If you’re a SharePoint enthusiast like me, you’re probably always keeping an eye out for new features that make designing, organising, and collaborating even better. There are some exciting new SharePoint updates just around the corner that I’ve been eagerly anticipating. These are the kinds of enhancements that can elevate your SharePoint experience and inspire new ideas for how we use this powerful platform.
Let’s dive into the highlights, starting with a few features we’ve been waiting on for a while and are finally becoming a reality.
1. SharePoint Pages Flexible Sections
One of the most exciting changes coming to SharePoint is Flexible Sections. These allow you to break free from traditional column structures and dynamically resize and move web parts for a fully customised look. This update means you can design pages with much more creativity and freedom, unlocking endless layout possibilities.
Why is this such a game-changer? It puts the design power back into the hands of users, letting you create modern, visually engaging pages that aren’t confined to rigid templates. You’ll also get reimagined section templates in the toolbox, making it even easier to start designing without needing to be a pro.
What I love:
- You can drag and drop web parts anywhere on the grid.
- Web parts will snap to the closest grid line for a clean layout.
- Non-card-based web parts (like Text and Images) can be resized to any width.
- You can multi-select, group, and rearrange overlapping web parts effortlessly.
This rollout starts in late January 2025 for Targeted Release and will be available to all users by mid-March 2025.
2. Microsoft SharePoint: New Editorial Card Web Part for Pages and News
Another favourite for me is a brand-new Editorial Card web part that is arriving soon. This feature lets you manually curate and showcase content in an engaging card format with advanced styling options.
Why it stands out:
Unlike automated web parts like News or Events, the Editorial Card gives designers complete control over what content is displayed and how it looks. This is a fantastic option for tailoring specific messages or creating visually striking layouts for important content.
Look for this rollout starting in late January 2025 for Targeted Release, with General Availability expected by mid-February.
3. Reimagined Hero Web Part with Carousel Layout
The Hero web part is getting a major facelift with the introduction of a Carousel layout. This new option adds a touch of dynamism to your pages with slideshow functionality, bold text, and calls to action. It’s perfect for drawing attention to key content and creating visually stunning page experiences.
Why I’m excited:
This update is a dream for anyone who wants to make their SharePoint pages more engaging. The new layout supports up to five slides, works with any section type, and even includes three brand-new styles. You can also use Stream videos within the Hero web part, making it a great way to highlight multimedia content.
Rollout for Targeted Release begins mid-January 2025, with General Availability expected in mid-February.
4. New Pay-As-You-Go Billing for Agents in SharePoint
Microsoft is introducing a pay-as-you-go (PayG) billing model for Agents in SharePoint, giving admins more flexibility in how they manage these services. This feature will allow organisations to pay based on usage via an Azure subscription, making it easier to budget for and scale as needed.
What’s great about this:
This change enables unlicensed users to use Agents on SharePoint sites or document libraries, respecting existing organisational controls. For admins, it’s a straightforward way to manage costs while still enabling collaboration and AI-powered tools like Copilot.
Rollout starts mid-January 2025. Admins should ensure their Azure subscription and resource group are ready to take advantage of this update.
5. New Accessibility Assistant Tool
Meeting accessibility standards has never been more critical, and SharePoint is stepping up with a new Accessibility Assistant Tool. This update will help content creators ensure that their pages and posts are inclusive, with accessibility checks and brief guidance available directly in the page editor.
What makes this tool special is that it doesn’t just highlight issues—it also supports you with practical fixes. Plus, it works with key web parts like Banner, Text, Image, Hero, and Quick Links, so you can ensure the most visible parts of your page are accessible to everyone.
Why this matters: Accessibility isn’t just a “nice-to-have” anymore—it’s an essential part of delivering content that reaches all users effectively. This tool is perfect for making accessibility part of your workflow without requiring extra effort or expertise.
The Accessibility Assistant begins rolling out to Targeted Release late January 2025, with General Availability following in mid-February
Wrap-Up
These updates show just how committed Microsoft is to making SharePoint an ever-evolving platform that meets the needs of users. Whether you’re excited about enhanced design options, accessibility improvements, or more flexible billing for advanced tools, there’s something here for everyone.
Which update are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear how you plan to use these features in your SharePoint sites!
Curious about how the new flexible sections on SharePoint pages work? Join my Patreon, and the moment it rolls out to my SharePoint tenant, I’ll share a detailed video walkthrough with you!
