Microsoft 365 Community Conference Recap

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Missed the Microsoft 365 Community Conference 2025?

We’ve got you covered. In this episode of Ask Sympraxis, we break down our biggest takeaways and highlight key announcement. Whether you were there and want to compare notes, or couldn’t make it and need a quick, insightful recap - this is your chance to catch up on all the Microsoft 365 news and community buzz!

The Share dialog is getting a major refresh. Now, when you modify a sharing link, it updates the existing link rather than generating a new one - simplifying the process and avoiding confusion. Each object will now have a single default link, and the default scope will be “people with existing access,” which helps preserve permission inheritance. You’ll also be able to view and manage sharing permissions in bulk and create additional named links for specific needs. This is a big step forward in managing secure, consistent sharing across your tenant.

Forms on Document Libraries

A new feature we’re excited about is the ability to create flexible forms directly on document libraries - very similar to list forms. These forms will offer drag-and-drop layouts and support required metadata enforcement, meaning users won’t be able to submit until all necessary fields are completed. Best of all, users can upload documents without needing direct access to the library itself, preserving security while improving user experience. No firm ETA yet, but this will be a game-changer when released.

AutoFill column updates

AutoFill columns are evolving - and getting more accessible. Previously expensive and limited in use, AutoFill is moving into the pay-as-you-go space with dramatically reduced pricing ($0.005 per page). When you create a new AutoFill column, Microsoft 365 will now use AI to analyze the contents of your library and suggest columns you may want to include. This opens up smart, contextual tagging and content classification to more users at a much lower cost.

SharePoint Alerts retirement

Classic SharePoint alerts - the email notifications for changes to list or library items - are officially being retired starting July 2025. Microsoft recommends transitioning to Power Automate or SharePoint Rules for similar functionality. The CLI for Microsoft 365 includes an assessment tool to help locate and plan for migrating existing alerts. After July, new tenants will no longer support alerts, and by October, existing alerts will start to expire. Come July 2026, alerts will be fully decommissioned. Now’s the time to start planning for this shift.

AI Agents are the focus

Perhaps the biggest narrative shift at this year’s conference was the move away from “Copilot will change everything” to a more mature, focused conversation around AI Agents. Rather than a single solution, Copilot is now seen as an umbrella of tools - with specific agents like the Researcher and Analyst agents designed to support distinct use cases. These agents are beginning to demonstrate real, tenant-level value. Messaging is moving from hype to application - and that’s a welcome evolution.

Don’t believe the myth that search and information architecture are being replaced by AI. Instead, we’re seeing a convergence - the trifecta of search, IA, and AI working together to help users leverage information more effectively. As AI becomes more embedded in Microsoft 365, building a strong foundation with search and structure will continue to be critical.

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