MC846391 – (Update) Microsoft SharePoint: Feed for Viva Connections web part and Video news link retires starting September 1, 2024

Product:

Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Viva Connections, Microsoft Viva Engage, SharePoint

Platform:

Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

Change type:

Admin impact, Retirement, Updated message, User impact

Links:

Details:

Summary:
Starting September 1, 2024, Microsoft SharePoint will retire the Feed for Viva Connections web part and Video news link, with support ending on November 5, 2024. Site editors should replace these with recommended alternatives before the latter date to avoid content display issues.

Details:
Updated October 10, 2024: We have updated the content. Thank you for your patience.
As communicated in MC846391 Microsoft SharePoint: Feed for Viva Connections web part and Video news link retires starting September 1, 2024 (August 2024), this is a reminder that we will start the second phase of retiring the Feed for Viva Connections web part and the Video news link on November 5, 2024.
We will begin retiring the Feed for Viva Connections web part and the Video news link on September 1, 2024.
On September 1, 2024, we removed the Feed for Viva Connections web part from the toolbox. Also, we will remove the Video news link from the + New menu in the organizational site. Site editors will not be able to add a new feed for Viva Connections web part to a site or embed new video links to the Viva Connections feed.
On November 5, 2024, we will end support for feed for the Viva Connections web part and the Video news link. Site editors are encouraged to use the web parts News, Viva Engage, File and Media, and Highlighted content, as well as video pages as alternative solutions.
Note: Any Feed for Viva Connections web parts that have not been replaced with the recommended alternative solutions by November 5, 2024, will result in an empty web part that no longer displays content or any Video news links that have not been removed. Visitors to the site will instead see an error message.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:

Created:
2024-08-02

updated:
2024-10-11

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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MS workload name

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Content Display Issues
If site editors do not replace the Feed for Viva Connections web part and Video news link before the retirement date, users will see an empty web part or error messages instead of content.
   - roles: Site Editors, SharePoint Admins
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/feed-web-part-video-news-link-retirement, https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/use-feed-web-part-for-viva-connections#what-is-the-feed-for-viva-connections-web-part

User Experience Degradation
Users will experience a degraded experience with missing content and error messages, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
   - roles: End Users, Site Editors
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/feed-web-part-video-news-link-retirement, https://support.microsoft.com/office/use-the-news-web-part-on-a-sharepoint-page-c2dcee50-f5d7-434b-8cb9-a7feefd9f165#bkmk_sitenews

Increased Support Requests
The retirement of these features without prior preparation may lead to an increase in support requests from users confused about the missing content.
   - roles: IT Support Staff, SharePoint Admins
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/feed-web-part-video-news-link-retirement, https://support.microsoft.com/office/create-video-pages-on-sharepoint-7823449f-e2cc-48d2-bda7-2ee82518958a

Documentation Updates Required
Existing documentation will need to be updated to reflect the changes, which may not be done in time, leading to misinformation.
   - roles: Site Editors, Content Managers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/feed-web-part-video-news-link-retirement, https://support.microsoft.com/office/use-a-viva-engage-web-part-in-sharepoint-a53cfa0c-3d09-42c8-a286-1038a81c59da#highlights

Training Needs
Users may require additional training on the new alternatives, which may not be provided in time, leading to confusion.
   - roles: Site Editors, End Users
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/feed-web-part-video-news-link-retirement, https://support.microsoft.com/office/use-a-viva-engage-web-part-in-sharepoint-a53cfa0c-3d09-42c8-a286-1038a81c59da#highlights

Configutation Options**

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Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Imagine your office has a bulletin board where you post important updates and videos for everyone to see. Now, let's say the company that made this bulletin board decides to stop making the pins and clips you use to attach your notes and videos. This means you'll need to find new ways to display your information, like using magnets or sticky notes instead.

This is similar to what's happening with Microsoft SharePoint's Feed for Viva Connections web part and Video news link. Starting September 1, 2024, these tools will no longer be available for use, and by November 5, 2024, they will no longer be supported. This means if you don't replace them with the recommended alternatives, your information won't be displayed, and visitors will see an error message instead.

Just like you'd switch to magnets or sticky notes for your bulletin board, SharePoint site editors should start using other web parts like News, Viva Engage, File and Media, and Highlighted content to ensure that all content is still visible to users. It's important to plan for this change and update your SharePoint sites accordingly, so everything continues to run smoothly without interruptions.

By making these updates, you ensure that your digital bulletin board remains effective and that your team continues to receive all the necessary information without any hiccups.