Is there an acceptable method to convert pub to docx?
Unfortunately Microsoft has decided to end Publisher. So users are forced to find methods both for archiving old files and converting current files to be able to continue working. For the first PDF will most likely be the easiest. For the second I've been trying to find a converter. This proves to be a challenge. And the results have been very unsatisfactory so far. My main publication is a brochure which is printed double-sided on A4 paper, stapled and then folded to A5 size. The publication contains 99% text boxes (with formatted text) and pictures. Here and there a shape like a horizontal line. All things that Word definitely supports. So converting it should be a no-brainer - at least I thought so. Of course Publisher can save as DOCX. Unfortunately the function only supports plain text. So the text boxes are removed, which means a lot of manual rework. Also the text isn't converted continuously. For exapmle the text that was on the first sheet in my Publisher file, ended up on page 5 in Word. Bottom line: not acceptable. Microsoft therefore don't even refer to that save function in their official communication to Publisher retirement. They suggest a workaround instead: save the file as a PDF and open it with Word. The suggestion is embarrassing enough, since it implies that Microsoft are unable to provide suitable conversion between their own formats. I tested it anyway. But the layout ends up in Word in a way that requires a lot of manual rework. Tab stops are partially removed, page margins are shifted. The pagination is also incorrect, so that some pages are half empty. Bottom line: not acceptable. Also tried some online converters. Unfortunately the results haven't been satisfying either. Most of them convert text boxes into shapes with integrated text boxes. And even worse: big text boxes are often split into several smaller boxes. In any case there still remains a lot of manual rework. Bottom line: halfway acceptable. Disappoiting Conclusion: At present, I consider it the best option to rebuild the file from scratch in Word using Copy-Paste. If someone knows a better method, would be happy to hear about it.
M365 automatically reverts back to an older version
I'm migrating to Monthly Enterprise Channel using the M365 servicing plan which seems to work fine, except for a handful of computers. Their channel changes, but their office version will not stay current. After the version would not change from 2007 to 2211, I uninstalled Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise and installed 2211. The next morning, I checked, and it reverted back to 2007. I've used this same process on several other laptops, and all has worked well. Any ideas why this is occurring?New Outlook: Shadow contacts not stored in Outlook.com, no sync/export and missing Birthday calendar
I’m reporting a reproducible data‑integrity issue in the New Outlook for Windows that affects Outlook.com contact storage and synchronization. 🔍 Summary When a contact is created in the New Outlook, the client appears to save it successfully. However, the resulting contact is not stored in the user’s Outlook.com account as a normal cloud contact. Instead, it becomes what I would describe as a local “shadow contact” in the New Outlook cache. ⚠️ Observable Behavior • The contact appears in Outlook.com → People, but does not show “Stored in: Outlook” • The contact does not appear in Outlook.com CSV exports • The contact does not sync to mobile devices connected to the same account • The contact does not populate the Outlook.com Birthday calendar • The contact is lost if the New Outlook app is reinstalled or its local store is cleared 🧪 Steps to Reproduce 1. Open the New Outlook for Windows 2. Create a new contact and add a birthday 3. Save the contact 4. Open Outlook.com → People 5. Locate the contact — it will appear, but the “Stored in: Outlook” field is missing 6. Export contacts from Outlook.com (CSV) — the contact will not be present 7. Check a mobile device configured with the same Microsoft account — the contact will not be present 8. Check the Outlook.com Birthday calendar — the birthday will not appear 9. Reinstall the New Outlook app — the contact will be gone ✅ Expected Behavior • Contacts created in the New Outlook should be stored as first‑class Outlook.com contacts • They should appear with a proper “Stored in: Outlook” location • They should sync across devices, export via Outlook.com, and populate the Birthday calendar ❌ Actual Behavior • Contacts created in the New Outlook are effectively “shadow contacts” stored in a local cache • They look normal in the New Outlook UI, but they are incomplete, non‑synchronizing objects from the service’s perspective 📉 Impact • Silent data loss risk for users who assume contacts are in Outlook.com when they are not • Inconsistent contact and birthday data across devices and services • Split contact store model: • Real Outlook.com contacts • Local shadow contacts created by New Outlook 📎 What I’ve Already Done • Submitted feedback through the New Outlook (Help → Feedback → Report a Problem) • Submitted a detailed report via the Windows Feedback Hub • Contacted Microsoft Support, who advised that escalation must occur via Feedback 📣 Request I’m posting this here to document the issue publicly and to ask: • Can anyone from the Outlook / Exchange / Outlook.com team confirm this behavior? • Can other users reproduce this with the steps above? Given the data‑integrity implications, I’m hoping this can be brought to the attention of the relevant engineering team. Any confirmation, additional data points, or official guidance would be appreciated.
What's going on with office.com / web apps?
I'm aware that Microsoft had already chosen to upend usability once by changing office.com into 😡m365.cloud.microsoft😡 and make accessing web apps more difficult. This week I found they're hidding applications even further by burying them at the bottom of the page behind another menu - even when "pinned". Below are two screenshots of the 😡m365.cloud.microsoft😡 portal from different accounts that were created on the same day and accessed from the same computer and web browser via admin priveledges. I have observed this discrepency more than once with various accounts. Can someone explain the rational for Microsoft continuing to further bury office applications from users? Am I unaware of a new portal to access the Office applications our users rely upon every day?
Has Your Organization Set Up a Viva Engage Community for Microsoft 365 Collaboration?
Hi everyone! As a trainer, I often get great questions during my Microsoft 365 sessions. While I share answers live, only the attendees benefit—leaving many others without that valuable info. I’ve already set up a Microsoft Learning Pathways SharePoint site as a resource, but I’m exploring ways to extend knowledge-sharing beyond the classroom.Has anyone created or participated in a Viva Engage community to share tips, answer questions, and collaborate around daily Microsoft 365 tools? I’d love to hear about your experiences, best practices, or ideas on how to maximize impact and reach across your organizations. Thanks in advance for sharing! Let’s empower everyone to get more from Microsoft 365.😃
Organisation bookings and pass through data in MS Bookings
Hi All, I thought this was possible, but it doesn't seem to be working so hoping for some pointers.. When using Microsoft Bookings for a shared service, for the use of those internal to my organisation, is it possible for the person making the booking to have their details automatically populate the form (i.e. name, email address)? I'd have thought this was basic, but it looks like it's purely designed for external bookings, regardless to the audience. Many thanks, DaynaSharePoint sync issues when opening from File Explorer
Hi there, Some users in my company are having issues with files not syncing with SharePoint when they save them and are also unable to concurrently edit files. They open the files via File Explorer and the 'autosave' functionality is disabled. Enabling autosave prompts them to save as a new copy. These users have recently switched to a new laptop running Windows 11 (previous laptop was Windows 10) and had no sync issues when using the old laptop. If the user first opens Excel/Word and then uses the File menu to open the document then the autosave is enabled and the file syncs with SharePoint. Here are some of the troubleshooting steps I've tried: stopping the sync and starting it again unlinking the pc and re-syncing the SharePoint site uninstalling and re-installing OneDrive Has anyone come across this issue or know of a fix that I haven't tried yet? Regards, Steve
PowerPoint: Restore “Align” and “Distribute” tools in PP for iPad (v2.103)
Dears, I am reporting a critical regression in PowerPoint for iPad. In the current release (version 2.103), the essential Align and Distribute tools appear to have been completely removed from the UI. These features were part of the full ribbon in previous versions and are fundamental for precise, professional, efficient, effective, and smooth slide layout. Without them, basic layout tasks can no longer be performed smoothly on the iPad. The removal of core layout tools feels like an unexpected downgrade. This change significantly reduces the usability of PowerPoint on this platform and may even force users to switch to lower-tier apps such as Keynote and others for very basic editing tasks. I am fully aware that iPadOS is often perceived as a lightweight or “consumer-first” environment. Ironically, it is precisely the professional quality of Microsoft’s applications that has made the iPad a serious productivity device for many of us. Please keep this standard high – it is the reason why the iPad can function as a genuine professional workstation rather than a creative toy. I kindly request that Microsoft restores the full ribbon or provides an option to access these tools again. Thank you very much, Marco
