Jan 2 (Enhancement) News Center will now let you categorize news by a metadata tag
You can now make it so News Center pulls news categories based on a metadata tag from your Site Pages library.
For example: below Announcements category can be set so only pages tagged as “Announcements” will show:
You can set up any metadata tag you like and define almost any filter you like, check out the steps in this article below to learn how: News Center web part
Jan 4 (Enhancement) Finder and Search Banner sources can now be Document Library URLs or Document Library View URLs
We simplified how the Finder and Search Banner web parts read source libraries.
These web parts will no longer support referencing libraries by Document Library Title 
.
The accepted source will be Document Library URL 
or Document Library View URL .
Example of which Finder and Search Banner sources are acceptable:
If you’re using Finder version prior to Jan 4, 2025 (or and Search Banner prior to Jan 6, 2025) and considering upgrade, please note below upgrade steps.
- Before taking the upgrade, take an inventory of each Finder and Search Banner instances you’re using–you will need to update source referenced to use URLs as shown above.
- After taking the upgrade, go through each instance of the Finder and Search Banner changing the source from referencing Document Library Title → to referencing Document Library URL.
More information about the Finder: Finder (for Forms & Templates)
More information about the Search Banner: Search Banner Web Part
Jan 4 (Enhancement) Finder can now categorize documents based on library metadata and not just folders
You can now make it so the Finder groups documents based on a metadata or a view (not just folders).
For example: below All Staff Pages button, when clicked, will show documents from a library view which can filters documents based on metadata:
You can even mix and match libraries and views and users can search across all of the sources without leaving the same spot!
More information about the finder: Finder (for Forms & Templates)
Jan 6 (Enhancement) Quick Links Plus will show links in a slider format when placed in smaller sections
To speed up user access to quick links, the web part will show like this if placed in one column section. This is the same view the web part uses on a smartphone.
Jan 6 (Enhancement) Search Banner gets more background image options
You can now select background image easier, clear the background image and able to adjust image position as needed with these options.
Jan 6 (Enhancement) Search Banner can now categorize documents based on library metadata and not just folders
You can now make it so the Search Banner groups documents based on a metadata or a view (not just folders).
For example: below All Staff Pages button, when clicked, will show documents from a library view which can filters documents based on metadata:
You can even mix and match libraries and views and users can search across all of the sources without leaving the same spot!
More information about the Search Banner: Search Banner Web Part
Jan 10 (New web part) LinkedIn Feed in your SharePoint
You can now show your company’s LinkedIn feed on your SharePoint pages!
Desktop view:
Mobile view:
More about the LinkedIn Feed web part: LinkedIn Feed web part for SharePoint
Jan 13 (Enhancement) Calendar can now show events in the month you're viewing
We added a new option to the Calendar web part properties:
When on, the calendar will show you events from the month you’re viewing instead of having to use date picker to select dates:
Jan 15 (Enhancement) Search Banner now has option to disable document previews
You can now turn off document preview using this toggle in Search Banner web part properties:
