Mar 13
Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group April Meeting

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The Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group April meeting is taking place at 3PM on Wednesday, 3rd of April at the Microsoft Adelaide Office hosted by @Daniel Brown

Meeting Registration: https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/adelaide-microsoft-copilot-user-group/events/299639976/

Agenda:
3:00 PM: Food, Meet & Greet, Networking
3:30 PM: Welcome and News
3:45 PM: Presentation & Discussion
4:45 PM: Q & A
5:00 PM: Close

Thank you to our Sponsors: @Microsoft, @Archon Gnosis, @Nuago

User Group Links:
* Join the mailing List:https://forms.office.com/r/fF092ViY7d
* Topic Suggestion: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/XfSySgG0bf
* MeetUp Group: https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-microsoft-copilot-user-group/
* LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14359062/

Mar 13
Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group Feb & March Recordings

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Our published recordings from the Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group can be found via the links bellow:

User Group Links:

Mar 13
End of support reminder for SharePoint 2016 and SharePoint 2019

It may be hard to believe, but SharePoint Server 2019 reached the end of Mainstream Support on January 9th of this year and is now in Extended Support. This means that it's no longer eligible to receive non-security quality updates. Going forward, it's only eligible to receive security updates.

In fact, the end of support for SharePoint Server 2016 and SharePoint Server 2019 is just over 2 years away. On July 14, 2026, both of these products will reach end of support. After that date, these products will no longer be eligible to receive support of any kind, including security updates.

If you're currently using either of these products, now is the perfect time to start thinking about your future. There are two paths forward to remain supported:

  1. Migrate to SharePoint in Microsoft 365, which is our recommended approach. SharePoint in Microsoft 365 is our premier SharePoint experience and gives customers access to all of the latest productivity, security, and usability investments that Microsoft is making now and in the future.
  2. Upgrade to SharePoint Server Subscription Edition, which is the latest version of SharePoint Server. SharePoint Server Subscription Edition is based on our modern engineering and support lifecycle, which means we'll continue to introduce new feature experiences and capabilities for it on a regular basis through feature updates, focusing on security and key customer scenarios. Note that while we'll continue to make investments in SharePoint Server Subscription Edition, the scope of those investments will be much smaller compared to SharePoint in Microsoft 365, so the feature gap between them will only increase over time. For this reason, we encourage customers to migrate what they can to SharePoint in Microsoft 365 and only keep what they must in SharePoint Server Subscription Edition.

Full details (and Whats new with SharePoint Server) can be found at https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-sharepoint-blog/what-s-new-for-sharepoint-server-march-2024/ba-p/4082490

Mar 10
Adelaide Microsoft User Group Community

Just a current list of Adelaide based - Microsoft User Groups

1st Tuesday of the month - Adelaide Microsoft IT Pro Community - https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/adelaide-microsoft-itpro-community/

1st Wednesday of the month - Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group - https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/adelaide-microsoft-copilot-user-group/

2nd Tuesday of the Month - Adelaide Power BI & Fabric Group - https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/adelaide-power-bi-user-group/

2nd Wednesday of the month - Adelaide .NET User Group - https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/adelaide-dotnet/

3rd Tuesday of the month - Adelaide Microsoft 365 User Group - https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/adelaide-microsoft-365-user-group/

3rd Wednesday of the month - Adelaide Data and Analytics User Group - https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/adssug/

On Hold - Needs a User Group Lead - Adelaide Azure User Group - https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/adelaide-azure-user-group/

Feb 21
Adelaide Microsoft Adelaide Microsoft 365 User Group

Fantastic event! Thank you Carlo for presenting on Copilot for Microsoft 365 and thank you to everyone who could attend, both in–person and via Microsoft Teams! Thank you!

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Feb 17
Microsoft Publisher end of life–October 2026

Crying inside Blank Template - Imgflip

imageIn October 2026, Microsoft Publisher will reach its end of life.

After that time, it will no longer be included in Microsoft 365 and existing on-premises suites will no longer be supported.

Until then, support for Publisher will continue and users can expect the same experience as today.

This is sad news, as a user of Microsoft Publisher of some odd 30 years it will be missed, but the features are very much throughout the other Office applications, very much so with PowerPoint and Designer. (Could this trigger a rename of PowerPoint in the future?)

Full details from Microsoft can be found at https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/microsoft-publisher-will-no-longer-be-supported-after-october-2026-ee6302a2-4bc7-4841-babf-8e9be3acbfd7

Feb 10
Using AI to go back in my family history and bring my ancestors to life

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I am delighted to share a fascinating project I've been immersed in lately, which combined several passions of mine - Ancient History, History, Family Tree - and AI! (This is a cool one and worth the read)

TL;DR: Using AI, I got it to generate 48 ancestors, using the most common names, average lifespan and take into account things such as the Saxon wars, crusades, plagues, famines, etc – Then I used AI to create images of my ancestors, bring them to life on a whole new level. It’s also in ancestry.com

Leveraging the power of AI, I have been able “extended” my family tree back beyond any records I can obtain, tracing it all the way back to 800AD.

In essence, I created a *representative* family tree branch that spans 48 generations.

But here's where it gets truly interesting: historical events, names, lifespans, environmental events and other real factors and events have been incorporated into the details by AI.

By using historical data, my own DNA history, and factors like average lifespans, most common names, location names, and significant events such as the black plague, various crusades, the Saxon wars and make up of my DNA over time - AI created a list of names, birth dates, life spans and a description of each individual.

But that's not all! Thanks to AI's incredible capabilities, I've brought these ancestors to life in a whole new way! Using Microsoft Bing Create, I used the brief description of the individual, combined with the most common clothing of the time to generated realistic images of each ancestor.

It's truly remarkable to see faces from the past taking shape before my eyes!

This project not only sheds light on my family's heritage but also showcases the incredible potential of AI in historical research and storytelling. From generating accurate data to visualizing the past, AI has opened endless possibilities in understanding and preserving our collective history.

Is it 100% accurate? No – but its not intended to – and truth be told, I will most likely never know the truth of my ancestry for this length of time, in this kind of detail (This is where AI can kick in!). Is it close enough? Yes.

I'm thrilled to share this journey with you all and look forward to exploring more AI-driven coolness in the future!

Ragnar's Description:


Ragnar was born in Scandinavia the year 778. He grew up as a farmer and warrior and took part in raids along the English coast.

In 802, Ragnar married Gunnhild, and they had three children: Thyra (born 803), Harald (born 806), and Astrid (born 809).

Ragnar and his family left Denmark in 820 and settled in the ancient city of Eoforwic (York), England.

The children, Thyra, Harald, and Astrid grew up hearing tales of their ancestors' conquests. They embraced their Viking heritage and inherited their parents' courage and loyalty, while also adopting the culture of their new homeland, one which would last for almost 50 generations.

#AI #FamilyTree #HistoricalResearch #MicrosoftAI #Microsoft

Feb 07
Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group Recap

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A huge thank you to everyone who was able to make our first ever meeting with the Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group – Great afternoon with alot of great faces!

Also big thank you to Andrew Coates who presented today remotely to our User Group on Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio.

Some event photos:

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Jan 16
Copilot for Microsoft 365 eligibility

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Microsoft have not only removed the 300 license minimum, but they have also removed the enterprise level license (E3/E5) restriction also, now Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium also able yto purchase the license!

For more details, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-au/microsoft-365/business/copilot-for-microsoft-365?icid=copilotblog&rtc=1#FAQ

Jan 16
Microsoft Copilot features & pricing

With the announcement of Copilot Pro and the removal of the 300 limit for Copilot for Microsoft 365, having a feature vs price breakdown is helpful – so here it is!

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Expanding Copilot for Microsoft 365 to businesses of all sizes - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2024/01/15/expanding-copilot-for-microsoft-365-to-businesses-of-all-sizes/

Bringing the full power of Copilot to more people and businesses - https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2024/01/15/bringing-the-full-power-of-copilot-to-more-people-and-businesses/

Jan 14
The Adelaide Office 365 User Group is thrilled to share some exciting news!

After careful consideration, consultation, and alignment with the ever-evolving technology landscape, we are delighted to announce that we are re-branding our community to be the Adelaide Microsoft 365 User Group.

This change reflects our commitment to staying at the forefront of technology trends and aligning with Microsoft's comprehensive strategy moving forward.

Our mission remains unchanged – to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and skill development within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem from a Modern Workplace perspective.

In the fast-paced world of digital transformation, it's essential that we adapt and evolve. By embracing the Microsoft 365 umbrella, we are better positioned to address the diverse needs of our community and provide insights into the latest advancements across the platform.

The transition to Adelaide Microsoft 365 User Group reflects our dedication to staying current and relevant in the dynamic tech landscape.

Join us in this exciting journey as we continue to explore, learn, and grow together. Your support has been invaluable, and we can't wait to embark on this next chapter with you!

Stay connected and information, subscribe to the mailing list at: https://forms.office.com/r/gXsPtu2SUd

Topic Suggestions: https://forms.office.com/r/DxKtAMCt96

Speaker Session Submissions: https://forms.office.com/r/L2ghmRgwwZ

Jan 10
Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group Meetup now Live!

The Meetup page is now live and published can our first meeting which is taking place at the Microsoft Office Adelaide on the 7th of February, 2024!

Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/adelaide-microsoft-copilot-user-group/events/298453339/

Newsletter mailing list registration: https://forms.office.com/r/fF092ViY7d

Interested in speaking? Fill out the Speaker Submission Form: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/n9n8AWS0hH

Topic Suggestion form: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/XfSySgG0bf

The Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group will meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month, February through to December

Jan 10
Practice Assessments for Microsoft Certifications

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Looking to take some free practice assessments in preparation for your Microsoft Certifications?

Check out this Microsoft Learn page which lists all 38 free practice assessment you can take - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/practice-assessments-for-microsoft-certifications

Jan 10
Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group–We have a launch date

The 7th of February – That is the date of our first meeting for the new Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group!

The meeting will be held at the Microsoft Adelaide office on Pirie Street.

Sign up to the newsletter to get the most up to date information at  https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=esTK4mlfn0KNOQNNKDheIRYZNNjNjnZGnm6xEdCbdphUN0RGNU1TRVcwNDIzRVdVT0NQSTZYRVZQNi4u

Meetup page coming soon!

Jan 10
Microsoft Copilot 2024 Road Map

2024 is certainty the year of Microsoft Copilot Rollouts.

Just some of the planned rollouts for the next 3 months:

  • Copilot in Excel -> rollout start: February 2024
  • Copilot in Stream -> rollout start: February 2024
  • Copilot in Viva Goals -> rollout start: February 2024
  • Copilot in SharePoint -> rollout start: March 2024
  • Copilot in Planner -> rollout start: March 2024
  • Copilot in Viva Engage -> rollout start: April 2024

Really looking forward to these rollouts and what Copilot can actually do in these applications and the situations which present themselves.

Adelaide Copilot User Group

Also – Adelaide has a new User G4roup – the Adelaide Microsoft Copilot User Group!

Join the mailing list: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=esTK4mlfn0KNOQNNKDheIRYZNNjNjnZGnm6xEdCbdphUN0RGNU1TRVcwNDIzRVdVT0NQSTZYRVZQNi4u

Visit the LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/adelaidecopilotusergroup

Copilot Resources

Microsoft Roadmap for Copilot: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=In%20development&searchterms=copilot

Latest Copilot News: https://adoption.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/#announcements

Microsoft Copilot Adoption Resources: https://adoption.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/

Jan 04
SharePoint Add-In retirement in Microsoft 365

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SharePoint Add-Ins will stop working for new tenants as of November 1st, 2024 and they will stop working for existing tenants and will be fully retired as of April 2nd, 2026. This applies to all environments including Government Clouds and Department of Defense.

In parallel with the SharePoint Add-In retirement, adding, updating and acquiring SharePoint Add-Ins via the public marketplace (a.k.a. store) will also be retiring. As of March 1st, 2024 Microsoft will not accept new SharePoint Add-Ins for listing in the public marketplace, from July 1st, 2024 SharePoint Add-Ins cannot be acquired anymore from the public marketplace. Using a tenant app catalog will stay supported and enables 3rd parties to offer their SharePoint Add-Ins until April 2nd, 2026.

Breaking down the timeline:

  • March 1, 2024: Microsoft stops accepting new SharePoint add-ins in the store
  • July 24, 2024: Existing add-ins can no longer be installed from the store
  • November 2024: New tenants are unable to use add-ins.
  • April 2026: SharePoint add-ins cease to function entirely.

Assessment Tool

Microsoft to provide an assessment tool on how the SharePoint Add-in are being used within a Tenant and people are engorged to use this to gain insights into their current add-ins, usage and landscape.

Recommended Migration – SPFX

The recommended migration for SharePoint Addins is to use the SharePoint Framework (SPFX) to replace the AddIns

You can read the full post at https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-sharepoint-blog/sharepoint-add-in-retirement-in-microsoft-365/ba-p/3982035

More information

Jan 04
Microsoft Copilot Learning paths on Microsoft Learn

Microsoft Learn: Build skills that open doors in your career

Looking for some extra learning? Interested in Microsoft Copilot with Microsoft 365?

Check out the learning paths for Copilot on Microsoft Learn at - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/browse/?resource_type=learning%20path&terms=prepare%20for%20copilot

I highly recommend the 4 learning part series, its a great way of learning just how deep and wide Copilot will be with Microsoft 365.

Jan 04
Copilot for Microsoft 365 User Onboarding Toolkit

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Microsoft have release the Copilot for Microsoft 365 User Onboarding toolkit! The toolkit includes ready-to-send emails and community posts that you can send to users, in a structured weekly program.

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The content is designed to be customized to suit your organization's needs.

Each week contains the poster images, as well as the emails relevant for that week (week 4 – Copilot in PowerPoint)

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Week 6 - Copilot for Excel

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(Email template)

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(Poster Image)

You can download the toolkit at https://adoption.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/user-onboarding-kit/

A great toolkit for preparing your organisation for Microsoft Copilot – And you need to get ready for Copilot – no matter the size of your organisation, ensure your data is structured, ensure permissions are set correctly and most of all - ensure that people get the knowledge they are after about Copilot sooner rather than later!

Also check out the Microsoft Copilot Adoption Website - https://adoption.microsoft.com/en-us/copilot/

Dec 14
Delve Web is retiring– December 16, 2024

(Cannot say I am surprised at this, Delve has been s stable of 365 for some time, but it has quickly become outdated and unused and as the statement says below, most of the features are in other products now)

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Announcement MC698136 published on 14 December, 2023 states:

We will be retiring Delve on December 16th, 2024. Most of the features and value offered by Delve today are already available and improved in other experiences in Microsoft 365. The main one being Profile Cards in Microsoft 365. Here is a list of features offered in Delve and the experiences we recommend using instead:

  • Delve Home – discover relevant documents recommended on Office.com, in Office apps and in Profile Cards.
  • Delve Profile – view profile data in the Profile Cards cross M365, through people in search on Office.com and search in SharePoint.
  • Edit profile – a new edit profile experience tightly coupled with Profile Cards are being developed and will be released in second half of 2024. It is also possible for users to edit their profile data in the SharePoint profile edit experience (editprofile.aspx).
  • Organizational view – exists in the Profile Card and as a dedicated experience in Org Explorer
  • Favorites – favorites on Office.com and OneDrive is not connected to Delve and is a good option for users with similar functionality and improved availability.
  • Boards – will not be replaced.

When this will happen:

December 16, 2024

How this will affect your organization:

You are receiving this message because Delve web is available to most customers in Microsoft 365. The number one feature offered in Delve is the ability for users to update their profile properties, and this will be replaced with a new dedicated profile editing experience in the second half of 2024. Please note that Delve and the new edit profile experience will work side by side until Delve is retired.

Users will no longer be able to create new boards, add documents to existing boards, view boards or search for boards when this change is implemented. Please note that documents themselves will NOT be removed. It is only the association with one or multiple boards that will be removed.

We will soon enable banners in Delve, letting users know that the feature will be retired and link to suggested alternatives.

The new edit profile experience will for now read and write to the same source as Delve does, thus there are no changes in how admins can modify user profile properties.

What you need to do to prepare:

We recommend updating internal documentation and training related to Delve with the suggested alternatives. When the new edit profile experience is available this will also need to be shared broadly and documentation updated. We will make sure that the new edit profile experience is easy to access and easy to use and that there is public documentation in place before releasing.

Please click additional information to learn more about existing alternatives.

Dec 14
PowerApp: CountRows Delegation workaround

I have been working on a PowerApp as of late, where if there is no rows, Change the text to “New”, If there is only 1 Row, Change the text to “Edit” (The app only expects 1 row in this list for this particular app)

In order to accomplish this, one may write: If(CountRows(Filter('SWMS Emergency Response', SWMS.Value=Text(RecordsGallery1_3.Selected.Title))) > 0, "Edit", "New")

However, this produces the usual delegation error, as CountRows is not one of the functions which can be delegated to SQL/SharePoint/etc.

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The Solution!

Code: If(Sum(ForAll(Filter('SWMS Emergency Response', SWMS.Value=Text(RecordsGallery1_3.Selected.Title)),1),Value) > 0, "Edit", "New")

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The code works by - for any rows found in the conduction, we Add 1, then sum the result - If it it is 0, it is “New”, otherwise it is “Edit” and it delegable.

In essence, the magic piece of code is Sum(ForAll(Filter(‘Datasource’,Filter),1),Value) – It is then just wrapped in an If() condition

This exact feature (CountRows (and SUM)) has been requested to be made delegatable and it does have a status of planned.

Links:

Hope this helps!

-DB

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About this blog
Yes, this is actually my picture. I have gotten around to updating this section. It's good to know that someone is reading every last word though. Thanks!
Microsoft MVP 2008, 2009 and 2010
 LinkedIn - Adelaide Office 365 User Group
 Australian Computer Society
 Archon Gnosis
 Archon Mining
 Gnosis Superfund