Recent Discussions
Link path update in Word fails for multiple fails in Office 2024
On my old PC i have created an excel file with data. I also have several doc and docx files on Word, that contain many links to the excel file. For each new project i have, I use this files as template and transfer them in a specific way to the new project's folder. Normally on my old PC with win 10 and office 2021 professional, for each of my projects i fill the project data in the excel file. After that I open the excel file, open the first word file and when it asks I click to update links at open. As soon as the update link bar at the bottom taskbar finishes I open the second word file, again update links in it and then the third file and so on. I do not close any files at that moment. After that I go into the opened excel file and click save as - to another location (my new project folder). This triggers in all open word files the system to begin update of all links paths. I wait some time (about 5-10 minutes) the update to finish an the word files to become responsive, and then I click -save as- for every word file and save it as a new file in the new project folder. This way worked for me - I had all the word files with updated links paths, linking to the new excel file for the new project. I moved to a new PC and recently installed windows 11 pro with Office 2024 LTSC. I transferred my word and excel files to a folder with the same name and path. And when i tried to do the same thing to create excel and word files for my new projects, it starts the procedure of updating link paths, but about half of the link paths finally are not updated in my word files! When i try with opening and updating and saving only 1 single word file, it works and updates all the link paths. But with multiple simultaneous word files it fails! I tried everything - trusted locations, different settings, even changing some registry. It was interesting that I managed to get it working 2 times. But immediately after that, without changing anything - it again was not working. I know i can do it manually - for every single link i have to choose the excel file - but imagine this for hundreds of links is too long. I can do it for a single word file, but i have to repeat it and wait for the word to become responsive - again very time consuming. This is not acceptable. I read this has something to do with the Office 2024 has changed the way to deal with links - it was synchronous in 2021 and olde, and now is asynchronous. The system gets something like timeout and does not finish the process or something. My question is how i can fix it? Or is there an option to choose between the two ways Office deals with links? Or is such an option coming out or should be planned for the next releases? This is the main part of my job and really troubles me. Now I am installing 2021 so i can do my job, but I really want to be using latest software and features. I appreciate your help and answers!
Can't access Microsoft Authenticator for business accounts
Hello. I am the tech support for a small church, where I am the admin for our MS 365 accounts, which are set up as "business accounts". I have been using Microsoft Authenticator for MFA for years. Recently I switched to a new phone and installed Microsoft Authenticator. All of my personal Authenticator accounts transferred over just fine, but all of the church's business accounts say "Scan the QR Code provided by your organization to finish recovering this account". The thing is, I am the "organization" and I don't know how to generate any QR code to recover the accounts. It was suggested that I could do something about this by logging into my Microsoft 365 administrator account, but when I try to log into my admin account, the only MFA option is "enter the code from Microsoft Authenticator". It's not offering a text or alternate email, only Microsoft Authenticator, which is what I'm locked out of. So I'm stuck in a loop. I opened a ticket with Microsoft Support nine days ago. I have received one phone call since then. The support person insisted that they needed to talk to the account's "alternate administrator", which I set up as my pastor, who is pretty computer savvy but not a deep IT person. They tried to call him one time, but he was not available to answer right then. There has been no communication since then. I'm hoping someone in this group can help me figure this out.Planner’s Newly Redesigned Interface
Microsoft has launched a redesigned user interface for the Planner app. The big news is the inclusion of task chat. Goals are also available, but only to people with a Microsoft 365 Copilot or Planner Premium licenses. Task Chat is a nice feature, and I am sure that it will be popular. UX redesigns often disappoint. At least this one offers new features. https://office365itpros.com/2026/02/27/planner-new-ux/
#Connect Error in Excel for StockHistory Function
Evening, I am an O365 subscriber and am trying to set up an Excel sheet as a VAR template, and I wanted to populate my workbook with some historical data without uploading a CSV. Figured I would try out the StockHistory function. I keep getting "#connect" for my cells, and I am not sure why. I am not in developer mode, do not have any crazy add-ins, I am signed in, and connected to the internet. Do I need to be connected to a source? I am fairly new to learning about the StockHistory Function. Any thoughts on the matter are welcome. I tried all that I could from this site below: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-to-correct-a-connect-error-584f7de9-b238-480c-8e8f-de0ba2c1aac9
Excel not publishing OLE
Excel no longer publishes any OLE clipboard formats in build 16.0.19725.20078. Copying a cell and using Paste Special in Word/OneNote shows no “Paste Link” and no “Microsoft Excel Worksheet Object.” Only text/HTML/bitmap formats appear. This blocks creation of linked or embedded Excel objects. Issue is fully reproducible: new workbook, enter value, copy, open Word → Paste Special. Expected: Paste Link + Excel object formats. Actual: missing. Verified after full repair, reinstall, Safe Mode, new profile, add‑ins disabled. Excel→Excel copy works; Excel→external OLE formats do not. This appears to be a regression in the OLE clipboard publishing pipeline for this build family.Extending Protection for Confidential SharePoint Online Files
Sensitivity labels offer great protection against unauthorized access, but sometimes files that aren’t encrypted escape from a document library. SharePoint Online can now use sensitivity labels configured with user-defined permissions (UDP) to extend protection to downloaded files. The magic works by configuring permissions on download based on the membership of the user who downloads a file. https://office365itpros.com/2026/02/26/sensitivity-label-extend-protection/
Macros open server file hyperlinks in 2nd instance
Macros open server file hyperlinks in 2nd instance, preventing macros from seeing and interacting with the newly opened file. Manual clicking of hyperlink opens the files in the same instance as expected. Users with fresh login have no trouble with the macros opening the files in the same instance. Esoteric macro and/or Microsoft 365 Active Directory problem. Macros using hyperlink in a cell to .follow them to open. Then the next line is a sheet selection of a sheet in the new workbook. Error thrown because the new workbook is not visible to the macro and does not see the sheet name. This works for everyone everywhere. Including on fresh logins. Recently User1 started having the 2nd instance problem. I thought it was isolated and fixed it by removing and recreating his profile. Worked fine for a week. Then it came back. Then User2 logged in on the same machine had the issue. Then the next day User3 on a separate machine had the issue. All 3 users have no issues if they just use a clean login on a different machine. If you manually open all the necessary files, THEN run the macro, it still errors because when it tries to open the already-open-file, it gives the standard Read only Notify me Cancel dialogue. It says [self user] is using it and the file is locked. So is it even a macro problem or is it a server problem? Our server admin says it's not his problem and he has no idea what's happening and it's probably our crappy macros. Yes, our macros are crappy, recorded decades ago. But they work as expected except in these rare but spreading cases, seemingly due to some background environment development.
How to public mobile layout to web
Hi, I have prepared a Power BI dashboard using the mobile layout, and we would like to make this mobile view available on the web. However, I can only see it working in the Power BI mobile app, and I am experiencing difficulties when trying to implement it on a web page. Is there any way to publish the mobile layout on the web? If so, how? Thanks.How to Use Scoped Graph Permissions with SharePoint Lists
This article explains how to use scoped Graph permissions to restrict app access to lists and list items in SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business sites. It's a follow-up to other articles covering how to restrict app access to SharePoint Online sites and files. Scoping app access to specific objects is important because otherwise apps can access everything in SharePoint Online, and that isn't good. https://office365itpros.com/2026/02/25/scoped-graph-permission-lists/EXCEL 360 COMPATABLE WITH 2010 XLSM FILES? THE MACROS IN VBA?
EXCEL 360 COMPATABLE WITH 2010 XLSM FILES? THE MACROS IN VBA? I developed a complete workbook the excel 2010 for my business and was wondering if I can use the new version of excel? Hoping that all the macros will work... Thanks for any help !! DaveMicrosoft Extends DLP Policy for Copilot Protection to All Storage Locations
Microsoft has enhanced the DLP policy for Copilot to cover Office files held in any storage location instead of only Microsoft 365 locations like SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business. The change is made in the Office augmentation loop, a little-known internal component that coordinates use of connected experiences by apps. Extending the DLP policy to cover all locations makes perfect sense. https://office365itpros.com/2026/02/24/dlp-policy-for-copilot-storage/Excel workbooks keep breaking
Hi All, Sorry if this is not the right place to ask, I'm new here. Since a couple of days, my Excel workbooks keep breaking. When opening specific files, Excel states the file needs to be repaired. Everytime certain formulas are being deleted and the values are just pasted as is. I haven't had any issues with these files in the past. Previously I used a license which I bought online via a third party. It seems the issues started after an update. I switched to a license which I bought directly from Microsoft. I did a clean installation, removed all the previous versions files but the issue still exists. For a couple of days I can open the files without problems. And then yesterday excel showed an update was available and excel had to be reopened. After doing so, the issues came up again. I have a Office Home 2024 License, Excel version 16.106.1, on macOS Tahoe 26.2. T.I.AMicrosoft Takes Aim at ChatGPT
Microsoft would very much like Microsoft 365 tenants to use Copilot instead of ChatGPT. A recent comparison between Copilot and ChatGPT outlines some areas that Microsoft thinks are important when deciding which AI tool to use. Microsoft has a point because Copilot is embedded into Microsoft 365 whereas ChatGPT is more of an add-on. The competition for hearts and minds is very intense in the AI space. https://office365itpros.com/2026/02/20/copilot-and-chatgpt/Using Dev Proxy with the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK
Dev Proxy is a Microsoft tool built to help developers figure out the most effective way of using Microsoft Graph API requests. On the surface, Dev Proxy doesn’t seem like a tool that would interest people who use the Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK to write scripts for Microsoft 365. But all tools have some use, and Dev Proxy can help. https://office365itpros.com/2026/02/19/dev-proxy-graph-sdk/How to Use Scoped Graph Permissions to Access SharePoint Files
Scoped permissions grant apps granular access to files and folders in SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business sites using the Files.SelectedOperations.Selected Graph permission. The permission allows apps to access specific files or all the files in a folder. It’s a great way to make sure that apps don’t have unfettered access to confidential documents. Not that any app would try to have that kind of access… https://office365itpros.com/2026/02/18/scoped-access-files-and-folders/Modern SharePoint Architecture: Best Practices for Scalable Intranets in 2026
In 2026, SharePoint has evolved from being a basic collaboration portal into the backbone of digitally-connected organizations. With businesses demanding agility, security, and personalized employee experiences, the architecture of your SharePoint intranet isn’t just “plumbing” it’s a strategic asset that shapes how people work, share knowledge, and innovate. In this guide, we’ll explore modern SharePoint architecture principles, practical best practices, and technical steps that will ensure your intranet scales with your organization securely and intelligently. https://dellenny.com/modern-sharepoint-architecture-best-practices-for-scalable-intranets-in-2026/Concept Proposal: A Human‑Friendly, Voice‑Enabled AI Assistant for Microsoft 365
Title: Concept Proposal: A Human‑Friendly, Voice‑Enabled AI Assistant for Microsoft 365 Hello everyone, I would like to share a concept that could meaningfully enhance the Microsoft 365 experience and the evolution of Copilot. This idea is offered purely as inspiration for the product teams and as a starting point for community discussion. --- ## Concept Overview Imagine a modern successor to the classic “Clippy,” redesigned for today’s AI era: - A standalone assistant window that works alongside Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other apps - Full voice interaction, enabling natural, conversational communication - Contextual awareness of the user’s work in Office, allowing the assistant to offer timely suggestions - The ability to propose and apply edits directly in documents or present them in a separate panel This approach keeps the assistant helpful but non-intrusive, supporting the user without taking over the workspace. --- ## Humanized Interaction For many users, AI still feels abstract or intimidating. Giving the assistant a warm, friendly, human-like voice and natural conversational behavior would make it more approachable and easier to adopt. A key element would be allowing users to assign a personal name to the assistant. This simple feature can significantly increase comfort, emotional acceptance, and long-term engagement—especially in voice-based interactions. --- ## Personalization & Monetization A voice-driven assistant opens the door to meaningful personalization: - Licensed celebrity or stylized voices - A marketplace for premium voice packs - Subscription tiers for advanced personalization This could create a sustainable monetization model while giving users more control over their experience. --- ## Ethical & Legal Considerations Voice personalization also introduces important risks: - Using the voice of a living person requires explicit consent and licensing - Recreating voices of deceased individuals raises moral and emotional concerns - Allowing users to upload voice samples could lead to unauthorized cloning and legal exposure To mitigate these risks, Microsoft could implement: - Strict consent and identity verification - Technical safeguards (audio watermarking, anti-cloning detection, usage logging) - Clear policies for voice licensing and takedown procedures - Default neutral voices for safe, compliant use --- ## Closing Thoughts I’m sharing this concept as a high-level idea for discussion and inspiration. I believe a human-friendly, voice-enabled, customizable assistant could be a natural next step for Microsoft 365 and Copilot. I’d love to hear the community’s thoughts and suggestions.
Formulaires Forms bloqués
Bonjour, J'ai réalisé 3 formulaires Forms sur Microsoft Forms d'un compte personnel Outlook. Les formulaires ont été distribués auprès de mes proches pendant 1 mois et demi (inscriptions pour un évènement). Soudainement, mon compte Microsoft a été bloqué et les formulaires ne sont plus accessibles depuis le lien de partage. J'ai récupéré mon compte Microsoft en changeant le mot de passe. Les formulaires sont toujours sur l'application mais je n'ai plus aucunes statistiques et ai perdu toutes les données. De plus les liens de partage ne sont toujours pas fonctionnels et les formulaires impossibles à copier. Comment puis-je récupérer les réponses et relancer le lien pour que mes proches puissent continuer d'y répondre ? J'ai demandé à l'assistance technique qui m'a redirigé ici. Bien à vous.Code Error Allowed Copilot Chat to Expose Confidential Information
A code error allowed Copilot Chat to expose confidential email. Microsoft is fixing the problem, but it’s a reminder of how AI can expose information of Microsoft 365 tenants don’t use available features to restrict AI access. Those features need to be configured and deployed, but that doesn’t take much effort. It’s better than users complaining when Copilot exposes their most secret thoughts. https://office365itpros.com/2026/02/13/dlp-policy-for-copilot-bug/
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Recent Blogs
- Agent mode in Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat now enables you to query locally stored Excel workbooks on Windows and Mac desktop.Feb 27, 2026
- You can now have Copilot in Outlook reschedule personal appointments and one-on-one meetings if a conflicting event arises that takes priority.Feb 27, 2026
