What's new in Microsoft 365?
Here you can find the latest brand new features and updates coming to Microsoft 365.
Last updated: October 2024
Microsoft are continually updating and improving Microsoft 365, ensuring it responds to the needs of an ever-changing workplace. With so much information out there, it can often be tricky to keep up with all of the new updates and features. To simplify this, we've put all of the biggest and best updates and news in one place!
All information here has been collated from Microsoft.com blogs or the Microsoft 365 roadmap.
What's new in Microsoft 365 October 2024?
A look at the biggest and best new features, updates, and changes that have been announced for Microsoft 365 this October.
Microsoft Copilot: Support for languages released in Microsoft 365 Copilot
During October, Microsoft have rolled out support for an additional 12 languages in Microsoft 365 Copilot:
Bulgarian, Croatian, Estonia, Greek, Indonesian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Serbian (Latin), Slovak, Slovenian, and Vietnamese.
Following this, Microsoft 365 Copilot now supports a total of 42 languages.
Microsoft Excel: Focus Cell feature
A Focus Cell feature has been announced for Microsoft Excel.
It will improve the visibility of the active cell within a sheet. Showing the active cell better, increasing the border thickness, and highlighting the corresponding row and columns.
It will improve identification of data and ease of use.
Currently in Beta testing, this will roll out soon!
Microsoft OneNote: New pens added to the Draw tab
Two new pens have been added to the Draw tab in OneNote on Windows. Along with updated pen icons for a fresh new look.
The new Fountain Pen allows you to make thinner lines, with more detailed lettering. While the new Brush Pen is more artistic.
Take a look at them in action on the Microsoft 365 Insider Blog:
Microsoft Outlook: New Themes announced for Web and Windows
There will be four new themes to Outlook for Windows and the Outlook Web App.
Releasing in November 2024, the themes will be modern, bringing more personalisation and expression to your email environment.
Microsoft Teams: Queues app generally available
The Queues app is designed to make managing call queues easier. It's for anyone in your organisation who deals with customers, even if they’re not in a typical call centre.
Microsoft have given the example of IT teams, who can easily handle support calls, fix issues, and offer smooth support to employees with the Queues app. Sales, customer service, and admin teams will also benefit from Queues: enabling the use of the collaborative features within Teams to manage customer calls.
Now generally available! You can read more here:
Queues App Generally Available | Microsoft.com
Microsoft Teams: Quicker file previews with inline preview
Rolling out at the end of the year, users will be able to review a file shared in chat and channels, right in the flow of work. All you need to do is select ‘preview’ and scroll through the content - all without leaving the chat or channel!
Microsoft Teams: Name pronunciation
You can record and share the correct pronunciation of your name, a great way to both promote inclusivity and help colleagues avoid any awkward mispronunciations. You can play and listen to your colleagues' name pronunciations too.
Microsoft Teams: Private moderator replies
Moderators will be able to answer questions from specific attendees without displaying the reply to the other participants. Rolling out in November 2024, this feature will be particularly helpful for sensitive questions, personal inquiries, or follow-up discussions that are not intended to be broadcast to the entire audience.
What's new in Microsoft 365 September 2024?
A look at the biggest and best new features, updates, and changes announced for Microsoft 365 in September 2024.
Microsoft Copilot: Wave 2 announced, promising some big changes
Led by CEO Satya Nadella and Corporate VP for AI at Work, Jared Spataro, Microsoft held a live LinkedIn event on September 16th to announce Wave 2 of Microsoft 365 Copilot. Wave 2 is set to evolve Copilot in 3 main ways: Copilot Pages, Copilot Agents, and Copilot in even more 365 apps.
You can read our full run down of everything announced for Wave 2 of Copilot on our blog:
Microsoft Outlook: Improved UX for Dictate feature
An improved user experience is coming for Dictate in the new version of Outlook for Windows and Outlook for the web. Giving users the ability to pause and resume dictation, change the dictation settings, and view help articles to troubleshoot any issues.
Microsoft OneNote: Updates to the new Sticky Notes feature
Updates have been announced to the newly launched Sticky Notes feature of OneNote. Including access via a new option on the start menu, a 'pin to top' feature, and the ability to copy a note.
Read about these, and more, via Microsoft's Tech Community:
Microsoft Teams: A new Network Strength icon to understand strength of your network
This new feature will allow users to quickly understand the strength of their network, along with suggestions to conserve bandwidth.
Especially helpful for those who are experiencing networking issues.
New in Microsoft 365 August 2024
Take a look at the most exciting Microsoft 365 updates from August 2024.
Microsoft Copilot: Automatic prompt suggestions
Releasing in Copilot from September 2024, Copilot will automatically suggest prompts to help enhance your productivity. Providing relevant and context-aware prompts based on previous interactions.
Microsoft Copilot: Draft videos with Clipchamp
Rolling out from September, Clipchamp and Copilot are combining to bring users seamless video creation.
Just type your prompt and Clipchamp will write a bespoke script, source high quality stock footage, and create a video project. All with the power of AI and Clipchamp combined. Complete with music, voiceover, text overlays and transitions.
A really exciting update!
Microsoft Copilot: Reports Showing Suggested Candidates for Copilot Licenses
Rolling out this month, admins of Copilot will see a brand new column added to the Readiness section of the Microsoft 365 Copilot Usage report. It will show suggested candidates for Microsoft 365 Copilot based on real-life activity. This is intended to help admins with licensing decisions by quickly identifying users who are in a strong position to get the most value from Microsoft 365 Copilot based on their relevant Microsoft 365 app usage.
Microsoft Outlook: Ability to see who is in the office
Outlook are rolling out the "always on" ability to see who is currently in the office.
It will be pinned on the top-right corner of the Calendar in new Outlook for Windows and web. Available from October 2024.
Microsoft Viva: Viva Engage is getting Verified Answers
Experts and admins in Viva Engage will soon be able to mark answers to questions as 'verified answers', signalling a credible and accurate answer. Questions with verified answers will receive their own special verified label and badge at the top of the question and on the verified answer. Designed with the aim of helping to enhance the trust of knowledge in Viva Engage.
Preview coming in November with General Availability in December.
Microsoft Teams: All teams and channels view
Microsoft Teams are rolling out a new ‘your teams and channels’ view, providing one centralised hub where people can see all teams and navigate to channels from one page. It has been designed to streamline workflows, enabling you to quickly access and manage your teams and channels.
Microsoft Planner: New Microsoft Planner app for the web
There is a new Microsoft Planner app!
Available for the web from October, the new app will offer a single, unified work management experience assisted by AI.
It has been designed by Microsoft to bring together the simplicity of Microsoft To Do, the collaboration of Planner, and the power of Microsoft Project into one experience.
New in Microsoft 365 July 2024
Browse through the biggest and best Microsoft 365 news, updates, and features announced in July 2024.
Microsoft Designer: Brand new ways to get creative
Many changes announced to Microsoft Designer to improve usability and offer even more ways to boost creativity.
From a new free mobile iOS app, through to brand new features and a new homepage experience.
Read the full blog:
New ways to get creative with Microsoft Designer | Microsoft.com
Microsoft Outlook: Improvements to the 'Sort' and 'Filter' buttons
To improve usability on Outlook for Web and Outlook for Windows, the Sort and Filter buttons will now be separate buttons in the Message List. It will make it easier to change the 'Sorted by' and the 'Filtered by' values separately.
Microsoft Outlook: Fonts support on Outlook for iOS and Andriod
Following feedback from Microsoft 365 users, Microsoft are now adding support for fonts in Outlook for iOS and Android. Rolling out from September, you will be able to choose fonts when composing emails.
Microsoft Teams: Mute notifications on channel posts
You now have the option of turning on or off notifications for a specific channel post. Giving users yet another way to personalise notifications and minimise distractions!
Microsoft Teams: Upload custom emojis for use across your org
From now, users can upload custom emojis for use across the organisation. Helping to personalise conversation and encourage expression.
Microsoft Viva: Community Experts coming to Viva Engage
A new Community Experts feature is coming to Viva Engage, to enhance the trust of knowledge experts within your Engage communities.
Experts will be able to endorse accurate and credible answers, as well as be recognised as community experts with a special label next to their name. Allowing you to easily find and identify knowledge experts.
Microsoft Viva: Generate Pulse summaries with the power of Copilot
You can now combine Microsoft Viva Pulse with the power of Microsoft Copilot.
Receive an AI-generated summary of your results from a Viva Pulse report. Saving time, and allowing you to seamlessly share results with team members.
Microsoft Viva: New question types are coming to Viva Pulse
A number of new question types are coming to Viva Pulse including matrix types, and leverage enhanced logic. It is hoped this will drive more targeted survey experiences for respondents.
Microsoft Word: Easier editing of tables coming to Word for Web
Improvements are coming to Word for the web. Allowing users to edit tables faster and more efficiently with a smoother experience, and fresh new look.
Read more via Microsoft 365 Insider:
New in Microsoft 365 June 2024
Read the Microsoft 365 news, updates, and features announced in June 2024.
Microsoft Copilot: Immediately start writing with prompts in Word
On blank documents, Copilot in Word will now provide one-click examples of prompts straight away. Helping you to quickly going on your document.
Rolling out from June.
Microsoft Copilot: Rewrite SharePoint pages with Copilot
Rolling out from July 2024, users can leverage Copilot to revise existing text on SharePoint pages or news posts. Within just seconds, they can use the AI tool to adjust the tone, review the material, make it more concise or expand it, and even auto-rewrite the text. Making content more engaging.
Microsoft Copilot: Writing Coaching in Word
Rolling out in July, you will be able to get AI-powered coaching on your writing.
Copilot will review the writing and offer suggestions for high-impact areas, such as logical structure, flow, and tone.
Microsoft Forms: New and improved experienced
A simpler, and more modern interface is coming to Microsoft Forms.
Along with the modern update, users will be able to toggle between upgraded templates and then view insights and suggested actions when the responses come in.
Coming from July 2024.
Microsoft Teams: Toggle notifications on/off for a post
Coming soon, Microsoft Teams users will be able to opt in or out of receiving notifications for certain posts.
Microsoft Teams: Hide inactive channels
Coming in July, there will be a way to easily keep your list of channels relevant. Allowing for a cleaner and more seamless user experience.
Teams will automatically detect inactive channels based on those you haven’t interacted with in a while - and then automatically hide them for you.
To maintain your own levels on control over your Teams environment, you have the option to review the list of channels and unhide some or all of them, opt out of automatic hiding from settings, or initiate this process on demand.
New in Microsoft 365 for May 2024
Explore the Microsoft news, updates, and features announced throughout May 2024.
Microsoft Copilot: Copilot in Forms helps improve response rate
Copilot in Forms already has some impressive capabilities, allowing you to create engaging surveys and quizzes in moments through prompts.
Now, Copilot will assist Forms users even more, by recommending the best distribution channels and settings for sending forms or quizzes.
This includes leveraging email, social media, and QR codes to maximize responses.
Microsoft Copilot: Customise Outlook with AI-generated themes
Set for release in July, you will soon be able to customise Outlook thanks to AI. With themes generated by Copilot.
More information will be released in the coming weeks.
Microsoft Outlook: New and improved reading pane for meetings
Rolling out from June 2024, the Reading Pane will have a new and improved Meeting Details card when the Outlook conversation is part of a meeting.
It has been designed this way to provide a more efficient and modern RSVP flow.
Microsoft Outlook: New RSVP options
Two new settings are coming to Outlook, which look set to improve user experience when responding to meeting invitations. There will soon be an option to not delete an invitation email after RSVPing, with another setting to auto-decline if the attendee's calendar shows as busy.
Available from July 2024 in the new Outlook for Windows and web.
Microsoft Outlook: Permissions notifications for OneDrive and SharePoint files
Rolling out soon, this handy new feature helps ensure everyone in your email can open the file you are trying to share.
When you add a OneDrive or SharePoint file to an email, Outlook will notify you if anyone doesn't yet have permissions. Allowing you to update those before sending your email, making sharing even more seamless.
Microsoft Teams: Preview of files in Chats and Channels
Being able to seamlessly share documents like Word files, PowerPoint presentations, or PDFs is one of the huge benefits of Microsoft Teams. Soon, you will be able to see a thumbnail image of the file you are sharing in Chats and Channels. Allowing you to preview the file’s content without opening it.
Microsoft Teams: Rename the General Channel
This one has been a long time coming!
Microsoft announce that you will soon be able to rename the General channels in Teams, as part of "efforts to bridge the gaps between general and other channels."
It can be renamed by the team owner, or member (if they have permissions), to show up in the teams and channels list in alphabetical order.
Microsoft Teams: 'Files' to become 'Shared' in Chats
A small change to the Teams UI, the 'Files' tab in a Teams chat will become ‘Shared’.
Showing all the files and links that have been sent in the chat, making it easier to find them- all in one place.
Microsoft Viva: Explore the cost of meetings with new Viva Insights feature
Leaders will soon be able to gain a better insight into the true cost of meetings thanks to this new Viva Insights feature.
They will be able to access a new report that shows how their team invests time in meetings. Similarly, individuals will have improved meeting review insights in the Viva Insights app, with new nudges in Outlook to encourage them to be thoughtful when creating high-cost meetings.
New in Microsoft 365 for April 2024
The latest Microsoft news, updates, and features announced in April 2024.
Microsoft Copilot: Prepare for Meetings in Outlook
When you have an upcoming meeting, Copilot will show a "Prepare" button in your inbox. This will help to quickly provide context for the meeting including showing a summary and any relevant files.
Microsoft Copilot: Create a new document based on existing files
The draft "Draft with Copilot" feature will allow you to create a new document, based on up to three files that already exist. More information available on the Microsoft 365 roadmap:
Microsoft Copilot: Find the perfect visuals with Copilot and Designer in Word
Copilot in Word now integrates with Designer. Helping you find the perfect image or create a banner to bring your document to life. General availability June 2024.
Microsoft Forms: Pre-filled fields for responders
Rolling out in April 2024, users of Microsoft Forms will soon be able to send respondents a form with some fields already filled in. It has been designed to simplify respondent experience and improve data accuracy.
Microsoft Teams: Chat for organisers and presenters in Teams webinars
A new feature is coming to help improve the effectiveness of webinars. Allowing organisers and presenters to chat privately in a separate chat from attendees. It will be available to access before, during, and after the webinar.
Rolling out from June 2024.
Microsoft Teams: Drag the presenter toolbar
Have you ever tried to share your screen only for the Presenter Toolbar to get in the way? Well - you're in luck! Microsoft are finally introducing the ability for presenters to freely drag the Presenter Toolbar that appears on top of screen while screensharing.
New in Microsoft 365 for March 2024
Here you can find the latest Microsoft news, updates, and features for March 2024.
Microsoft Clipchamp: Remove backgrounds of images
Users of Microsoft Clipchamp will soon be able to remove a background from an image using AI.
Preview available in April with roll out set for July 2024.
Microsoft Clipchamp: Support for work accounts on the desktop app
The updated Clipchamp desktop app will soon allow support for work accounts. Users of Clipchamp for work will be able to access the video editor in the app without using a browser.
Microsoft 365 administrators will have the ability to control if their users are able to access both Clipchamp for work and Clipchamp for personal accounts via the app or only Clipchamp for work.
Rolling out starting May 2024.
Microsoft Copilot: Integrations with Viva Learning
Copilot is coming to Viva Learning. Previewing and rolling out later in the year, it will ac as a virtual learning companion. Assisting users through their learning journey and providing personalised guidance and recommendations.
Microsoft OneDrive: View hidden files and folders
Quickly access files and folders you have previously hidden.
Navigate to the “Shared with you” view in OneDrive for Web and click on the 'Hidden' button in the filter bar. You can also 'Unhide' files and bring them back to the 'Shared with you' view.
Rolling out in March 2024.
Microsoft Outlook: Start a Teams chat directly from an email message
Coming soon to the new Outlook for Windows, users will be able to start a Teams chat directly from an email message. Either with the sender or all of the recipients in the email. The Teams chat will open in Outlook, so users can chat and continue their workflow directly within their Outlook window.
Microsoft Outlook: Updated work hours and location experience
Coming to the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook for Web, users will soon have a new and improved experience for viewing work location and hours.
Click on your work location icon at the top of your calendar to change your work location, view who else will be in the office, or receive suggestions to help optimise your work day.
You will also be able to update your location from Teams, which will stay in sync with Outlook, and be reflected across Microsoft 365.
Microsoft SharePoint: Section level content align
Good news for SharePoint admins as Microsoft announce Section Level Content align. Allowing authors to centre and bottom align all of the webparts in a single section. Ideal for creating more visually appealing content.
Microsoft Viva: Create more than one Connections experience per tenant
You will soon be able to create multiple Connections experiences within Microsoft Viva, with corresponding home sites within the same tenant.
This might be particularly useful for large conglomerates or organisations with subsidiaries that require different Connections experiences for different users. Each experience comes with its own dashboard, feed and resources.
New in Microsoft 365 for February 2024
Here you can find the latest Microsoft news, updates, and features that were announced in February 2024.
Microsoft Bookings: New homepage experience
Microsoft announce a new homepage experience is coming to Microsoft Bookings. Helping to make it easier to book meetings with your customers, clients, and colleagues.
Microsoft Clipchamp: Audio improvements
New and improved audio features in Clipchamp to help elevate the possibilities of video creation in the platform.
Microsoft Copilot: Integration with Microsoft Forms
Microsoft announce integrations between Microsoft Copilot and Forms.
Describe the form you need with a prompt, and Copilot will generate a form from scratch, based on your description. You can do this in a matter of moments, making it a huge time-saving feature.
Microsoft Publisher: Retiring Publisher in 2026
Microsoft announce that Publisher will reach its end of life in October 2026. It will no longer be included in Microsoft 365 after that time, and it longer be supported.
Microsoft Viva: Topics to be retired
Microsoft announce that Viva Topics will be retired on February 22, 2025. Microsoft will not be investing in any new feature development for Viva Topics going forward from February 2024.
New in Microsoft 365 for January 2024
Here you can find the latest Microsoft news, updates, and features for January 2024.
Microsoft Copilot: Addition of a Copilot key coming to new devices
Microsoft have announced the addition of a Copilot key to brand new Windows 11 PCs. Marking the first major change to the layout of Windows PC keyboard since the Windows key was added almost 30 years ago.
Microsoft Copilot: Available for purchase with any licence
Microsoft have announced that Copilot is now generally available for all individuals, enterprises, and anyone in between. The 300 lisence minimum has been removed.
Microsoft Copilot: Include AI generated document summary
Copilot will allow you to share an AI-generated document summary when you choose to share a Word document with other users. Giving more context around what is in the document, without the time commitment for the document owner.
Microsoft Copilot: Notepad is getting a Cowriter feature
Notepad is the next Microsoft programme to get AI super powers. Cowriter will be a generative AI assistant, helping to create content in Notepad depending on the prompts given to it by users.
Microsoft Education: Reading Coach made available to everyone
Bringing the power of reading to more people, Microsoft announce that the standalone version of the Reading Coach app is available to everyone. No subscription required.
Microsoft Stream: Video reactions are coming
Following the rollout of 'reactions' features across Teams, Word, and Outlook, Microsoft announce that they are now coming to Stream too. Viewers will be able to express feelings towards videos, and see how their other colleagues feel about content.
Microsoft Teams: 'Calm' for Microsoft Teams
The top wellness and meditation app in the world, Calm, now has a Microsoft Teams integration! With mindfulness content to help you feel relaxed, productive, and connected. Improve your mental health in the workplace with a library of more than 3,000 Calm sessions within Teams.
Microsoft Teams: Decorate your
Microsoft vow to 'make meetings more fun and personal' with the new Decorate your background feature. People can now use generative background effects in Teams, helping you to create a brand new background. Even if the space you’re working from isn’t at its best. Uses the power of AI, available for users with a Teams Premium license only.
Microsoft Teams: Hide 'General' channels
People will soon be able to hide the 'General' channels within Teams. Helping to improve focus and highlight the channels that matter most to you.
Microsoft Teams: Forward Chat messages
Microsoft roll out a forward feature for Microsoft Teams messages.
Share a message with another colleague by right clicking the message and selecting “forward” or by clicking the “…” on the message and then “forward”. Helping us all to get work done quicker.
This page is updated regularly. Please check back for more.