copilot feedback to Microsoft, and test connectivity of your tenant if you’re on 21vianet. 


 


Join the next AMA on Copilot for Microsoft 365 


We’ll be hosting the next AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Microsoft 365 Copilot on Wednesday, January 17, 9am PT, in the Copilot for Microsoft 365 Tech Community. The upcoming AMA will be focused on Copilot for Microsoft 365 and follow up on any questions you might have about it entering the new year. If you haven’t yet, consider joining and subscribing to the Copilot for Microsoft 365 Tech Community to stay updated on the latest news and events. We’re planning to bring more engagement and are planning events like subject-specific AMAs, Tech Accelerators, and more.  


 


You can send in your questions to the event page now, and a team of experts will join us to help answer them during the event


 


Securely enable flexible work patterns with the Microsoft 365 app 


As organizations continue to find balance in modern work, IT has also had to deploy digital tools and strategies that accommodate this while keeping their tenant safe and secure. The Microsoft 365 app is home to all your favorite productivity apps, providing a way for your users to access their work content from wherever they are. Sustained investments in the Microsoft 365 app have brought continued enhancements detailed here in this blog including the addition of Microsoft Copilot into the app. 


 


At a glance, new user interface improvements make it simpler to find, launch, and manage content. The app also helps users prioritize content needing action on the day, and now with the addition of Microsoft Graph connectors, can reach third-party content as well. Users can also access Microsoft Copilot through the Microsoft 365 app, allowing them to bring the productivity unlocked with generative AI anywhere. 


 


Learn more about mobility and security for Microsoft 365 here, including links to mobile app management.  


 


New Copilot for Microsoft 365 onboarding resources; Copilot availability for Education customers 


Microsoft recently made available a new email campaign template to help you onboard your users to Copilot for Microsoft 365. Available on our Copilot adoption site, you can download these email templates that include helpful tips and videos on how to get the most out of Copilot as an end user. In addition, we have helpful tools in-product, like Copilot Lab, that provides a repository of prompts to help get your users started. These are available through the prompt guide, just beneath any Copilot chat box. 


 


It was also announced in December that Copilot for Microsoft 365 will be available for Microsoft 365 A3 and A5 faculty for $30 per user per month with a 300-seat minimum per tenant. Furthermore, Microsoft Copilot with commercial data protection (formerly Bing Chat Enterprise) will be available to all faculty, staff, and higher education students age 18+ in early February. You can read the announcement here. 


 


Highlights across Microsoft 365 administration 


Let’s check out some of the latest features we launched in the Microsoft 365 admin center and how they can help you get things done.   


 


Enable and manage feedback from users on Copilot for Microsoft 365 


Diagnostic data has always been critical for product teams at Microsoft to triage customer feedback and escalations. Microsoft 365 has several policies to help admins manage feedback collected from users when using Microsoft 365 applications to not only keep you informed of what your users are experiencing, but also simplify how that feedback is passed on to Microsoft. Recent enhancements have also been made to allow you to include feedback on the last N interactions with Copilots on behalf of your users. To learn more about Microsoft feedback for you organization, check out this article. You can also view the policies to manage feedback and how to set them up in this document. 


 


Preview of Microsoft 365 connectivity test tool for Microsoft 365 operated by 21vianet 


For customers using Microsoft 365 operated by 21vianet, we recently announced the Preview of the Microsoft 365 connectivity test tool to help aid in the diagnostics and enhancement of your Microsoft 365 service. Already available to other Microsoft 365 customers, the tool helps provide a comprehensive report detailing connectivity performance along with actionable recommendations for optimization. You can also save the report as a PDF for dissemination amongst your peers, service providers, or directly to Microsoft for further assistance. For organizations with Microsoft 365 operated by 21vianet, you can access the tool here. For other Microsoft 365 customers, you can access it here instead. 


 


Stay updated 


As always, stay current with the latest updates on the Microsoft 365 admin center from the Microsoft 365 roadmap and the message center. To keep up with the latest on Copilot for Microsoft 365, consider joining our Copilot for Microsoft 365 Tech Community.  


 


Comment below if there are IT admin or change management topics you would like us to explore in future!