Starting next month, a new Microsoft 365 app will replace the current Office app. This was confirmed by the company during its Microsoft Ignite conference.
This will change some of the Microsoft 365 or Office applications as we know them so far, for example by automatically putting the most used commands on the taskbar.
Although Ignite Conference is aimed at Microsoft business customers, most non-business Microsoft users will also be able to take advantage of what’s new in Office.
Microsoft described the new Microsoft 365 app as an “evolution” of the same functionality used by the existing Microsoft Office app, serving as a gateway to the various Office apps and documents.
There will be three new features, which change part of the existing interface: a feed with the files that your colleagues share, an applications module which will redesign this gateway to Microsoft 365 applications, and labels.
Microsoft describes labels as an “intuitive new way for users to organize their work”, and it looks like users will be able to “tag” (with the @ symbol) files and other users in Outlook.
Microsoft has also advanced a new personal toolbar in the Office app for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that will smartly add the commands you use most.
With the Personal Toolbar, users will save time by having their most used commands available and accessible when they need them, eliminating the need to search and click through tabs.
Some of these new AI features will only be available in specific apps.
Outlook, for example, uses what Microsoft calls Context IQ to tag people and files. Now, Microsoft will copy this same functionality so that it can be used in Microsoft Editor.
Until now, Microsoft Editor suggested what to share and with whom, along with smart meeting scheduling, grammar suggestions, and more.
Also, Microsoft has argued that the Editor will have three new features: pitch control, or “suggestions”; a function provides a summary of a long text document; and another that will identify phrases with a lot of verbiage.
Microsoft also teased a new, updated Loop interface, which it announced in late 2021. It’s still in private preview, Microsoft confirmed.
Finally, Microsoft has introduced a new app called Places, which looks set to replace hybrid office scheduling services like Tribeloo.
Coming soon to preview, Places will provide a view of who will be in the office and when, as well as a signal to let your colleagues know where you are physically located, as well as intelligent conference room booking.
