All You Need to Know About the Latest SharePoint Online Character Support Update

A relatively trivial update for some, yet a critically important change for others. Last month, Microsoft announced that the characters “#” and “%” will be now supported in file and folder names within document libraries for SharePoint Online and Microsoft SharePoint One Drive users.

What’s the Update All About?

Have you heard about the latest update to Microsoft SharePoint OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online? Specifically, the one including support for # and %?

Well, according to Microsoft’s blog post:

“This will allow people to create, store, and sync files containing # and % characters whether those characters are used as a prefix or suffix to the file or folder name. # and % will be limited to use in file names in addition to SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business document libraries and related folders. The use of # and % outside of document libraries is not supported at this time.”

You may be thinking, okay, so what exactly is the big deal?

The problem with using these particular characters is that for web developers and code editors alike, they represent more than just labeling.  The # symbol can sometimes represent the end of a string in C, and the % symbol can represent a space between text within a page URL.
Don’t worry though, all of these dilemmas are apparently none to worry about. As explained by

Microsoft’s SharePoint development team:

“To remove the ambiguity around intention, and to avoid breaking backwards compatibility with existing APIs, we are introducing a strongly typed, rich-featured representation of URLs to better represent the true developer intention of a URL… Specifically, we’ve introduced a new class (Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ResourcePath)… This class will be used to represent URLs across our APIs instead of string.”

                                                                           Image Source: static.pexels.com

Long story short, in an effort to streamline this new direction of SharePoint Online character support, Microsoft is urging developers to evaluate their scenarios and the lineage of URL paths they have placed for existing solutions. In other words, developers will eventually have to switch to the new API (Application Program Interface) or suffer a multitude of consequences.

How is this Beneficial for Users?

People like having the freedom and functionality to be able to name files and folders as they please. The ability to use a # for numbers and relative hashtags within a document title, or the chance to use a % for percentages of work completion for a folder heading presents a tremendous opportunity.

According to Microsoft;

“Files are as unique as the people who create them and we’re constantly working in SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business to support a broad array of types of naming conventions.”
The tech giant wants to give developers freedom to better express their intent in URL creation for these file destinations. Providing them with less regulations or principles to follow, can allow for better labelling and increased work functions.

One thing to note from Microsoft’s blog post, “While SharePoint lists and libraries can have # and % in their URLs, there are no plans to enable their use through the SharePoint user interface at this time.” This just plays more into the fact that the logic behind this change isn’t for end users, but for developers and their style accordingly.

The Wrap Up

Taking what we learned from some of the other latest SharePoint updates, one question comes to mind:

Is the addition of these characters worth the headache of having to implement a new API?
The answer? It’s entirely subjective.

                                                                        Image Source: static.pexels.com

Some developers will appreciate the added functionality of naming and labelling for files and folders, while others will see it as an extra complicating factor making matters more difficult while throwing an extra hurdle in the process of coding.

We will definitely make sure to keep an eye on this and see how this update dictates the future of SharePoint library creations.

All You Need to Know About the Latest SharePoint Online Character Support Update

Posted by Sophina Dillard No comments

A relatively trivial update for some, yet a critically important change for others. Last month, Microsoft announced that the characters “#” and “%” will be now supported in file and folder names within document libraries for SharePoint Online and Microsoft SharePoint One Drive users.

What’s the Update All About?

Have you heard about the latest update to Microsoft SharePoint OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online? Specifically, the one including support for # and %?

Well, according to Microsoft’s blog post:

“This will allow people to create, store, and sync files containing # and % characters whether those characters are used as a prefix or suffix to the file or folder name. # and % will be limited to use in file names in addition to SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business document libraries and related folders. The use of # and % outside of document libraries is not supported at this time.”

You may be thinking, okay, so what exactly is the big deal?

The problem with using these particular characters is that for web developers and code editors alike, they represent more than just labeling.  The # symbol can sometimes represent the end of a string in C, and the % symbol can represent a space between text within a page URL.
Don’t worry though, all of these dilemmas are apparently none to worry about. As explained by

Microsoft’s SharePoint development team:

“To remove the ambiguity around intention, and to avoid breaking backwards compatibility with existing APIs, we are introducing a strongly typed, rich-featured representation of URLs to better represent the true developer intention of a URL… Specifically, we’ve introduced a new class (Microsoft.SharePoint.Client.ResourcePath)… This class will be used to represent URLs across our APIs instead of string.”

                                                                           Image Source: static.pexels.com

Long story short, in an effort to streamline this new direction of SharePoint Online character support, Microsoft is urging developers to evaluate their scenarios and the lineage of URL paths they have placed for existing solutions. In other words, developers will eventually have to switch to the new API (Application Program Interface) or suffer a multitude of consequences.

How is this Beneficial for Users?

People like having the freedom and functionality to be able to name files and folders as they please. The ability to use a # for numbers and relative hashtags within a document title, or the chance to use a % for percentages of work completion for a folder heading presents a tremendous opportunity.

According to Microsoft;

“Files are as unique as the people who create them and we’re constantly working in SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business to support a broad array of types of naming conventions.”
The tech giant wants to give developers freedom to better express their intent in URL creation for these file destinations. Providing them with less regulations or principles to follow, can allow for better labelling and increased work functions.

One thing to note from Microsoft’s blog post, “While SharePoint lists and libraries can have # and % in their URLs, there are no plans to enable their use through the SharePoint user interface at this time.” This just plays more into the fact that the logic behind this change isn’t for end users, but for developers and their style accordingly.

The Wrap Up

Taking what we learned from some of the other latest SharePoint updates, one question comes to mind:

Is the addition of these characters worth the headache of having to implement a new API?
The answer? It’s entirely subjective.

                                                                        Image Source: static.pexels.com

Some developers will appreciate the added functionality of naming and labelling for files and folders, while others will see it as an extra complicating factor making matters more difficult while throwing an extra hurdle in the process of coding.

We will definitely make sure to keep an eye on this and see how this update dictates the future of SharePoint library creations.

Microsoft Launched Power BI Report Integration for SharePoint Online

                Image Source: powerbicdn.azureedge.net

As marketers, we love the idea of data discovery and presenting it in a way that can be easily understood. For the past year or so, Power BI has allowed us to effectively prepare data and turn it into interactive visualizations. However, for us SharePoint users it has been agonizing to integrate these Power BI reports… until now.
As per a Microsoft Blog posted in early February, “The new web part we are releasing today enables SharePoint authors to embed Power BI reports directly in SharePoint Online pages with no code required!”

What’s Power BI?

Released in July of 2015, Power BI is a dynamic cloud-based service that gives report analysts the ability to distribute insights from their business’s data through visualizations. It’s essentially Microsoft’s way of allowing users to transform information into graphs and other powerful ocular representations.

And Microsoft Did This Because...

Well, Microsoft did this because SharePoint Online is an essential managing platform for a large amount of enterprises. The fact that users couldn’t effortlessly consolidate visualizations from this software also persuaded Microsoft into realizing this may be something to explore. All of this in an attempt to continue making Microsoft SharePoint a simple yet powerful platform to work with.
With no further ado, let’s go over some of the key benefits from this update.

How is This Done?

Microsoft shares the exact process of embedding on their official blog post. For a quick run down, the procedure is pretty straightforward. It’s as effortless as publishing a report, adding the Power BI web part to your SharePoint Online page, and pasting the URL of your report when directed to do so.

To the Rescue

The ability to not only visualize data but to also share it with your organization in a seamless user experience is exactly what this integration is all about. Microsoft is giving every SharePoint-using corporation the insight it needs to strategically communicate and disseminate vital information.

                                                                  Image Source: static.pexels.com

Another accessibility feature that’s mentioned within the article is this idea of convenience through a single sign-on. Taken straight out from the official release blog:
“…a core focus of our web part is seamless integration with SharePoint Online to achieve a single sign-on experience. The web part works with new authentication features in SharePoint Online available now within the 365 First Release program. The new authentication capabilities enable the Power BI web part to use single sign-on – so by default users will not be prompted to sign-in to Power BI. Multi-factor authentication may require the user to sign-in again, if they didn’t use a security device when signing in to SharePoint.”
This is just frosting on the cake of simplicity. In addition, Microsoft has ensured that all security checks are applied to reports. This includes enforcing data security through Power BI itself, almost guaranteeing secure internal portals for the enterprise to show data. With highly sensitive information being displayed, it only makes sense that reports won’t be automatically available for everyone.
There is one drawback, however. According to Microsoft: “The Power BI report web part requires all the viewers to have a Power BI Pro license. If your users don’t have a Pro license, they’ll be directed to PowerBI.com where they can enroll or start a Pro trial.”
If this stays this way, it can mean fewer users who get to experience this new feature from Microsoft.

The Wrap Up

These latest SharePoint updates lead us to believe that Microsoft is attempting to make our lives simpler, one renovation at a time. If they can change the Pro license requirement, this web part can and will be an integral part of our data representation techniques.

Microsoft Launched Power BI Report Integration for SharePoint Online

Posted by Sophina Dillard No comments

                Image Source: powerbicdn.azureedge.net

As marketers, we love the idea of data discovery and presenting it in a way that can be easily understood. For the past year or so, Power BI has allowed us to effectively prepare data and turn it into interactive visualizations. However, for us SharePoint users it has been agonizing to integrate these Power BI reports… until now.
As per a Microsoft Blog posted in early February, “The new web part we are releasing today enables SharePoint authors to embed Power BI reports directly in SharePoint Online pages with no code required!”

What’s Power BI?

Released in July of 2015, Power BI is a dynamic cloud-based service that gives report analysts the ability to distribute insights from their business’s data through visualizations. It’s essentially Microsoft’s way of allowing users to transform information into graphs and other powerful ocular representations.

And Microsoft Did This Because...

Well, Microsoft did this because SharePoint Online is an essential managing platform for a large amount of enterprises. The fact that users couldn’t effortlessly consolidate visualizations from this software also persuaded Microsoft into realizing this may be something to explore. All of this in an attempt to continue making Microsoft SharePoint a simple yet powerful platform to work with.
With no further ado, let’s go over some of the key benefits from this update.

How is This Done?

Microsoft shares the exact process of embedding on their official blog post. For a quick run down, the procedure is pretty straightforward. It’s as effortless as publishing a report, adding the Power BI web part to your SharePoint Online page, and pasting the URL of your report when directed to do so.

To the Rescue

The ability to not only visualize data but to also share it with your organization in a seamless user experience is exactly what this integration is all about. Microsoft is giving every SharePoint-using corporation the insight it needs to strategically communicate and disseminate vital information.

                                                                  Image Source: static.pexels.com

Another accessibility feature that’s mentioned within the article is this idea of convenience through a single sign-on. Taken straight out from the official release blog:
“…a core focus of our web part is seamless integration with SharePoint Online to achieve a single sign-on experience. The web part works with new authentication features in SharePoint Online available now within the 365 First Release program. The new authentication capabilities enable the Power BI web part to use single sign-on – so by default users will not be prompted to sign-in to Power BI. Multi-factor authentication may require the user to sign-in again, if they didn’t use a security device when signing in to SharePoint.”
This is just frosting on the cake of simplicity. In addition, Microsoft has ensured that all security checks are applied to reports. This includes enforcing data security through Power BI itself, almost guaranteeing secure internal portals for the enterprise to show data. With highly sensitive information being displayed, it only makes sense that reports won’t be automatically available for everyone.
There is one drawback, however. According to Microsoft: “The Power BI report web part requires all the viewers to have a Power BI Pro license. If your users don’t have a Pro license, they’ll be directed to PowerBI.com where they can enroll or start a Pro trial.”
If this stays this way, it can mean fewer users who get to experience this new feature from Microsoft.

The Wrap Up

These latest SharePoint updates lead us to believe that Microsoft is attempting to make our lives simpler, one renovation at a time. If they can change the Pro license requirement, this web part can and will be an integral part of our data representation techniques.

Microsoft SharePoint Is in the Cloud for Intranet

Why Microsoft Introduced this Project

SharePoint is Microsoft’s document management and collaboration tool. Seeing that the Intranet was the focal point of many organizations, Microsoft introduced SharePoint for Intranet a couple of years ago as a place where employees could connect with each other and turn to for company news, information and content. It improved internal communication, reduced email overload, and created a forum for non-work related socialization. As part of the latest SharePoint updates, Microsoft introduced SharePoint in the cloud for Intranet, an innovative solution that offers companies a low-cost alternative to on-site deployment of Intranet.

Microsoft SharePoint in the Cloud for Intranet

With the cloud based Intranet that SharePoint provides, users can upload files to OneDrive for Business, an online document library, and access them anywhere. It’s also very easy to use. Michael Feather, Head of Business Change at the Family Business Society, said, “the simplicity means our employees can communicate quickly without being snowed under by email.” And because it’s a web platform, anyone in the organization can access the files and collaborate. In other words, this efficient and secure document management system allows users to plan automated document creation workflows in which changes pass on from contributor to contributor until the review process is complete. Apart from this peer-to-peer collaboration process, traditional top-down communication directives, in which managerial hierarchy and the methodical transfer of information is emphasized, is also allowed.

                                                                                  Image Source: fpweb.net

Some of the other features included are search capabilities, client management system (CMS), news, employee directories, personalization options, team collaboration spaces, blogs, wikis, and more. It’s also bundled with Office 365 applications, so integration of Microsoft SharePoint with other Office 365 applications creates an easy way to export and share data. It’s scalable, so it can expand or retract as needed, and included in the latest SharePoint updates is a mobile app that allows users to stay connected to important information and people from the company Intranet, on the go.

Advantages of SharePoint for Intranet in the Cloud

An advantage of SharePoint for Intranet in the Cloud is hybrid deployment, in which secure information remains on premise while everyday and low-security files move to the cloud. This offers a huge benefit for large-scale enterprise information management  because it can take over backups and recovery duties, greatly reducing dependency on third-party solutions. And because files are in the cloud, shared documents are easy to access remotely and no time is wasted searching for emails or internal documents on a central network drive.

    Image Source: fpweb.net 

One of the biggest advantages of Microsoft SharePoint in the cloud is its customizability. You of course have the option of making use of the out-of-box offerings, but by designing it for your business with user experience in mind, you can make it visually pleasing by incorporating your brand’s designs and logo, elevate the visibility of commonly used applications, websites and pages to create easy and simple navigation, and customize how and when your organization receives new SharePoint updates and features. Moreover, you can customize your company’s Intranet in the cloud with corporate goals in mind to streamline the whole process.

The Takeaway

The latest SharePoint updates integrating an organization’s Intranet to the cloud are a much needed upgrade for our modern and cloud-based society. It’s especially useful now that MediaRich features SharePoint 2016. For those who don’t know, MediaRich ECM is the only Digital Asset Management system for SharePoint, and provides tools that enhance SharePoint and allows for the creation of high-performing visual management platforms. So if you want to be able to view almost any file type and not waste time or bandwidth downloading it, go for SharePoint in the cloud for Intranet with MediaRich ECM.

Microsoft SharePoint Is in the Cloud for Intranet

Posted by Sophina Dillard No comments

Why Microsoft Introduced this Project

SharePoint is Microsoft’s document management and collaboration tool. Seeing that the Intranet was the focal point of many organizations, Microsoft introduced SharePoint for Intranet a couple of years ago as a place where employees could connect with each other and turn to for company news, information and content. It improved internal communication, reduced email overload, and created a forum for non-work related socialization. As part of the latest SharePoint updates, Microsoft introduced SharePoint in the cloud for Intranet, an innovative solution that offers companies a low-cost alternative to on-site deployment of Intranet.

Microsoft SharePoint in the Cloud for Intranet

With the cloud based Intranet that SharePoint provides, users can upload files to OneDrive for Business, an online document library, and access them anywhere. It’s also very easy to use. Michael Feather, Head of Business Change at the Family Business Society, said, “the simplicity means our employees can communicate quickly without being snowed under by email.” And because it’s a web platform, anyone in the organization can access the files and collaborate. In other words, this efficient and secure document management system allows users to plan automated document creation workflows in which changes pass on from contributor to contributor until the review process is complete. Apart from this peer-to-peer collaboration process, traditional top-down communication directives, in which managerial hierarchy and the methodical transfer of information is emphasized, is also allowed.

                                                                                  Image Source: fpweb.net

Some of the other features included are search capabilities, client management system (CMS), news, employee directories, personalization options, team collaboration spaces, blogs, wikis, and more. It’s also bundled with Office 365 applications, so integration of Microsoft SharePoint with other Office 365 applications creates an easy way to export and share data. It’s scalable, so it can expand or retract as needed, and included in the latest SharePoint updates is a mobile app that allows users to stay connected to important information and people from the company Intranet, on the go.

Advantages of SharePoint for Intranet in the Cloud

An advantage of SharePoint for Intranet in the Cloud is hybrid deployment, in which secure information remains on premise while everyday and low-security files move to the cloud. This offers a huge benefit for large-scale enterprise information management  because it can take over backups and recovery duties, greatly reducing dependency on third-party solutions. And because files are in the cloud, shared documents are easy to access remotely and no time is wasted searching for emails or internal documents on a central network drive.

    Image Source: fpweb.net 

One of the biggest advantages of Microsoft SharePoint in the cloud is its customizability. You of course have the option of making use of the out-of-box offerings, but by designing it for your business with user experience in mind, you can make it visually pleasing by incorporating your brand’s designs and logo, elevate the visibility of commonly used applications, websites and pages to create easy and simple navigation, and customize how and when your organization receives new SharePoint updates and features. Moreover, you can customize your company’s Intranet in the cloud with corporate goals in mind to streamline the whole process.

The Takeaway

The latest SharePoint updates integrating an organization’s Intranet to the cloud are a much needed upgrade for our modern and cloud-based society. It’s especially useful now that MediaRich features SharePoint 2016. For those who don’t know, MediaRich ECM is the only Digital Asset Management system for SharePoint, and provides tools that enhance SharePoint and allows for the creation of high-performing visual management platforms. So if you want to be able to view almost any file type and not waste time or bandwidth downloading it, go for SharePoint in the cloud for Intranet with MediaRich ECM.

What is Microsoft 'Feature Pack' for SharePoint

Image Source: products.office.com

When Microsoft released the SharePoint Server this year, the team understood they were just laying out the foundation. They wanted SharePoint to be tested and edited so that it could improve.  The new Microsoft Feature Pack SharePoint 2016 are the enhancements users have been waiting for. They have made these new additions to help drive innovation and productivity for your business. The latest SharePoint updates made by Microsoft are truly user-centric because they took the direct advice given to them by users for these updates. Here is a run-down of what the Microsoft Feature Pack is and what these new improvements mean for your brand. 
The Microsoft SharePoint 2016 Application sought to make collaboration and productivity better through cloud based technology. The newly released Feature Pack has put forward all the feedback given by consumers to create an even better platform for your business. It includes new features for administration and puts user experience at the forefront of the operation. These upgrades give you more flexibility when it comes to keeping track of your data, managing your business, and interacting with others. 

New Capabilities for Admin 

Administrators spend large amounts of time dealing with the nuts and bolts of the business. What the Microsoft Feature Pack SharePoint 2016 aims to do is to help admin in their daily tasks by adding more detailed logging of their actions. Bill Baer, who is the senior product manager for SharePoint writes, “We have added logging around key SharePoint administrative actions performed either through the SharePoint Server 2016 Central Administration website or through the SharePoint Server 2016 Management Shell.” Their goal is to make troubleshooting less troublesome by providing a more comprehensive history of your actions.  

Hybrid Auditing

This is another feature that gives administrators the ability to gain detailed insight as to what’s going on in their businesses. Hybrid Auditing gives administrators the ability to access multiple reports and dashboards in Office 365, which are produced from SharePoint 2016 Preview. These reports are based on on-premise diagnostic and usage logs so you can view patterns you business’ SharePoint server farm. 

                                                           Image Source: blogs.office.com 

Benefits of this feature

The new MinRole enhancements are just what users have been asking for. Previously, MinRole was created to service larger farm topologies but with the new update, you can access these benefits on a smaller scale. Instead of eight servers being the requirement for a high availability MinRole configuration, the Feature Pack allows you to do the same thing with just four server roles. They have been optimized for small and medium sized farms because of the additions of Front-end Distributed with Cache and Application with Search. With this new update, the Microsoft Feature Pack SharePoint 2016 now services a wide range of sizes with MinRole farms. 

                                                              Image Source: blogs.office.com 

User Experience for Business

Being able to store, manage, and edit your work files all in one place while sharing them with your team makes OneDrive for Business a key feature in Office 365 and SharePoint Server. The new Microsoft Feature Pack SharePoint 2016 allows you to add a little more personality to your work by creating your own custom tiles. They can lead to anything your business wants from already existing apps in Microsoft SharePoint and Office 365 to external sites. These customizable tiles help make your work easier because you can edit the tiles according to the unique needs of your business. 

In a Nutshell 

The Microsoft team understands that innovation is an ongoing process, which requires updating. These enhancements are to help make the individual actions of your business easier by providing you with more options and capabilities. The Feature Pack 1 is a response to the initial advice given by users to help make SharePoint a better tool for your brand. 

1. Administrators now have detailed action logging 
2. They are also given access to multiple reports and dashboards for better insight 
3. MinRoles were created for small to medium sized farms
4. Customizable tiles for users 

What is Microsoft 'Feature Pack' for SharePoint

Posted by Sophina Dillard No comments

Image Source: products.office.com

When Microsoft released the SharePoint Server this year, the team understood they were just laying out the foundation. They wanted SharePoint to be tested and edited so that it could improve.  The new Microsoft Feature Pack SharePoint 2016 are the enhancements users have been waiting for. They have made these new additions to help drive innovation and productivity for your business. The latest SharePoint updates made by Microsoft are truly user-centric because they took the direct advice given to them by users for these updates. Here is a run-down of what the Microsoft Feature Pack is and what these new improvements mean for your brand. 
The Microsoft SharePoint 2016 Application sought to make collaboration and productivity better through cloud based technology. The newly released Feature Pack has put forward all the feedback given by consumers to create an even better platform for your business. It includes new features for administration and puts user experience at the forefront of the operation. These upgrades give you more flexibility when it comes to keeping track of your data, managing your business, and interacting with others. 

New Capabilities for Admin 

Administrators spend large amounts of time dealing with the nuts and bolts of the business. What the Microsoft Feature Pack SharePoint 2016 aims to do is to help admin in their daily tasks by adding more detailed logging of their actions. Bill Baer, who is the senior product manager for SharePoint writes, “We have added logging around key SharePoint administrative actions performed either through the SharePoint Server 2016 Central Administration website or through the SharePoint Server 2016 Management Shell.” Their goal is to make troubleshooting less troublesome by providing a more comprehensive history of your actions.  

Hybrid Auditing

This is another feature that gives administrators the ability to gain detailed insight as to what’s going on in their businesses. Hybrid Auditing gives administrators the ability to access multiple reports and dashboards in Office 365, which are produced from SharePoint 2016 Preview. These reports are based on on-premise diagnostic and usage logs so you can view patterns you business’ SharePoint server farm. 

                                                           Image Source: blogs.office.com 

Benefits of this feature

The new MinRole enhancements are just what users have been asking for. Previously, MinRole was created to service larger farm topologies but with the new update, you can access these benefits on a smaller scale. Instead of eight servers being the requirement for a high availability MinRole configuration, the Feature Pack allows you to do the same thing with just four server roles. They have been optimized for small and medium sized farms because of the additions of Front-end Distributed with Cache and Application with Search. With this new update, the Microsoft Feature Pack SharePoint 2016 now services a wide range of sizes with MinRole farms. 

                                                              Image Source: blogs.office.com 

User Experience for Business

Being able to store, manage, and edit your work files all in one place while sharing them with your team makes OneDrive for Business a key feature in Office 365 and SharePoint Server. The new Microsoft Feature Pack SharePoint 2016 allows you to add a little more personality to your work by creating your own custom tiles. They can lead to anything your business wants from already existing apps in Microsoft SharePoint and Office 365 to external sites. These customizable tiles help make your work easier because you can edit the tiles according to the unique needs of your business. 

In a Nutshell 

The Microsoft team understands that innovation is an ongoing process, which requires updating. These enhancements are to help make the individual actions of your business easier by providing you with more options and capabilities. The Feature Pack 1 is a response to the initial advice given by users to help make SharePoint a better tool for your brand. 

1. Administrators now have detailed action logging 
2. They are also given access to multiple reports and dashboards for better insight 
3. MinRoles were created for small to medium sized farms
4. Customizable tiles for users