In partnership with
Hey everyone — it’s John from On The Pulse.
How are you all doing this week?
In this week’s edition of On The Pulse, we’ll give you our top 5 tips for password security, and show you how to turn Microsoft Teams into a Password Vault.
This week’s topics include:
📊 New Grid Features for Excel on the Web
🔄 Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Now Support ODF 1.4
✨ Build Loop Pages With Copilot Prompts
Let’s Go!👇
Also — I’d love to hear what you think of On The Pulse. Whether you love it or hate it, or there’s something new you’d like to see included, hit “reply” and share your thoughts!
✉️ TOP STORIES (WITH OUR INSIGHTS)
📊 New Grid Features for Excel on the Web
New features in the web version of Excel allow users to easily add new rows and columns, resize multiple rows and columns, and drag rows and columns to new positions.
Full Story and Our Insights:
There are some new features for the web version of Excel that makes it easier for users to manage tables.
Add Rows and Columns
To add a new row or column, hover over the row (1, 2, 3…) or column (A, B, C…) header.
You will see two circles; one on either side of the column, or at the top or bottom of the row.
Example: if you want to add a row above the selected row, hover over the top circle until it turns into a + plus, and click it.
Drag Multiple Rows or Columns
Click and drag to select multiple rows (1,2,3…) or columns (A,B,C…).
Hover over the selected rows’ or columns’ headers, then click and drag the six dots of any of the selected rows or columns.
Resize Multiple Rows or Columns
Click and drag to select multiple rows (1,2,3…) or columns (A,B,C…).
Hover between any of the selected rows or columns until you see the resize icon, indicated by an up and down arrow.
Click and drag the resize icon to resize the row or column, and all the selected rows and columns will be resized.
Learn how to make AI work for you.
AI breakthroughs happen every day. But where do you learn to actually apply the tech to your work? Join The Rundown — the world’s largest AI newsletter read by over 600,000 early adopters staying ahead of the curve.
The Rundown’s expert research team spends all day learning what’s new in AI
They send you daily emails on impactful AI tools and how to apply it
You learn how to become 2x more productive by leveraging AI
🔄 Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Now Support ODF 1.4
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents can now be saved in OpenDocument Format (ODF) 1.4, enabling several benefits outlined in the following report.
Full Story and Our Insights:
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint now support OpenDocument Format (ODF) 1.4. This update means files saved in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will now use the ODF 1.4 format, and while older ODF files can still be opened, they will be saved in the new format.
How to Save in ODF 1.4:
Open or create a file in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
Go to “File” > “Save As.”
Select the appropriate ODF format:
OpenDocument Text (*.odt) in Word
OpenDocument Spreadsheet (*.ods) in Excel
OpenDocument Presentation (*.odp) in PowerPoint.
New Features in ODF 1.4:
Word:
Tables in shapes
Lists starting from zero
Non-overlapping images and shapes
Full number list formats
Odd and even page breaks
Additional writing modes for certain languages
Decorative objects for accessibility
Excel:
Adjustments for error values
Save color filter settings
Improved text direction for 90° rotation
Decorative objects for accessibility
PowerPoint:
Slide numbering from zero
Rotated text direction in table cells
Decorative objects for accessibility
Availability:
Windows: Version 2404 (Build 17531.20078) or later
Mac: Version 16.84 (Build 24041420) or later
✨ Build Loop Pages With Copilot Prompts
A new feature for Loop, currently available for Insiders, allows users to create pages from text prompts using Copilot.
Full Story and Our Insights:
Coming soon to Microsoft Loop is the ability for users to create pages based on text prompts with Copilot. You will have the option to build the page based on an existing page as a template, or start from scratch.
If you’re interested in getting Copilot for your Microsoft 365 apps, you can check the pricing at Microsoft.com.
To add Copilot to your Microsoft 365 account, head to the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Go to “Show all” > “Billing” > “Purchase services.”
Click “Select a billing account” and select a billing account.
Search for “Copilot.”
If your billing account is connected to a Microsoft 365 account that can add Copilot, you will see “Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365” in the results. To check which accounts can add Copilot, click here.
Click “Details” under “Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365” where you will be able to buy the product.
To deploy Copilot to users, go to “Billing” > “Licenses,” select “Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365” and assign licenses.
🕟 TOP 5 TIPS FOR PASSWORD SECURITY
Password Statistics You Should Know
Over 60% of Americans reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
44% of users rarely change their passwords.
53% of IT professionals share passwords via email, posing security risks.
65% of US respondents distrust password managers.
Poor passwords contribute to 81% of corporate data breaches, and stolen credentials account for 80% of hacking incidents.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) can prevent 96% of bulk phishing attacks and 76% of targeted attacks.
Top 5 Tips for Password Security
Tip 1: Use Strong, Unique Passwords:
Create passwords that are long (at least 12 characters) and include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
Avoid using easily guessable information like names, birthdays, or common words.
Tip 2: Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Add an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone or an authentication app.
Tip 3: Use a Password Manager:
Utilise a password manager to generate, store, and manage strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts.
This reduces the need to remember multiple passwords and helps prevent password reuse.
Password Manager | Link | Rating |
|---|---|---|
#1 Keeper | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
#2 Bitwarden | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
#3 Nordpass | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Tip 4: Regularly Update Passwords:
Change your passwords periodically, especially for sensitive accounts.
Immediately update passwords if you suspect any account has been compromised.
Tip 5: Avoid Sharing Passwords:
Do not share passwords via email, text, or other unsecure methods.
Use secure sharing features of password managers if you need to share passwords with trusted individuals.
How to Turn Microsoft Teams into a Password Vault
If you’re using Microsoft Teams, and you need a secure place to store passwords to collaborative tools, then you can leverage Microsoft’s private channel architecture.
Microsoft Teams uses data encryption, auditing through content search and eDiscovery, and if your organisation is using Multi Factor Authentication (MFA), there’s an added layer of protection.
Although dedicated password managers are optimal places to store consequential login credentials, Microsoft Teams is secure enough for passwords where the risk of compromise is low.
Step 1 - Create a Team called “Password Vault” or similar.
Step 2 - Create a private channel in the Password Vault for a specific login credential. For example, if you are sharing the login details to Trello, call the private channel “Trello” or similar.
Step 3 - Manage access to the private channel so that only certain users can view and copy the password.
Watch the full video here:
✅ WRAPPING UP!
That’s all for this edition of On The Pulse.
Thanks for reading and see you soon! 👋