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DocuPoint Radar - SharePoint Online

Keeping track of updates to SharePoint Online

Microsoft Enforces Stricter Custom Script Controls

SharePoint
Security

From September 15, 2025, Microsoft enforced stricter controls on custom scripts. DenyAddAndCustomizePages set to true by default. No new classic publishing sites.

Microsoft enforced stricter custom script controls across SharePoint Online starting September 15, 2025. Classic publishing site creation was also blocked.

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Key Facts:
Enforcement date: September 15, 2025
DenyAddAndCustomizePages: Set to true by default for all sites
Classic publishing: New classic publishing sites can no longer be created
Workaround deadline: PowerShell workarounds available until March 15, 2026
Impact: Custom scripts disabled unless explicitly allowed

Organizations relying on custom scripts or planning new classic publishing sites must adapt. The PowerShell workaround (Set-SPOSite -DenyAddAndCustomizePages $false) remains available until March 2026, but Microsoft recommends migrating to modern development approaches using SPFx.

Sources: C# Corner · MacroView

By Ulrich Bojko

AI-Generated Audio Briefings for SharePoint News in Viva

SharePoint
AI
copilot
Viva Connections

Microsoft Viva introduced AI-generated audio briefings for SharePoint news in Viva Connections in August 2025. Requires Microsoft 365 Copilot license.

Microsoft Viva introduced AI-generated audio briefings for SharePoint news in Viva Connections on August 28, 2025.

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Key Facts:

Users can listen to news summaries instead of reading, useful for catching up during commutes or when multitasking. The AI generates natural-sounding audio from SharePoint news posts.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

Viva Amplify Reduces SharePoint Publishing Limit from 10 to 5

SharePoint
Viva Amplify

Microsoft Viva Amplify reduced the SharePoint publishing limit from 10 to 5 sites in August 2025 to improve performance and reliability.

Microsoft Viva Amplify reduced the SharePoint publishing limit from 10 to 5 sites in August 2025.

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Key Facts:
Previous limit: 10 SharePoint sites per publication
New limit: 5 SharePoint sites per publication
Reason: Performance and reliability improvements
Workaround: Split large distributions into multiple publications

Organizations using Viva Amplify to publish content to multiple SharePoint sites should review their distribution strategies. Content can still reach broader audiences through other channels like Teams and Outlook.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint Libraries Get New Automated File Actions

SharePoint
automation

SharePoint libraries gained new document processing rule actions in August 2025: copy file to, move file to, and set content type. Up to 15 rules per library.

SharePoint libraries gained new document processing rule actions in August 2025, expanding automation capabilities without requiring Power Automate.

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Key Facts:
New actions: Copy file to, move file to, set content type
Limit: Up to 15 rules per library
Availability: Users with edit permissions
Trigger: Rules execute when files are added or modified

These new rule actions enable common file management scenarios directly within SharePoint, reducing the need to build separate Power Automate flows for basic document routing.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

Access SharePoint Content via @mentions in Teams Channels

SharePoint
Teams
AI
copilot

SharePoint agents in Microsoft Teams Channels let users access and summarize SharePoint content via @mentions without leaving Teams. Rolled out August-September 2025.

SharePoint agents in Microsoft Teams Channels enable users to access and summarize SharePoint content via @mentions, rolled out globally in August-September 2025.

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Key Facts:
Rollout: August-September 2025 (global)
Access method: @mention the SharePoint agent in Teams channels
Capabilities: Access and summarize SharePoint content
Benefit: No need to leave Teams to find SharePoint information

Users can ask questions about SharePoint site content directly in Teams conversations without navigating away. The agent provides AI-generated summaries and answers based on connected SharePoint sites.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint Spaces 3D Feature Fully Retired

SharePoint
retirement

SharePoint Spaces, the 3D immersive experience feature introduced in 2018, was fully retired on August 11, 2025. Users can no longer view, edit, or create spaces.

SharePoint Spaces was fully retired on August 11, 2025. All Spaces content is no longer accessible.

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Key Facts:
Full retirement: August 11, 2025
Impact: Users cannot view, edit, or create Spaces
Content: All existing Spaces are inaccessible
Replacement: Microsoft Mesh (requires Teams Premium license)
Timeline: Disabled by default March 10, activations blocked May 15

Organizations that did not export or document their Spaces content before the deadline have lost access to those virtual environments. Microsoft Mesh is positioned as the successor for immersive experiences but requires Teams Premium licensing.

Sources: Microsoft Support · MC1002417

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint eSignature Now Works with Word Documents

SharePoint
eSignature

Microsoft's native eSignature service now integrates with Word documents, not just PDFs. Request signatures directly from Word via the Insert ribbon.

SharePoint eSignature expanded to support Word documents in July 2025, eliminating the need to convert documents to PDF before requesting signatures.

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Key Facts:
Format support: Word documents (.docx) in addition to PDFs
Access: Request signatures via Insert ribbon in Word
Output: Signed PDF auto-generated and stored in same location
Cost: $2 per signature request (pay-as-you-go)
Integrations: Works with DocuSign and Adobe Acrobat Sign

Custom free text fields allow signers to add additional information beyond just their signature. Signed documents automatically save to the original folder location. The feature integrates with third-party signature providers for organizations already using DocuSign or Adobe.

Sources: Microsoft Tech Community · MC1059671

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint Site Headers and Footers Get Modern Refresh

SharePoint
design

SharePoint updating site headers and footers for a more modern, customizable experience in July 2025. New design options for site owners and cleaner view mode.

SharePoint began updating site headers and footers in July 2025, introducing a more modern and customizable experience.

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Key Facts:
Rollout: July 2025
For site owners: New design customization options
For viewers: Cleaner view mode experience
Scope: All modern SharePoint sites

The update modernizes the look and feel of SharePoint sites while giving site owners additional control over header and footer content and styling.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

Cloud Hybrid Search SCS Component Retired

SharePoint
hybrid
retirement

Search Content Service (SCS), an internal component of Cloud Hybrid Search, was retired June 30, 2025. Organizations must upgrade to SharePoint Server SE 25H1 to continue using Cloud Hybrid Search.

The Search Content Service (SCS) component of Cloud Hybrid Search was retired on June 30, 2025. Organizations using hybrid search must upgrade their on-premises infrastructure.

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Key Facts:
Retirement date: June 30, 2025
Affected: SharePoint Server 2016/2019 hybrid configurations
Required action: Upgrade to SharePoint Server SE 25H1 or later
Without upgrade: Limited to Hybrid Federated Search only
Reonboarding: Requires PowerShell script to reonboard Cloud SSA

Cloud Hybrid Search allowed on-premises content to appear in SharePoint Online search results. Organizations still running SharePoint Server 2016 or 2019 lose this capability unless they upgrade to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition 25H1. Federated Search remains available as a fallback but provides a degraded experience.

Sources: Microsoft Learn · Directions on Microsoft

By Ulrich Bojko

New AI-Powered FAQ Web Part for SharePoint

SharePoint
AI
copilot

Microsoft SharePoint introduced a new dynamic web part for FAQs powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot in June 2025.

SharePoint introduced a new dynamic FAQ web part powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot in June 2025.

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Key Facts:
Powered by: Microsoft 365 Copilot
Type: Dynamic web part
Capability: AI-assisted FAQ generation and management
Requirement: Microsoft 365 Copilot license for AI features

The web part can automatically generate and maintain FAQ content based on site content, reducing manual maintenance for knowledge bases. Non-Copilot users see static FAQ functionality.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint Now Displays PDF Table of Contents

SharePoint
PDF

SharePoint and OneDrive users can now display a table of contents if a PDF already has one, allowing users to jump directly to locations in the PDF.

SharePoint and OneDrive now display the table of contents for PDFs that have one, added in June 2025.

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Key Facts:
Requirement: PDF must contain an embedded table of contents
Functionality: Click to jump directly to sections
Location: PDF viewer in SharePoint and OneDrive
Benefit: Faster navigation in long documents

The feature improves navigation in long documents without requiring users to download the file. The TOC appears in a sidebar when viewing PDFs in the browser.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint News Posts Now Show Estimated Read Time

SharePoint
News

SharePoint added estimated read time to News posts in June 2025. Available on web and Microsoft Viva Connections app in Teams.

SharePoint added estimated read time to News posts in June 2025, helping readers gauge content length before clicking.

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Key Facts:

The feature mirrors common blog and news site conventions, giving readers immediate context about time investment before opening an article.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

New "View and Upload" Permission for Anyone Links to Folders

SharePoint
OneDrive
sharing

Admins can now configure a "View and upload" permission for Anyone links to folders in OneDrive, providing more granular control over content access.

OneDrive admins can now configure a "View and upload" permission for Anyone links to folders, introduced in June 2025.

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Key Facts:

This new permission level allows external users to view folder contents and upload new files without being able to modify or delete existing content. Useful for collecting files from external parties while protecting existing documents.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

Add Text or Image Watermarks to PDFs in SharePoint

SharePoint
PDF

OneDrive and SharePoint now allow users to add text or image watermarks to PDFs. Customize position, formatting, and transparency.

OneDrive and SharePoint added the ability to add text or image watermarks to PDFs in June 2025.

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Key Facts:
Watermark types: Text or image
Customization: Position, formatting, transparency
Location: OneDrive and SharePoint document libraries
Use case: Document protection, branding, draft marking

Users can apply watermarks directly within the browser without downloading files or using external tools. This is useful for marking documents as drafts, confidential, or with company branding.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint Page Analytics Gets Long-Term Data and New Metrics

SharePoint
analytics

SharePoint Page Analytics upgraded with long-term data retention, distribution channel breakdowns, new metrics, export options, and redesigned interface.

SharePoint Page Analytics received a major upgrade in May 2025, adding long-term data retention and new metrics for understanding page performance.

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Key Facts:
Data retention: Long-term historical data now available
New metrics: Distribution channel breakdowns, audience calculation
Export: Data export options added
Interface: Redesigned analytics dashboard

The upgrade provides deeper insights into how pages are discovered and consumed. New audience calculation features help content owners understand who is actually viewing their pages.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint Gets Centralized Template Gallery with 50+ Templates

SharePoint
templates
design

New Template Gallery provides centralized hub to discover, preview, and apply over 50 Microsoft-provided templates plus custom creations. Categories include HR, communications, and project management.

SharePoint introduced a new Template Gallery in May 2025, providing a centralized hub to discover, preview, and apply page templates.

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Key Facts:

The gallery makes it easier to find and apply consistent page designs across an organization. Templates can be previewed before applying, and administrators can curate which templates are available to users.

Sources: Microsoft Tech Community · Super Simple 365

By Ulrich Bojko

Custom Agents Deployment to SharePoint Now GA

SharePoint
AI
copilot

The ability to deploy custom-built agents to SharePoint reached general availability on May 20, 2025.

The ability to deploy custom-built agents to SharePoint reached general availability on May 20, 2025, enabling organizations to embed AI assistants directly into their SharePoint sites.

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Key Facts:

Custom agents can be built using Copilot Studio and deployed to SharePoint sites where they provide context-aware assistance based on site content. This marks a significant step in Microsoft's AI integration strategy for SharePoint.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint Sites Get Multi-Color Themes via Brand Center

SharePoint
branding

Site owners can now apply multi-color themes using Site branding or the organization's Brand Center. Eight new out-of-the-box themes with up to 16 color pairs each.

SharePoint introduced multi-color themes in May-June 2025, allowing richer visual customization through the Brand Center.

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Key Facts:
Availability: Worldwide environment (not available in GCC/GCC High/DoD)
New themes: Eight new out-of-the-box themes included
Color pairs: Each theme supports up to 16 color combinations
Application: Colors appear in header, footer, section backgrounds, text editor
Access: Site branding settings or organizational Brand Center

Multi-color themes provide more design flexibility than the previous single-accent-color approach. Site owners can apply themes without admin assistance, while Brand Center allows organizations to create and distribute custom branded themes across all sites.

Sources: M365 Admin · MC1062451

By Ulrich Bojko

Create Custom Quick Steps from SharePoint Automate Menu

SharePoint
Power Automate
automation

SharePoint users can now create customized quick steps from the Automate menu for common tasks like composing emails, starting Teams chats, and setting column values.

SharePoint users can now create customized quick steps from the Automate menu, enabling one-click execution of common tasks.

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Key Facts:

Quick steps reduce repetitive manual work by bundling common actions into single-click operations. Users can create custom quick steps tailored to their specific workflows without building full Power Automate flows.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

New Resume Repository Template for Document Libraries

SharePoint
templates
AI

New "Resume repository" document library template introduced in April 2025 for organizing resumes and streamlining hiring. Includes autofill columns for extracting resume details.

SharePoint introduced a new "Resume repository" document library template in April 2025, designed for organizing resumes and streamlining hiring workflows.

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Key Facts:

The template uses AI to automatically extract and populate metadata from uploaded resumes, reducing manual data entry for HR teams. This is part of Microsoft's push toward intelligent document processing in SharePoint.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint eSignature Gets Faster PDF Signing

SharePoint
eSignature

SharePoint eSignature received a significant performance update in April 2025, simplifying the process of requesting eSignatures on PDF documents.

SharePoint eSignature received a significant performance update in April 2025, simplifying and accelerating the process of requesting eSignatures on PDF documents.

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Key Facts:
Rollout: April-May 2025
Improvement: Faster signature request process
Format: PDF documents
Cost: $2 per signature request

The update reduces friction in the document signing process, making SharePoint's native eSignature service more competitive with dedicated signing platforms.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

Viva Connections Feed Replaced with SharePoint News Experience

SharePoint
Viva Connections

Microsoft Viva Connections in Teams replaced the Feed with a SharePoint News experience in March 2025. Includes Copilot-powered summary feature for licensed users.

Microsoft Viva Connections in Teams replaced the Feed with a SharePoint News experience in March 2025, providing a more integrated news consumption interface.

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Key Facts:
Change: Feed replaced with SharePoint News
Location: Viva Connections in Teams
New feature: Copilot-powered summary (Windows desktop, licensed users)
Benefit: Consistent news experience across SharePoint and Teams

The update aligns the Viva Connections experience more closely with SharePoint's native news capabilities. Users with Microsoft 365 Copilot licenses can access AI-generated summaries of news content.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

New Table Toolbar Replaces Table Styles in Text Web Part

SharePoint
editing

SharePoint introduced a new Table toolbar for the text web part in March 2025, replacing Table Styles. Includes merge, split, and add space features.

SharePoint introduced a new Table toolbar for the text web part in March 2025, replacing the previous Table Styles functionality.

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Key Facts:
New features: Merge cells, split cells, add space between cells
Replaces: Table Styles
Availability: SharePoint and Viva Amplify
Location: Text web part editing experience

The updated toolbar provides more intuitive table editing directly within SharePoint pages. Users can now perform common table operations without switching to external editors.

Sources: HANDS ON SharePoint

By Ulrich Bojko

Personal Pages Creation Retired from SharePoint Start

SharePoint
retirement

Microsoft retired the ability to create personal pages from SharePoint Start (Preview). Existing pages remain but cannot be moved by users.

Microsoft retired the ability to create personal pages from SharePoint Start (Preview) in March-April 2025. Existing personal pages remain accessible but have limited management options.

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Key Facts:
Creation disabled: March-April 2025
Existing pages: Remain accessible but cannot be moved by users
Admin option: Use `Copy-SPOPersonalSitePage` PowerShell cmdlet to move pages
Alternative: Create pages connected to SharePoint sites instead

Personal pages were a preview feature that allowed users to create pages without associating them with a specific site. Microsoft recommends creating pages within SharePoint sites going forward for better manageability and governance.

Sources: M365 Admin · MC1018344

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint My Feed Web Part Removed

SharePoint
retirement

The My Feed web part was removed from the toolbox on March 12, 2025, and stopped surfacing content on April 14, 2025. No extension available.

Microsoft retired the My Feed web part in March-April 2025. Existing instances stopped working with no migration path.

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Key Facts:
Removed from toolbox: March 12, 2025
Stopped working: April 14, 2025 (shows error message)
No extension: Microsoft did not offer any delay
Alternatives: News, Viva Engage, File and Media, or Highlighted Content web parts

The My Feed web part aggregated personalized content from across Microsoft 365. Organizations using it on pages or sites needed to replace it with alternative web parts before the April deadline. The News web part provides similar functionality for organizational announcements.

Sources: M365 Admin · MC1000266

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint Spaces 3D Feature Begins Retirement

SharePoint
retirement

SharePoint Spaces 3D immersive experience disabled by default March 10, 2025. Microsoft recommends Microsoft Mesh as replacement (requires Teams Premium).

SharePoint Spaces, the 3D immersive experience feature, began its retirement phase in March 2025. The feature was disabled by default starting March 10, 2025.

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Key Facts:
Disabled by default: March 10, 2025
New activations blocked: May 15, 2025
Fully retired: August 11, 2025
Replacement: Microsoft Mesh (requires Teams Premium license)
Action required: Export or document any Spaces content before full retirement

Organizations that invested in SharePoint Spaces for virtual experiences must migrate to Microsoft Mesh. Note that Mesh requires Teams Premium licensing, representing an additional cost for organizations that had free access to Spaces functionality.

Sources: Microsoft Support · MC1002417

By Ulrich Bojko

Lists Forms Get Notifications, Scheduling, and Conditional Branching

SharePoint
Microsoft Lists

SharePoint Online updated Microsoft Lists forms with notifications, form scheduling, conditional branching, and new field types including attachments, images, and lookups.

Microsoft Lists received a major forms update in February 2025, adding conditional logic, scheduling, and expanded field types.

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Key Facts:
Conditional branching: Show/hide questions based on previous answers
Form scheduling: Set start and end dates for data collection
Notifications: Get notified when forms are submitted
New field types: Attachments, Image, Location, Lookup
Access model: Form users do not need access to underlying list

Forms can now be created directly from Lists home, SharePoint sites, or Teams. The conditional branching feature enables survey-style forms where follow-up questions appear based on responses. Form scheduling is useful for time-limited data collection like event registrations.

Sources: Microsoft Tech Community · MC1005510

By Ulrich Bojko

SharePoint Pages Get Flexible Sections for Dynamic Layouts

SharePoint
design

New section type allows web parts to be moved anywhere on a 2D grid, resized, overlapped, and grouped. No more strict column structures.

SharePoint introduced Flexible Sections in January 2025, allowing web parts to be positioned anywhere on a 2D grid rather than strict column layouts.

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Key Facts:
Feature: Web parts can be resized, overlapped, and grouped freely
Templates: Over 50 section templates available
Mobile behavior: Overlapped elements stack vertically on mobile
Developer support: SPFx v1.21 adds flexible layout configuration
Limitation: Not all web parts support all resize options

Flexible sections enable more creative page designs without custom development. Site owners can create magazine-style layouts, overlapping content blocks, and asymmetric designs. SPFx developers can configure how their web parts behave in flexible layouts via manifest settings.

Sources: Microsoft Tech Community · PnP Blog

By Ulrich Bojko