A good prompt should be easy to use and hard to misunderstand. This update to the Copilot Widget adds a method that lets admins force a context selector in a prompt, so users can pick the right document or person before Copilot starts working.

Prompts that guide users

From the user side, it feels simple and guided. Users pick a prompt from the widget, for example Summarize a document. In the input field, they see the prompt text with a clear placeholder, and when they click into that spot, the widget immediately opens a selector so they can choose the right file. The menu lets users browse and search, and it separates results into Files and People, so selecting the right context is quick and easy. Once the right item is selected, the prompt is ready to run and users can focus on the outcome instead of explaining what Copilot should look at.

A cleaner way for admins to build prompts

Prompts can now include a placeholder in square brackets for readability, for example: Summarize a document: [file]. The text inside the brackets is just a label. When the user clicks the prompt, the widget inserts a slash and opens the context menu, so the user can select the right file or person.

A small detail that makes prompts feel smarter

Better prompts lead to better results. And when selecting context is this easy, Copilot becomes a lot more useful in everyday work.

A quick glance at your day should tell you what matters next. We have renamed the Upcoming Meetings Widget to the Calendar Widget, and it now offers more ways to view your schedule, better configuration, and stronger admin control over which calendars are available. In this article, we explain what we added and how it keeps planning simple.

More calendar views when you need them

The widget now supports Day, Work week, Week, and Month view. That means you can zoom in for today’s meetings or zoom out to plan the rest of the week, without leaving your board.

You can also switch between Calendar, Timeline, and List view. Some roles like the calendar grid, others prefer a clean list, and timeline is great when you want to see the flow of the day at a glance. Choose what fits your way of working.

Split view for extra overview

We added Split view to give you more context while planning. It helps you keep an overview of your schedule without constantly switching back and forth between views.

Small widget, full calendar in one click

If the widget is placed on a board in a compact size, you can now open the full view instantly using the dialog pop out button in the widget header. It is a quick jump from glance mode to planning mode.

In Day view, you now also see previous meetings, while the widget automatically scrolls to the current or upcoming meeting when it loads. You get context, but you still land exactly where you need to be.

Better user settings and familiar colors

The user configuration has been improved so you can select additional calendars more easily. Add what you need, leave out what you do not, and keep the view focused.

Calendars can also be color coded. If you already set colors in Outlook, we reuse them automatically. That keeps things familiar and makes it easier to scan multiple calendars.

Admin controls that keep things tidy

Admins can now configure which calendars are available in the widget. You can offer a selection of calendars users can choose from, or push a calendar to make sure a specific calendar is available by default.

This is especially useful when a certain audience or role should see shared calendars, without giving everyone a long list of options they will never use.

A calendar widget that fits how people work

With more views, easier configuration, color support, and stronger admin control, the Calendar Widget becomes a better companion for day to day planning. Fewer clicks, clearer choices, and a schedule that is easier to read.

Availability

We will roll out this update during the week from February 23 to February 27.

Company updates should keep you informed, not keep you busy. In this article, we explain what we added to the News Widget to make news more focused and easier to follow. Users can now follow tags that matter to them. Pick what you want to see more often, and the widget brings together news that matches those tags. Less noise, more relevance, and a feed that fits your role.

Users will notice the difference right away. News items can display tag labels on the cards, making it easier to scan what an item is about before opening it. Once users follow specific tags, the widget starts prioritizing and aggregating the news that matches those selections, so the feed feels more personal without losing the important updates.

Users can follow tags by opening the widget settings and selecting the tags they want to add, or remove. The News Widget then updates automatically, keeping the feed aligned with what the user actually wants to see. Some tags may be marked with a lock icon, showing they are mandatory and cannot be removed. This keeps the rules transparent, while still giving users room to personalize what they follow.

For admins: connect term sets and guide what users follow

Admins can connect a SharePoint term set to the News Widget, so the same taxonomy used to tag news becomes the foundation for following tags. This keeps tagging consistent and makes governance easier, because there is one central place where tags are managed.

Admins can also define which tags are preselected and which are mandatory. That means critical communication can stay visible, while users still get the freedom to follow what is most useful for their day to day work.

You can also combine this new tag based approach with the existing way of selecting and following sites. Depending on your organization’s needs, you can choose one method, or use both together. Some customers prefer site based selection for clear ownership and structure, while others use tags to fine tune what users see across multiple sources.

Built for communicators who want reach without overload

If you manage internal communication, you know the balancing act. You want key updates to land, while also keeping people engaged. Tag following makes that easier. When news is tagged consistently, the right messages reach the right audiences through aggregation, without sending everything to everyone.

Mandatory tags protect visibility for must read updates. Optional tags help different roles discover the content that matters to them. The result is a news experience that feels more personal for users, and more structured and maintainable for the people shaping the message.

Availability in production

To wrap it up, this update will be available in production in the first week of January, so you can start using tag following, preselected tags, and mandatory tags to make workplace news more relevant right away. A tidy news feed is a pretty great way to kick off the new year.

Admins, we’ve heard you. When it comes to managing boards at scale, you want control without complexity and more flexibility when it comes to widget behavior and layout consistency. That’s exactly what this update delivers.

This feature will be available to all Ichicraft Boards admins in the last week of November.

Widget restrictions, now per board template

Until now, setting widget restrictions like preventing users from moving, resizing, or deleting widgets meant using pushed widgets. The downside? Those restrictions applied across all board templates. That worked for some use cases, but not when different user groups needed different levels of freedom.

With this update, you can now define widget restrictions visually within the board template editor. Just open the widget settings within the board template and toggle restrictions like Move, Resize, or Delete, depending on what makes sense for that specific board. It’s simple, intuitive, and gives you template-level precision.

Different board templates can now be tailored to fit the needs of each persona, audience, or role.

Keep layout in sync when it matters

Another major improvement: admins can now choose to sync the board layout from a template to the user’s board. This is helpful when you want to realign the structure, for example after updating the template with a better column setup or an improved visual layout.

The sync is completely optional. If you only want to apply updated restrictions and leave the user’s layout untouched, a regular save is enough. That way, you can update behavior without altering the design.

Here’s the smart part. The user’s personal settings inside each widget remain unchanged. Any extra widgets the user added are still available, now displayed below the synced layout. You get a consistent structure without removing personalization.

Built for flexibility, not friction

This update gives admins more control while keeping the user experience smooth, familiar, and personal. You can now fine-tune restrictions, apply different setups per template, and bring back layout alignment when needed, without disrupting what users care about most.

Smarter boards, fewer headaches. Just the way we like it.

The Files Widget is all about helping people get to the files they need—quickly, clearly, and without the clutter. And with the latest round of updates, it just got a whole lot smarter. Here’s what’s new.

Save any location as a tab

Need quick access to a specific site, document library, or folder? Now you can save any location as a tab right at the top of the Files Widget. It's a simple way to create your own shortcuts to important spots—without having to browse every time.

Whether it’s a project folder you visit daily or a shared library your team relies on, just pin it as a tab and it’s always right where you need it.

Admins can pre-configure file tabs for users

Not everyone wants to hunt down the right folder—so why not do the heavy lifting up front?

Admins can now pre-configure tabs with a specific folder as the starting point. Whether it’s a folder for HR policies, department templates, or onboarding docs, you can give users a clear path from the start. And of course, all existing targeting options still apply—so only the right people see the right content.

This keeps the Files Widget clean, purposeful, and personalized—without overwhelming users with irrelevant links.

Smarter file creation with templates

You’ve probably already seen the Office template integration in the Files Widget, allowing users to start new documents based on company-approved templates. That part’s not new—but here’s what is.

We’ve added support to check for required metadata in the target location when creating a file. If there’s any missing required information, the user will be notified immediately. That way, files aren’t created with incomplete data, and everyone stays in sync with governance rules.

It’s a small detail, but a powerful one—and it keeps your content structured and compliant from the very first click.

Less friction, more focus

These updates are all about giving users faster access, fewer clicks, and more control—while keeping things organized and governed in the background. Whether you’re managing a large enterprise or supporting smaller teams, the Files Widget adapts to how your people work best.

Simple. Smart. And a bit more human. Just the way we like it.

We added Saved searches to the Search widget in Ichicraft Boards. You can store a search together with its filters and run it again with one click. This helps when you return to the same topics often, for example “Agreements in Draft” or “Recent Knowlegde Base Articles".

How to save a search

Saved searches remember your query and all filters you applied, including time range, file types, sites, and anything set in the results view. To create one, run a search, apply your filters, select Save search, give it a clear title, and save. It appears in the Searches panel on the left so you can reopen it anytime with the query and filters preloaded for quick review or refinement.

Use it from a board

When you add the Search widget to a board, you can choose how it should appear.

• Results shows the live results list immediately.

• Searches shows your saved searches for quick access.

Selecting a saved search in the widget opens the search dialog with the query and filters already filled in. You stay in context on your board and can adjust or run the search right away.

Tips

Give saved searches short, descriptive names so they are easy to spot in the list. If you use different filters for the same topic, create separate saved searches. For example “marketing past year” and “marketing this quarter”.

This update is available now in Ichicraft Boards and is a good fit for teams that track recurring topics or need to check the same information on a regular basis.

The Files widget has become even more powerful—bringing new options that help both users and admins organize, upload, and access content more efficiently.

Add custom columns

Admins can now display custom columns in the Files widget. This means you can surface key metadata from your SharePoint libraries—such as status, owner, or custom tags—directly in the view. It gives you more control over how content is presented, making it easier for users to understand what they’re looking at without needing to open each file.

Open file locations in a dialog

Navigating to a file’s location no longer pulls you out of context. With this update, you can now open file locations in a dialog, making it easier to explore folders or find related documents—without losing your place on the board.

New context menus for sites and drives

Sites and drives now come with an improved context menu, allowing you to open the location in a dialog, launch it in a new browser tab, or quickly copy a link. These options make it easier to manage and share content in the way that works best for you.

Upload files with drag and drop

Need to add a file quickly? You can now upload files by simply dragging them onto the widget. This small but welcome improvement removes unnecessary steps and helps you keep your board up to date with the latest documents in seconds.

These updates are part of our ongoing work to make working with files in Ichicraft Boards faster, more flexible, and better aligned with the way your organization works. More enhancements are already on the way.

We’ve rolled out a set of powerful improvements to help administrators better tailor the experience in Ichicraft Boards. These updates give you more control, more flexibility, and more predictability when setting up how users interact with their digital workplace.

More personal boards, more flexibility

Configuration packages now support multiple personal boards per package. This makes it possible to combine different use cases or layouts in a single package, while still allowing end users to select their preferred board as a starting point.

Full control over board templates

You can now define exactly which board templates are available when users create a new personal or shared board. Whether you’re guiding users with a few curated templates or offering the full library—it’s all up to you.

Push exactly what you need

You can now define to which personal boards the pushed widgets should be applied. This gives you precise control over where specific content appears automatically.

One default for everyone

Each environment now includes a default configuration package for “Everyone.” It sits at the lowest priority, cannot be deleted, and ensures that every user has a baseline experience. Of course, it’s fully configurable.

Don’t push it if you don’t need it

Sometimes a board template should be available—but not automatically filled with widgets. We’ve added an option to disable pushed widgets for each board template, giving you a cleaner starting point where needed.

These updates are designed to make managing Ichicraft Boards even easier and more effective—so you can deliver a digital workplace that works for everyone.

Let us know how you're using these new options or if you need help getting started.

We’re introducing a powerful new addition to Ichicraft Boards: the Copilot widget. This new widget brings Microsoft 365 Copilot, SharePoint-based agents, and Copilot Studio agents directly into your personal digital workplace. It puts AI-driven support right alongside your apps, tasks, news, and other daily tools — making it easier to get help, create content, or ask questions in context.

Start a Conversation with an AI Agent

The Copilot widget allows users to interact with one or more AI agents — either directly from the board or from the Buddy Bar in the top right corner.

Depending on how the widget is configured, users may have access to different agents — such as a general Copilot, a department-specific assistant, or one tailored to specific roles or tasks.

With just one click, users can:

• Launch an agent in a full-screen dialog using the Agent Launcher

• Open an interactive chat directly inside the board

• Use predefined prompts to quickly get information or generate output

Whether it’s asking “What’s on my calendar today?” or “Summarize this document,” users can stay focused and get AI support right where they work.

For Admins: Configure Agents, Layouts, and Visibility

Admins have full control over how the Copilot widget is configured and used across the organization. You can add one or more agents to a board, whether they are built with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, or Copilot Studio. This allows you to tailor the experience to different roles, departments, or business processes.

You can also decide how the widget appears by selecting a default layout. The Agent Launcher layout allows users to open an agent in a full-screen dialog. The Chat layout embeds the conversation directly into the board, while the Prompts layout displays a list of predefined actions or questions users can run with a single click.

In addition, you can control which users or groups see specific agents by configuring visibility settings. If you want to standardize the experience across teams, you can push predefined agents or templates to selected boards.

Another useful feature is the option to define a default prompt that runs automatically when a board loads. This can be used, for example, to show a daily agenda or provide a helpful starting point when users begin their day.

This level of flexibility allows admins and product owners to create targeted, helpful AI experiences — all within the familiar context of Ichicraft Boards.

Integration with the Workplace

The Copilot widget fits naturally into your board, right alongside your existing tools — and can also be launched from the Buddy Bar in the top-right corner.

This makes it easy to start your day, work through your tasks, or explore insights — all without leaving the workspace.

Availability

A first experimental version of the Copilot widget will be available at the beginning of August.

This version is intended to help teams explore how AI agents can support their daily routines in Ichicraft Boards. We’ll continue to develop the widget based on usage and feedback.

Managing workspaces in Ichicraft Boards is now even easier and more flexible. Our latest update introduces the ability to copy and move widgets between boards and duplicate entire boards — making it much faster to organize, update, and replicate digital workspaces.

Copy Widgets Between Boards

The new Copy feature makes it easy to reuse widgets across different boards. When you copy a widget, its configuration and settings are preserved, allowing you to quickly recreate useful layouts without rebuilding them from scratch. This is ideal when you want to maintain consistency across multiple boards or when setting up new boards based on existing content.

Move Widgets Between Boards

The new Move feature helps you reorganize your boards efficiently. Moving a widget transfers it from one board to another, keeping all its original settings intact. This is especially useful when restructuring boards or when consolidating information without the need to delete and manually reconfigure widgets.

Both the Copy and Move functionalities streamline workspace management and provide greater flexibility for users and administrators alike.

Duplicate Entire Boards with One Click

Need a new board based on an existing one? You can now duplicate an entire board — including all widgets, settings, and layouts — in just a few clicks.

This feature is perfect for:

• Creating department-specific or team-specific versions of a board
• Setting up personal boards based on a shared template

• Experimenting with changes without affecting the original board

Duplicating boards reduces setup time and ensures consistency across workspaces, while still giving users room to personalize when needed.

Improved Board Library for Users

The Board Library has been updated to give users more insight into the shared boards available within their organization. You can now easily see who manages each shared board. This makes it clearer who to contact if you have questions, need changes, or want to suggest improvements for a board.

Improved Board Library in the Admin Center

Managing shared boards has become even more straightforward with improvements to the Board Library in the Admin Center:

• See who is currently working on a draft. If someone is editing a draft version of a board, administrators can now see who is making changes. This helps avoid conflicts or duplicate work.

• View board owners, visitors, and push settings. You can now easily access all key information about who owns a board, who can visit it, and whether it is being pushed to users.

• Manage access rights, duplicate, and delete shared boards directly from the Board Library. This gives admins full control without needing to navigate into each board separately.

All these improvements are now available in Ichicraft Boards.

They are designed to save time, offer more flexibility to users, and give administrators more control over managing the digital workplace.