Tag Archives: microsoft
Automation of load testing (JMeter script) using Azure DevOps release Pipeline (Continuous testing)
Content
Objective
Create Repos and add JMeter script
Create a service connection
Create a key vault
Create a Variable Group in Azure DevOps
Steps to Setup Release Pipeline
Objective
We are using JMeter to test how an application handles concurrent users. We want to run this JMeter script automatically at regular intervals without human involvement. When we use Azure Pipelines for Continuous testing, there is a reduction in the risk of errors that can happen when a human performs a process repetitively. Also, this helps us to detect issues sooner by running tests automatically.
Diagram
Scenario
Credentials should be stored in the Azure Key Vault and that is where it should be retrieved each time the load testing runs. In this case, there is access token for the API calls, which should be generated every 24 hours.
Create Repos and add JMeter script
Upload the JMeter script that has worked in GUI mode. Curl command to generate the access token is embedded in the script. The client id and client secret should not be hard coded in the script and are substituted with a variable name. Inside the script, the portion where client id/secret is assigned is replaced by a function with variable name (substitute of client id/secret) as its parameter.
Create Service Connection
To connect Azure Pipelines to Azure Key Vault (in Azure Portal), we create service connection and specify the service principal. “Service Connection” is a configuration that securely stores information required to connect and authenticate to external services or resources. The service principal specifies the resources and the access levels that are available over the connection.
Create a key vault and Grant Azure DevOps Access to Key Vault
In Azure Portal, create a key vault by providing a name, subscription, resource group and location for the vault. To access the data from the vault, provide permissions to the above service principal for authentication in the pipeline. Once the service is provisioned, select the key vault and add the new secret.
Create a Variable Group in Azure DevOps
To integrate an Azure Key Vault with your Azure DevOps pipeline using a service account, and create a variable group for secrets, follow these steps:
In Azure DevOps, go to ‘Pipelines’ > ‘Library’.
Click ‘+ Variable Group’. Name your variable group.
Link to an Azure Key Vault and select your subscription and the Key Vault.
Select ‘Authorize’ to connect Azure DevOps to your Key Vault.
Choose the secrets from your Key Vault to add to the variable group.
Steps to Setup Release Pipeline
To create the release pipeline, go to Releases page from the left menu of Azure DevOps then click on New pipeline button.
Select “Azure Repos Git” as source, Team project, Repository & Branch details as required and click Continue. After that select “Empty Job” as template. Specify Pipeline Name & Agent Pool.
Add an artifact & connect Azure repository – Empty Job.
When release creation is opened, Azure automatically adds a stage. Add tasks in the stage
Add JMeter – Install JMeter.
Add CommandLine. (CommandLine should have instructions to run the selected JMeter file, link the ClientID/secret secured in Azure Key Vault to the script and store the results of the load test in downloadable option.)
Add Upload Release Artifact
Save pipeline. Configure schedules on pipelines. Scheduling can be done using the schedule option near the artifact.
Create pipeline release and execute
Download logs and check the report.
JMeter script (In the above figure, this refers to place marked as “2”)
Bearer ${AuthAccessToken}
client_id=${__P(variable1,)}
client_secret=${__P(variable2,)}
Azure DevOps release Pipeline-> Stages -> Tasks -> CommandLine Script (In the above figure, this refers to place marked as “4”)
jmeter -Jvariable1=$(ABCD_ClientId) -Jvariable2=$(ABCD_ClientSecret) -n -t
$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/path_to_dir/loadTestscript.jmx -l
$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/path_to_dir /LoadTestResults.jtl -e -o
$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/path_to_dir/LoadTestReports
Problem:
Ours is a special scenario where the secrets are to be stored in AzureKeyVault instead of ADO variables.
While there is an online solution for automating JMeter load test in AzureDevOps, solution for the above specific scenario is not present over online. Online sources suggest using ApacheGroovy functions inside JMeter script for encryption when using ADO variable for secret storage. This did not work in our Windows environment plus we need credentials to be stored in Azure Key Vault.
Why do we insist on Azure Key Vault? Azure Key Vault offers better security and easy access management, and ADO variable groups offer the benefit of reusability of variable and easy maintenance.
Solution:
This solution was done by a combination of the method to call the variables (to hold secret) in 2 places:
inside JMeter script
Azure DevOps release Pipeline-> Stages -> Tasks -> CommandLine Script
Content
Objective
Create Repos and add JMeter script
Create a service connection
Create a key vault
Create a Variable Group in Azure DevOps
Steps to Setup Release Pipeline
Objective
We are using JMeter to test how an application handles concurrent users. We want to run this JMeter script automatically at regular intervals without human involvement. When we use Azure Pipelines for Continuous testing, there is a reduction in the risk of errors that can happen when a human performs a process repetitively. Also, this helps us to detect issues sooner by running tests automatically.
Diagram
Scenario
Credentials should be stored in the Azure Key Vault and that is where it should be retrieved each time the load testing runs. In this case, there is access token for the API calls, which should be generated every 24 hours.
Create Repos and add JMeter script
Upload the JMeter script that has worked in GUI mode. Curl command to generate the access token is embedded in the script. The client id and client secret should not be hard coded in the script and are substituted with a variable name. Inside the script, the portion where client id/secret is assigned is replaced by a function with variable name (substitute of client id/secret) as its parameter.
Create Service Connection
To connect Azure Pipelines to Azure Key Vault (in Azure Portal), we create service connection and specify the service principal. “Service Connection” is a configuration that securely stores information required to connect and authenticate to external services or resources. The service principal specifies the resources and the access levels that are available over the connection.
Create a key vault and Grant Azure DevOps Access to Key Vault
In Azure Portal, create a key vault by providing a name, subscription, resource group and location for the vault. To access the data from the vault, provide permissions to the above service principal for authentication in the pipeline. Once the service is provisioned, select the key vault and add the new secret.
Create a Variable Group in Azure DevOps
To integrate an Azure Key Vault with your Azure DevOps pipeline using a service account, and create a variable group for secrets, follow these steps:
In Azure DevOps, go to ‘Pipelines’ > ‘Library’.
Click ‘+ Variable Group’. Name your variable group.
Link to an Azure Key Vault and select your subscription and the Key Vault.
Select ‘Authorize’ to connect Azure DevOps to your Key Vault.
Choose the secrets from your Key Vault to add to the variable group.
Steps to Setup Release Pipeline
To create the release pipeline, go to Releases page from the left menu of Azure DevOps then click on New pipeline button.
Select “Azure Repos Git” as source, Team project, Repository & Branch details as required and click Continue. After that select “Empty Job” as template. Specify Pipeline Name & Agent Pool.
Add an artifact & connect Azure repository – Empty Job.
When release creation is opened, Azure automatically adds a stage. Add tasks in the stage
Add JMeter – Install JMeter.
Add CommandLine. (CommandLine should have instructions to run the selected JMeter file, link the ClientID/secret secured in Azure Key Vault to the script and store the results of the load test in downloadable option.)
Add Upload Release Artifact
Save pipeline. Configure schedules on pipelines. Scheduling can be done using the schedule option near the artifact.
Create pipeline release and execute
Download logs and check the report.
JMeter script (In the above figure, this refers to place marked as “2”)
Bearer ${AuthAccessToken}
client_id=${__P(variable1,)}
client_secret=${__P(variable2,)}
Azure DevOps release Pipeline-> Stages -> Tasks -> CommandLine Script (In the above figure, this refers to place marked as “4”)
jmeter -Jvariable1=$(ABCD_ClientId) -Jvariable2=$(ABCD_ClientSecret) -n -t
$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/path_to_dir/loadTestscript.jmx -l
$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/path_to_dir /LoadTestResults.jtl -e -o
$(System.DefaultWorkingDirectory)/path_to_dir/LoadTestReports
Problem:
Ours is a special scenario where the secrets are to be stored in AzureKeyVault instead of ADO variables.
While there is an online solution for automating JMeter load test in AzureDevOps, solution for the above specific scenario is not present over online. Online sources suggest using ApacheGroovy functions inside JMeter script for encryption when using ADO variable for secret storage. This did not work in our Windows environment plus we need credentials to be stored in Azure Key Vault.
Why do we insist on Azure Key Vault? Azure Key Vault offers better security and easy access management, and ADO variable groups offer the benefit of reusability of variable and easy maintenance.
Solution:
This solution was done by a combination of the method to call the variables (to hold secret) in 2 places:
inside JMeter script
Azure DevOps release Pipeline-> Stages -> Tasks -> CommandLine Script Read More
Understanding Row Groups
I am very new to SSRS. I have inherited some reports. They have existing row groups which give the output of, where do I find the definitions of the current groups (System and Sample Date/Time)? I’ve looked at the Details_Group and see nothing defined. I am wanting to add the grouping to Unit first, then System, then Sample Date/Time.
I am very new to SSRS. I have inherited some reports. They have existing row groups which give the output of, where do I find the definitions of the current groups (System and Sample Date/Time)? I’ve looked at the Details_Group and see nothing defined. I am wanting to add the grouping to Unit first, then System, then Sample Date/Time. Read More
no se instala una actualizacion
hola buenas tardes, tengo inconvenientes con la actualizacion Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Insider Preview (10.0.26120.1252) (KB5038603).
queda cargando y no se descarga ni se instala
hola buenas tardes, tengo inconvenientes con la actualizacion Cumulative Update for Windows 11 Insider Preview (10.0.26120.1252) (KB5038603). queda cargando y no se descarga ni se instala Read More
QuickBook𝙨 File Doctor Won’t Open – Need Help!
I’ve been trying to open QuickBook𝙨 File Doctor to fix some company file issues, but every time I try to launch the application, it won’t open. Has anyone else encountered this issue with QuickBook𝙨 File Doctor not opening? If so, what steps did you take to resolve it? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I’ve been trying to open QuickBook𝙨 File Doctor to fix some company file issues, but every time I try to launch the application, it won’t open. Has anyone else encountered this issue with QuickBook𝙨 File Doctor not opening? If so, what steps did you take to resolve it? Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Read More
Custom fields in Email confirmation
Hello,
I would like to include one of the custom fields in the email confirmation. At this point I dont think it is possible in bookings, unless I am terribly missing something obvious.
Thanks!
Hello,I would like to include one of the custom fields in the email confirmation. At this point I dont think it is possible in bookings, unless I am terribly missing something obvious. Thanks! Read More
Excel not sorting numbers correctly
I have what I hope is a simple problem – all that I need is for excel to sort numbers numerically. Instead, it is sorting them 1, 10, 11 … 19, 2, 20, etc.
I’ve tried pasting my raw data as values, I’ve tried converting to number, I’ve tried =CLEAN, =TRIM, =SUBSTITUTE, I’ve tried pasting just the numbers as values, none of it is working. When I do =ISNUMBER, it keeps coming back false no matter what I try.
My function for Stop (clean) is =CLEAN(TRIM(SUBSTITUTE(C2,CHAR(160),””)))
I have what I hope is a simple problem – all that I need is for excel to sort numbers numerically. Instead, it is sorting them 1, 10, 11 … 19, 2, 20, etc.I’ve tried pasting my raw data as values, I’ve tried converting to number, I’ve tried =CLEAN, =TRIM, =SUBSTITUTE, I’ve tried pasting just the numbers as values, none of it is working. When I do =ISNUMBER, it keeps coming back false no matter what I try.My function for Stop (clean) is =CLEAN(TRIM(SUBSTITUTE(C2,CHAR(160),””))) Read More
Inactivating some of the builtin Microsoft Sensitive Information Types / SITs?
In Purview’s CONTENT EXPLORER we see all 300+ built-in Microsoft SITs being discovered – about 2/3 of which aren’t relevant to my org (i.e. identification numbers, social welfare numbers, passport numbers, revenue numbers, etc. from other countries – PNG attached with a few of them highlighted).
Is there any way to inactivate or NOT search for/identify these irrelevant SITs?
In Purview’s CONTENT EXPLORER we see all 300+ built-in Microsoft SITs being discovered – about 2/3 of which aren’t relevant to my org (i.e. identification numbers, social welfare numbers, passport numbers, revenue numbers, etc. from other countries – PNG attached with a few of them highlighted).Is there any way to inactivate or NOT search for/identify these irrelevant SITs? Read More
Shared / Shift Mobile Phone
Hi All
I hope you are well.
Anyway, is it possible to deploy a config that allows for a Mobile Phone to be shared amongst shift users?
Does Entra Shared Device Mode cover this scenario?
Info appreciated.
Stuart
Hi All I hope you are well. Anyway, is it possible to deploy a config that allows for a Mobile Phone to be shared amongst shift users? Does Entra Shared Device Mode cover this scenario? Info appreciated. Stuart Read More
Teams calendar help
Hello
Please i need your help on this issue.
Need to add an event to a teams calendar without sending notifications to all members
Hello Please i need your help on this issue. Need to add an event to a teams calendar without sending notifications to all members Read More
Generally Available: Transition to WS2012 / R2 ESUs enabled by Azure Arc from Volume Licensing
Customers that have enrolled in WS2012/ R2 ESUs through Volume Licensing for Year 1 can transition to Azure Arc for Year 2 of the program. Extended Security Updates afford customers with critical security patches for end of support Windows Server 2012/R2 machines. ESUs are available at no additional cost to customers running on Azure VMs or Azure Stack HCI. For customers running on-premises or other public clouds, WS2012/R2 ESUs are a paid offer.
The WS2012/R2 ESUs enabled by Azure Arc affords key advantages compared to ESUs through Volume Licensing including:
Pay as you Go flexibility to scale down WS2012 ESU consumption consumptively as customers migrate workloads to Azure and modernize affording flexibility.
Ability to apply Azure Discounting with the decrement of a Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitment (MACC) affording significant financial benefits.
Azure management capabilities including Azure Update Manager, Azure Change Tracking and Inventory, and Azure Machine Configuration are available at no additional cost.
For enrollment, customers must specify their Year 1 Volume Licensing entitlement, indicating their Invoice Id (Invoice Number) to reflect their MAK Key entitlement at the time of Azure Arc WS2012 / R2 ESU license provisioning. This is available directly in the Azure portal with the current experience for Create an Extended Security Updates license. Programmatically, customers can use Azure CLI to generate new licenses, specifying the new Volume License Details parameter in az connectedmachine license | Microsoft Learn their Year 1 Volume Licensing entitlements by entering their respective Invoice Numbers. Customers must explicitly specify the Invoice Id (Number) in their license provisioning for Azure Arc.
Customers that make this indication in their license creation will not be back billed for Year 1 of Extended Security Updates, with billing to commence from the start of Year 2 of Windows Server 2012/R2 Extended Security Updates. Customers do not need to deactivate existing MAK Keys or unenroll from ESUs through Volume Licensing to enroll in WS2012/R2 ESUs enabled by Azure Arc. See enrollment steps at Deliver Extended Security Updates for Windows Server 2012 – Azure Arc | Microsoft Learn. After reviewing Azure Arc and licensing terms, connect your servers to Azure Arc, provision new WS2012/R2 ESU licenses in Azure portal specifying Volume Licensing entitlements, and link your servers to these licenses for enrollment. With just three months until the end of Year 1, the time is now to transition to WS2012/R2 Extended Security Updates enabled by Azure Arc.
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Default Authentication Policy – does not apply to mailboxes where AuthenticationPolicy = $null
I need to verify this in another tenant, but I’ve always assumed as per the docs that if an authentication policy is not set on a mailbox, that it assumes the policy that is set as the default org policy. However, I’ve just had a user being password sprayed from the usual countries via SMTP, evidenced in the sign-in logs (lots of ‘failed’ entries). The users auth policy was null. I then set the auth policy to the ‘default’ (which was already set as the default in the org settings) and this appears to have stopped the SMTP sign-in attempts. Can anyone verify this? Has there been a change to the behaviour? Any insights appreciated.
I need to verify this in another tenant, but I’ve always assumed as per the docs that if an authentication policy is not set on a mailbox, that it assumes the policy that is set as the default org policy. However, I’ve just had a user being password sprayed from the usual countries via SMTP, evidenced in the sign-in logs (lots of ‘failed’ entries). The users auth policy was null. I then set the auth policy to the ‘default’ (which was already set as the default in the org settings) and this appears to have stopped the SMTP sign-in attempts. Can anyone verify this? Has there been a change to the behaviour? Any insights appreciated. Read More
Multiparty private offers now available in the UK and Canada
Multiparty private offers, which allows partners to co-sell through the marketplace framework, are now available in the United Kingdom and Canada, in addition to the United States.
The cloud marketplace opportunity is projected to reach $45 billion by next year, with a third of this revenue driven by channel partners. Microsoft’s ecosystem includes over 500,000 partners, and Microsoft is focused on enhancing collaborative selling. Multiparty private offers enable channel partners to procure solutions on behalf of customers, streamlining the sales process and counting the entire purchase towards a customer’s Azure consumption commitment. This approach not only maximizes customer investments but also encourages larger transactions, with sales involving multiparty private offers averaging double the size of standard private offers.
The process of creating and executing multiparty private offers involves collaboration between ISV and channel partners to identify the right solution and negotiate terms. The ISV extends a private offer to the channel partner, who then adds their details to create a multiparty private offer. The channel partner presents the offer to the customer, who accepts and purchases it as they would a private offer from an ISV. For Azure consumption commitment customers, eligible purchases contribute towards their commitment. Microsoft handles the payment collection and ensures partners are compensated.
Channel partners can resell an ISV’s solution—provided they operate within a qualified geographic region. Currently, multiparty private offers are available to customers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. There are plans to extend the availability to more regions—starting with Western Europe and Japan in the near future.
To learn more about the expansion of multiparty private offers, check out this blog: Activating the ecosystem: marketplace multiparty private offers expand to new regions
Have you already sold or are planning to sell through multiparty private offers? Comment below to share your feedback!
Multiparty private offers, which allows partners to co-sell through the marketplace framework, are now available in the United Kingdom and Canada, in addition to the United States.
The cloud marketplace opportunity is projected to reach $45 billion by next year, with a third of this revenue driven by channel partners. Microsoft’s ecosystem includes over 500,000 partners, and Microsoft is focused on enhancing collaborative selling. Multiparty private offers enable channel partners to procure solutions on behalf of customers, streamlining the sales process and counting the entire purchase towards a customer’s Azure consumption commitment. This approach not only maximizes customer investments but also encourages larger transactions, with sales involving multiparty private offers averaging double the size of standard private offers.
The process of creating and executing multiparty private offers involves collaboration between ISV and channel partners to identify the right solution and negotiate terms. The ISV extends a private offer to the channel partner, who then adds their details to create a multiparty private offer. The channel partner presents the offer to the customer, who accepts and purchases it as they would a private offer from an ISV. For Azure consumption commitment customers, eligible purchases contribute towards their commitment. Microsoft handles the payment collection and ensures partners are compensated.
Channel partners can resell an ISV’s solution—provided they operate within a qualified geographic region. Currently, multiparty private offers are available to customers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. There are plans to extend the availability to more regions—starting with Western Europe and Japan in the near future.
To learn more about the expansion of multiparty private offers, check out this blog: Activating the ecosystem: marketplace multiparty private offers expand to new regions
Have you already sold or are planning to sell through multiparty private offers? Comment below to share your feedback!
Read More
Using functions to calculate hours in an Excel schedule
Hello, I’m going to try to explain what I’m looking for, so please be patient as I’m not particularly well versed in function commands for Excel. I am attempting to optimize a work schedule template that we use Excel for so that it calculates the hours an employee works in a given week. In the mock up below, I want to be able to calculate the total hours an employee works (let’s say John, for example) in a week, despite them working a variety of days/hours (New York, Boston, etc.). I’m trying to get Excel to search for all instances of John’s name in the chart from D4 to H21 and calculate the value of each cell that his name appears in. So in this example, John works an 8 hour New York run, an 8 hour Boston run, a 6 hour LA run, a 6 hour New Orleans run and a 5 hour Philadelphia run. I want to try to get the red box next to his name to display the total 33 hours that he worked for the week. I believe the SUMIF function will help me accomplish this, but so far when I attempt this with a function template I found on another forum (=SUMIF(D4:H21,”John”,C4:C21), I get only the Mondays work for some people and 0’s for others. I’m not entirely sure what the issue is here, or if I’m just asking too much of Excel. Hopefully I’ve explained this coherently and any input here would be very helpful. Thank you.
Hello, I’m going to try to explain what I’m looking for, so please be patient as I’m not particularly well versed in function commands for Excel. I am attempting to optimize a work schedule template that we use Excel for so that it calculates the hours an employee works in a given week. In the mock up below, I want to be able to calculate the total hours an employee works (let’s say John, for example) in a week, despite them working a variety of days/hours (New York, Boston, etc.). I’m trying to get Excel to search for all instances of John’s name in the chart from D4 to H21 and calculate the value of each cell that his name appears in. So in this example, John works an 8 hour New York run, an 8 hour Boston run, a 6 hour LA run, a 6 hour New Orleans run and a 5 hour Philadelphia run. I want to try to get the red box next to his name to display the total 33 hours that he worked for the week. I believe the SUMIF function will help me accomplish this, but so far when I attempt this with a function template I found on another forum (=SUMIF(D4:H21,”John”,C4:C21), I get only the Mondays work for some people and 0’s for others. I’m not entirely sure what the issue is here, or if I’m just asking too much of Excel. Hopefully I’ve explained this coherently and any input here would be very helpful. Thank you. Read More
Simulating Multiple Reviewers to Collate Changes in a Document
I have a very long document in which I’m tracking multiple discrete batches of changes, and I’d like to be able to effectively turn one or more batches on or off by assigning a “reviewer” to each batch of changes and then using “Show Markup -> Specific People” to select which I want to see.
My problem is I can’t figure out how to simulate different users when making batches of changes from the same account. Any ideas?
I have a very long document in which I’m tracking multiple discrete batches of changes, and I’d like to be able to effectively turn one or more batches on or off by assigning a “reviewer” to each batch of changes and then using “Show Markup -> Specific People” to select which I want to see. My problem is I can’t figure out how to simulate different users when making batches of changes from the same account. Any ideas? Read More
Filter working and then only partially working
I have been using filters on my spreadsheet and they were working fine and then all of a sudden it would only partially work – for example, I have a row that I have drop down options: Ok, To Query, Queried, Resolved. If I filtered the row to find only OK, when it is partially working, it would include all the ‘OK’s, but then some Queried, etc.
I couldn’t figure out why this was happening so I made a new spreadsheet and copied everything over. Again, it was working all fine for a while, and then all of a sudden it stopped filtering properly again.
I am not sure what is happening.
I have attached a screenshot of the specific row in my spreadsheet – it is filtered on OK
I have been using filters on my spreadsheet and they were working fine and then all of a sudden it would only partially work – for example, I have a row that I have drop down options: Ok, To Query, Queried, Resolved. If I filtered the row to find only OK, when it is partially working, it would include all the ‘OK’s, but then some Queried, etc. I couldn’t figure out why this was happening so I made a new spreadsheet and copied everything over. Again, it was working all fine for a while, and then all of a sudden it stopped filtering properly again. I am not sure what is happening. I have attached a screenshot of the specific row in my spreadsheet – it is filtered on OK Read More
Using Query Store to Capture PostgreSQL Performance in Azure Database | Data Exposed: MVP Edition
Capturing query metrics in PostgreSQL can be a challenge. Add in running that PostgreSQL database on Azure and things get even more challenging. However, Microsoft has a great addition to PostgreSQL when running in Azure Database, Query Store. This session will show the great query information available within the Query Store and how to query it.
Resources:
Query Store – Azure Database for PostgreSQL – Flexible Server
Using Azure Query Store to Understand PostgreSQL Performance
Query Store best practices – Azure Database for PostgreSQL – Flexible Server
About Grant Fritchey:
Grant Fritchey works for Red Gate Software as a Product Advocate. Grant has more than 30 years of experience in the industry as a DBA and developer. Grant has written many books including “SQL Server 2022 Query Performance Tuning”. Grant teaches classes on data management and databases to the smallest user groups and largest events, all around the world.
About MVPs:
Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community. They are always on the “bleeding edge” and have an unstoppable urge to get their hands on new, exciting technologies. They have very deep knowledge of Microsoft products and services, while also being able to bring together diverse platforms, products and solutions, to solve real world problems. MVPs make up a global community of over 4,000 technical experts and community leaders across 90 countries/regions and are driven by their passion, community spirit, and quest for knowledge. Above all and in addition to their amazing technical abilities, MVPs are always willing to help others – that’s what sets them apart. Learn more.
View/share our latest episodes on Microsoft Learn and YouTube!
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
Try out the new Copilot in Planner (preview) today in the new Microsoft Planner in Teams
We are excited to share that Copilot in Planner (preview) is now rolled out to 100% of users with a Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5 license* in Microsoft Planner in Teams. With the power of generative AI, Copilot in Planner streamlines the planning, management, and execution of your work, keeping you informed as you achieve your goals.
Over the last few weeks as we started rolling out Copilot in Planner we’ve received tremendous feedback from early users. Thank you! We value your feedback and have been incorporating it into product improvements. Recent updates include:
• The ability to return to previous chats and improved reliability in answering questions about progress, due dates, and assignments
• Enhancements in adding subtasks and linking tasks to buckets and goals
• New suggested prompts to highlight question and answer capabilities
In the coming weeks, users can expect the ability to build a plan – including goals, buckets, and a work breakdown – with a single prompt.
Explore Copilot in Planner (preview) for planning, managing, and tracking projects:
• Planning: Copilot assists teams in setting goals, breaking down work, and generating tasks, goals, and buckets based on user prompts, facilitating the creation of a comprehensive project plan.
• Effective Execution: Copilot helps streamline processes, identify next steps, and break down large tasks. It manages collaboration, tracks new goals, and identifies workload issues among team members.
• Tracking Progress: Copilot aids in tracking complex plans by quickly surfacing necessary information about progress, priorities, and workload, ensuring teams stay informed and on track.
Get started
If you already have a Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5 license, you can preview Copilot in Planner capabilities*.
If you do not have a Project license, you can request a free 30-day trial. Simply click on the diamond icon within the Planner app in Teams where you can begin your free 30-day trial of advanced capabilities of Planner including Copilot in Planner or proceed with requesting a premium license.
Share your feedback
You can share feedback through the new Planner app in Teams directly. You can also send us your feedback via the Planner Feedback Portal.
Here is how you can share your feedback directly from within the new Planner app.
Resources
• Explore the new Day in the Life guides to use Planner and Copilot for individual task management, collaborative work management and project management.
• Watch the new Planner demos for inspiration on how to get the most out of the new Planner app in Microsoft Teams.
• Bookmark the new Planner adoption website
• We’ve got a lot more ‘planned’ for the new Planner this year! Stay tuned to the Planner Blog – Microsoft Community Hub for news.
• For Planner feature updates, visit the Microsoft 365 roadmap here
• Learn about Planner and Project plans and pricing here
• Read the FAQs here
Requirements
In general, Copilot supports the following languages for prompts: Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish. We plan on to add more languages to Copilot and will update as additional languages are supported.
* While final pricing for Copilot in Planner has not been announced, users with a Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5 license can preview Copilot in Planner capabilities.
Microsoft Tech Community – Latest Blogs –Read More
OWA loop after Exchange 2019 enabling Extended Protection
Has anyone encountered before?
Scenario
Exchange environment is Exchange 2016 & Exchange 2019.Exchange 2016 – Extended Protection not enabledExchange 2019 – Extended Protection enabled.User mailbox is residing in Exchange 2019 User attempt to login via OWA (FBA) on Exchange 2016 When login, the page keeps looping back to the logon screen.
Error in httproxy owa logs: WebExceptionStatus=ProtocolError;ResponseStatusCode=401;WebException=System.Net.WebException: The remote server returned an error: (401) Unauthorized.
Attempted to login to both OWA & ECP via OWA on Exchange 2019 – successful.
Has anyone encountered before?ScenarioExchange environment is Exchange 2016 & Exchange 2019.Exchange 2016 – Extended Protection not enabledExchange 2019 – Extended Protection enabled.User mailbox is residing in Exchange 2019 User attempt to login via OWA (FBA) on Exchange 2016 When login, the page keeps looping back to the logon screen.Error in httproxy owa logs: WebExceptionStatus=ProtocolError;ResponseStatusCode=401;WebException=System.Net.WebException: The remote server returned an error: (401) Unauthorized. Attempted to login to both OWA & ECP via OWA on Exchange 2019 – successful. Read More
Using the Rules exception “is on a recipient’s supervision list”
In our tenant, I want to quarantine all inbound mail from gmail.com except for approved senders. Currently I do this with a Rule with an Exception:
Except if | The sender | is this person
Users send me exception email addresses that I manually enter.
I notice that there is another option for The Sender called “is on a recipient’s supervision list” I don’t fully understand the Microsoft documentation on this option. It says: Messages where the sender is on the recipient’s Allowlist or Blocklist. Does this mean each user can enter the desired exception email address(es) into their Outlook (desktop client) Allow / Block lists?
Any help to clarify is greatly appreciated.
In our tenant, I want to quarantine all inbound mail from gmail.com except for approved senders. Currently I do this with a Rule with an Exception:Except if | The sender | is this person Users send me exception email addresses that I manually enter.I notice that there is another option for The Sender called “is on a recipient’s supervision list” I don’t fully understand the Microsoft documentation on this option. It says: Messages where the sender is on the recipient’s Allowlist or Blocklist. Does this mean each user can enter the desired exception email address(es) into their Outlook (desktop client) Allow / Block lists?Any help to clarify is greatly appreciated. Read More
When checkbox selected, enter specific value into spreadsheet
Greetings,
I have a userform that contains multiple checkboxes that, when checked, I would like to enter “Y” or “N” into a spreadsheet. I’m getting an error when I use an IF statement on line 18 below and am not sure why.
Any assistance would be appreciated as I have numerous checkboxes on various forms that will obviously cause an issue moving forward.
Thanks!
With Sheets(“TIER ACCESS”)
‘copy and pasted into “Sheet2” on the last row without text.
lr = .Range(“A” & Rows.Count).End(3).Row + 1
.Range(“A” & lr).Value = FirstName.Value & ” ” & LastName.Value ‘ USER NAME
.Range(“B” & lr).Value = OPSEmail.Value ‘ PASSWORD
.Range(“C” & lr).Value = OPSEmail.Value ‘ EMAIL ADDRESS
.Range(“D” & lr).Value = Date & ” ” & Time ‘ DATE USER ADDED
.Range(“E” & lr).Value = Sheets(“HOME PAGE”).Range(“M3”).Value ‘ USER ADDED BY
.Range(“F” & lr).Value = “Yes” ‘ ACTIVE USER
.Range(“G” & lr).Value = “TIER 1” ‘ USER TIER
.Range(“H” & lr).Value = “PURGE, ADD, MODIFY” ‘ CLIENT PROFILE PERMISSIONS
.Range(“I” & lr).Value = “NO PERMISSIONS” ‘ NON-CLIENT PROFILE PERMISSIONS
.Range(“J” & lr).Value = “N” ‘ UserAccess
.Range(“K” & lr).Value = “N” ‘ TIER ACCESS WS
.Range(“L” & lr).Value = “N” ‘ LIST WS
.Range(“M” & lr).Value = “N” ‘ CLIENTS WS
.Range(“N” & lr).Value = “Y” ‘ CLIENT PROFILES WS
.Range(“O” & lr).Value = if DTTCheckBox.Value = true then “Y” ‘ DTT WS
.Range(“P” & lr).Value = “Y” ‘ TECHNOLOGY WS
.Range(“Q” & lr).Value = “Y” ‘ UNIFORM WS
.Range(“R” & lr).Value = “Y” ‘ LiDAR & RADAR WS
.Range(“S” & lr).Value = “Y” ‘ VEHICLES WS
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
Greetings, I have a userform that contains multiple checkboxes that, when checked, I would like to enter “Y” or “N” into a spreadsheet. I’m getting an error when I use an IF statement on line 18 below and am not sure why. Any assistance would be appreciated as I have numerous checkboxes on various forms that will obviously cause an issue moving forward. Thanks! With Sheets(“TIER ACCESS”)
‘copy and pasted into “Sheet2” on the last row without text.
lr = .Range(“A” & Rows.Count).End(3).Row + 1
.Range(“A” & lr).Value = FirstName.Value & ” ” & LastName.Value ‘ USER NAME
.Range(“B” & lr).Value = OPSEmail.Value ‘ PASSWORD
.Range(“C” & lr).Value = OPSEmail.Value ‘ EMAIL ADDRESS
.Range(“D” & lr).Value = Date & ” ” & Time ‘ DATE USER ADDED
.Range(“E” & lr).Value = Sheets(“HOME PAGE”).Range(“M3”).Value ‘ USER ADDED BY
.Range(“F” & lr).Value = “Yes” ‘ ACTIVE USER
.Range(“G” & lr).Value = “TIER 1” ‘ USER TIER
.Range(“H” & lr).Value = “PURGE, ADD, MODIFY” ‘ CLIENT PROFILE PERMISSIONS
.Range(“I” & lr).Value = “NO PERMISSIONS” ‘ NON-CLIENT PROFILE PERMISSIONS
.Range(“J” & lr).Value = “N” ‘ UserAccess
.Range(“K” & lr).Value = “N” ‘ TIER ACCESS WS
.Range(“L” & lr).Value = “N” ‘ LIST WS
.Range(“M” & lr).Value = “N” ‘ CLIENTS WS
.Range(“N” & lr).Value = “Y” ‘ CLIENT PROFILES WS
.Range(“O” & lr).Value = if DTTCheckBox.Value = true then “Y” ‘ DTT WS
.Range(“P” & lr).Value = “Y” ‘ TECHNOLOGY WS
.Range(“Q” & lr).Value = “Y” ‘ UNIFORM WS
.Range(“R” & lr).Value = “Y” ‘ LiDAR & RADAR WS
.Range(“S” & lr).Value = “Y” ‘ VEHICLES WS
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “”
‘ .Range(“” & lr).Value = “” Read More