February 2025
Overview
Enhancements across Microsoft 365 include new user-created cards in Viva Connections, the Copilot Visual Creator powered by Clipchamp, updates to Forms in Microsoft Lists, improvements to SharePoint document libraries, enhanced Microsoft Lists link functionality within Teams chats and channels, preview capabilities for SharePoint Pages, the introduction of personal Loop workspaces, the retirement of SharePoint spaces, and additional updates.
Microsoft Viva Connections: New user-created cards
Roadmap ID: 472021
The Viva Connections Dashboard is designed for employees, offering enhanced customization capabilities. Users will soon be able to create personalized link cards that connect to various tools and destinations within the dashboard.
To add a user-created card, individuals can navigate to the Viva Connections dashboard, select "Customize," add a Quick Links card, configure it with a title, image, and relevant links, and then save the dashboard.
Video creation in Copilot Visual Creator powered by Clipchamp
Roadmap ID: 402192
Clipchamp enhances Visual Creator in Copilot, enabling seamless video creation. Simply enter a prompt, and Clipchamp will generate a tailored script, curate high-quality stock footage, and assemble a complete video project with music, voiceover, text overlays, and transitions.
This initial draft can be refined further within the Clipchamp app before exporting it as an MP4 file, automatically saved to OneDrive for easy sharing via a link. Whether you’re crafting informational videos, messages, tutorials, demos, or presentations, Clipchamp streamlines the process.
Note: The video creation tool does not generate original video clips, animations, images, or audio. Instead, it utilizes content from existing Microsoft 365 service asset libraries, ensuring enterprise-compliant stock media for your projects.
Microsoft Lists: Forms updates
Roadmap ID: 124865
Microsoft Lists Forms has received a significant v2 update, enhancing data collection and management capabilities. New features include subscription-based notifications, form scheduling, conditional branching for tailored responses, quick form creation, and expanded field-type support.
Users can now create forms directly from Lists home, SharePoint, and the Lists app in Microsoft Teams, streamlining the process. Conditional branching ensures respondents see relevant questions based on previous answers. Additionally, forms can be customized with logos for a more professional appearance, and new field types—such as Attachments, Image, Location, and Lookup—are now supported.
Other improvements include response notifications and scheduling options, allowing users to set specific start and end dates for form submissions.
SharePoint: Updated document libraries, especially when in Edit mode
Roadmap ID: NIL
Recent enhancements to SharePoint document libraries leverage improvements from Microsoft Lists, delivering enhanced performance and functionality in grid view editing.
Users can now enjoy improved editing within grid view for Choice, Person, and Image fields, along with better scrolling in large libraries—eliminating the need for pagination when exceeding 100 documents. New navigation and commands, such as creating new items and clickable document titles, further streamline workflows.
Additional updates include a redesigned Properties pane and an intuitive right-click menu, providing context-aware actions like Open, Edit, Share, and Delete. Furthermore, rating columns—whether star ratings or "likes"—offer an improved experience for viewing and updating ratings.
Improved Microsoft Lists links in Teams chats and channels.
Roadmap ID: 419812
Microsoft Teams now enhances collaboration with improved link previews for Microsoft Lists, making shared links more informative and visually distinct.
Links to Lists, list items, and forms now display richer details, including titles and paths, helping users quickly recognize specific content types within Teams chats and channels. Updated resolution features include graphical icons differentiating individual list items, Lists forms, and full lists, streamlining navigation.
Additionally, senders can manage permissions for shared links, enabling recipients to view or edit Lists content directly from Teams. This enhancement minimizes the need to switch between applications, improving workflow efficiency on both Windows and Mac desktops.
New preview mode for SharePoint Pages and News posts
Roadmap ID: 473452
SharePoint introduces a new Preview mode, allowing users to see how Pages and News posts will appear across different device types before publishing.
While editing, users can access the Preview button in the command bar to view their content in audience mode. Pages can be previewed on both Desktop and Mobile, while News posts also support an email preview for Desktop and Mobile inbox views. This feature ensures content is optimized for various viewing experiences before finalizing and sending.
Microsoft Loop – New personal Loop workspace
The Loop app now offers a personal workspace for all users, integrated with Copilot Pages. Each workspace operates as a user-owned SharePoint Embedded container, with governance, lifecycle management, and compliance processes aligned with OneDrive. Meanwhile, the existing Ideas workspace will transition into a shared Loop workspace since it is not user-owned.
For administrators, policies are available to manage workspace creation, including configuration options for storage and access. Relevant details can be found in the provided admin resources.
Retirement: SharePoint spaces
Roadmap ID: NIL
Microsoft is retiring the SharePoint Spaces feature due to limited usage and a shift in focus toward Microsoft Mesh investments. Originally designed to provide immersive, mixed reality experiences for intranet users, SharePoint Spaces allowed for interactive content visualization and real-time data manipulation.
The retirement process will occur in stages:
- 10 March 2025: Spaces will be turned off by default, but users can still access and enable the feature for existing sites.
- 15 May 2025: Users will no longer be able to enable Spaces for new sites, though previously enabled sites will remain functional.
- 11 August 2025: Full retirement—users will no longer be able to view, edit, or create new Spaces.
As an alternative, Microsoft recommends transitioning content to SharePoint Pages, which continue to evolve as a dynamic and engaging way to present information.
Moving from Skype to Microsoft Teams
Roadmap ID: NIL
Microsoft is retiring Skype in May 2025 to streamline its free consumer communication offerings and focus on Microsoft Teams (free version).
Teams provides many of the core features Skype users are familiar with, including one-on-one and group calls, messaging, and file sharing, while also introducing enhanced capabilities such as meeting hosting, calendar management, and community-building.
Skype users will soon be able to sign into Teams using their Skype credentials, automatically bringing over chats and contacts for a seamless transition. Alternatively, users can export their Skype data—including chats, contacts, and call history—before Skype becomes unavailable on 5 May 2025.
The transition to Teams is simple and allows users to continue using Skype during the migration period. Microsoft acknowledges Skype’s role in shaping modern communications and is committed to supporting users through this change while providing new opportunities to stay connected via Teams.
Microsoft Publisher will no longer be supported after October 2026
Roadmap ID: NIL
Microsoft Publisher will be discontinued as part of Microsoft 365, with support ending on October 2026. Users are encouraged to transition to other Microsoft 365 applications, such as Word, PowerPoint, and Designer, which now support many common Publisher functions.
Before the retirement date, Microsoft recommends converting existing Publisher files to PDF or Word format, as they will no longer be accessible for editing or viewing in Publisher after October 2026.
