Changes in Office 2013

 

Applies to: Office 2013, Office 365 ProPlus

Summary: Find out which features have been changed or removed since Office 2010 was released.

Audience: IT Professionals

You can use the following tables to find Office features that are changed or removed in Office 2013.

Important

Are you looking for information about new features in Office 2013? See What's new for IT professionals in Office 2013 and What’s new in Office 2013.

What’s changed or removed

Each of the following tables describes the changed or removed features for a specific Office product.

N/A = Not Available

The following table contains information about what's changed in Access 2013.

Access

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Access 2010 web database creation

Access

Fully removing the functionality

Access 2010 introduced Access web databases that allowed you to build web databases and publish them to a SharePoint site. SharePoint visitors could then use your database application in a web browser.

In Access 2013, you can open, design, and publish existing Access 2010 web databases, but you can’t create new Access 2010 web databases.

N/A

N/A

In Access 2013, you can create new Access web apps where the data and database objects are stored in SQL Server or a Azure SQL Database so that you can share the data within your organization using on-premises SharePoint 2013, Office 365 Small Business, or Office 365 Enterprise.

Access Data Projects (ADP)

Access

Fully removing the functionality

Removing the ability to open Access Data Project files.

N/A

N/A

Access 2013 SQL-based databases will replace much of the benefit of ADPs.

There are three possible mitigations for ADPs:

  • Convert the ADP to an Access App solution.

  • Convert the ADP to a linked Access Desktop Database.

  • Convert the ADP to a full SQL-based solution.

    • Import objects into an ACCDE file and then create linked tables to the existing data by using an earlier version of Access.

Changes in Access 2013

Access support of Jet 3.x IISAM

Access

Removing support because the Jet 3.x IISAM driver is no longer available.

An Access 97 user can no longer open an Access 97 database in Access 2013. To upgrade, the user must open the file in Office 2010 or an earlier version, and then open it in Office 2013.

This change affects databases that are linked to Access 97 databases.

N/A

N/A

ACCDB is the recommended format for desktop databases.

Open the Access 97 database file in an earlier version of Access and convert it to a later version. Access 2013 supports Access 2000 and later versions through Access 2010.

N/A

PivotCharts and PivotTables

Access

PivotCharts and PivotTables are removed

There are no options to create PivotCharts and PivotTables in Access 2013.

Office Web components are no longer supported.

Better charting capabilities in Excel.

Use enhanced PivotChart and PivotTable capabilities in Excel.

Charts that are not PivotCharts and that use the MSGraph component are still available in Access 2013. Charts that are created by the Chart Wizard component are still supported.

For background on the Office Web components life cycle, see the following blog post: Office Web Components “Roadmap”.

dBASE support removed from Access

Access

Fully removing the functionality

dBASE support is removed so that the user can no longer connect to an external data dBASE database.

Access Data Collection

Access

Fully removing the feature

Cannot create new Data Collection forms.

The data collection feature enabled customers to create data collection forms and send those forms as an e-mail message. When customers returned those e-mail messages, the data was processed and stored in an Access database. Access 2013 cannot create new forms. Access 2013 enables processing data collection forms that are created in earlier versions of Access.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Access 2003 toolbar and menus

Access

Fully removing the feature

You can no longer create Access 2003 toolbar and menus that display in Access 2013. Access 2003 toolbars and menus are displayed in Access 2007 and Access 2010 without the Ribbon. They will not display in Access 2013 but will appear in the Add-ins tab in Access 2013. Custom Ribbon commands are supported.

Removing legacy feature.

N/A

Toolbars display in the Add-ins tab on the Ribbon. Custom Ribbon commands are also supported.

N/A

Access Replication Options

Access

Fully removing the feature

When opening a .mdb file in Access 2010 or older, the Replication Options displays in the Ribbon Database Tools tab. This option is removed from Access 2013

Removing legacy feature.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Access Source Code Control

Access

Fully removing the feature

The Source Code Control add-in lets Microsoft Visual SourceSafe or other source code control systems integrate to allow check-in/check-out of queries, forms, reports, macros, modules, and data. The Developer Source Code Control is not available as an add-in for Access 2013.

Removing legacy feature.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Access Three-State Workflow

Access

Fully removing the feature

The entry points for workflow are no longer available. In UI Macros the Workflow commands are not available. If you open an existing Access 2010 database that has UI Macros with StartNewWorkFlow or Workflow tasks, Access displays a warning.

Removing legacy feature.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Access Upsizing Wizard

Access

Fully removing the feature

The Upsizing Wizard lets you scale up Access database tables to a new or existing Microsoft SQL Server database. This feature is removed for Access 2013

Removing legacy feature.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Access Package Solution Wizard

Access

Fully removing the feature

The Package Solution Wizard enabled you to package an Access desktop database file together with Access Runtime and to distribute the files to others.

Removing legacy feature

Rather than package up a desktop database for distribution to others, the better way to go in Access 2013 is to create an Access app. You can save an Access app as a package to submit to the Office App Marketplace or an internal corporate catalog.

If you do create a desktop database that you decide you want to share with others who may not have a full version of Access 2013 installed, you can give the database to others and have them download the Microsoft Access 2013 Runtime.

The following table contains information about what's changed in Assistance and Worldwide Services (AWS).

AWS

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Developer Reference Help

Office

Modifying the feature.

The developer reference Help files that were included with earlier versions of Office are removed from setup and are now available on the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN).

Content usage is low. MSDN is the logical place for developer reference Help content.

International versions of the developer reference Help is now online. The developer reference Help can now be searched on the Web. The localization team will spend resources localizing more valuable content for customers. Click-to-Run users may notice benefits with the reduced size of the Setup image because many offline Help files are removed.

Developer reference Help is now on MSDN.

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Enterprise Content Management (ECM).

ECM

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Web Analytics

SharePoint 2013 Products

A SharePoint Shared Service is being removed.

The SharePoint 2010 Web Analytics system is being removed and will no longer be available or upgraded. This service was not available for Office 365, and so this change affects only the on-premises SharePoint 2013 product.

N/A

Replaced by a new analytics system that is a subcomponent of the search system. Every click in SharePoint is still logged and still provides a hit count for every document in SharePoint, but user data is made anonymous early in the process and is made scalable to the service.

The data is used as follows:

  • Drive new item-to-item recommendation features.

  • Show view count embedded in various SharePoint and Search UIs.

  • Provide a report of the top items in a site and list.

  • Influence the relevancy algorithm of search.

N/A

N/A

CMIS Consumer Web Part

SharePoint 2013

Fully removing the feature

The Content Management Interoperability Services (CMIS) Consumer Web Part was included as part of the SharePoint Admin Toolkit after the SharePoint 2010 Products launch. This Web Part is not supported in SharePoint 2013. The SharePoint Admin Toolkit also included a CMIS Producer, which is supported and can be upgraded for SharePoint 2013.

CMIS is an open standard for interoperability among ECM repositories. Users would most likely want more than the simple Web Part that is provided in the SharePoint Admin Toolkit. For example, they would want to roll up from multiple repositories. Therefore, the CMIS Producer is what is being developed.

Clarifies the strategy and focus for CMIS.

N/A

About the CMIS Producer and CMIS Consumer Web Part

Document Conversion Services

SharePoint 2013

Fully removing the feature

Document Conversion Services is being removed. This includes the central farm administration UI for configuring and using the service and also the object model (OM). The OM includes the Microsoft.Office.HtmlTrans namespace, some document conversation methods on the SPFile object, and some interfaces within the SharePoint.Publishing namespace.

This service is for converting a document from one format to another, for example, .docx to .html. These conversion scenarios are better served by Word Automation Services and Office Web Apps.

Conversion services that provide better value.

N/A

N/A

Document Conversion Services

SharePoint 2013

Fully removing the feature

Document Conversion Services is being removed. This includes the central farm administration UI for configuring and using the service and also the object model (OM). The OM includes the Microsoft.Office.HtmlTrans namespace, some document conversation methods on the SPFile object, and some interfaces within the SharePoint.Publishing namespace.

This service is for converting a document from one format to another, for example, .docx to .html. These conversion scenarios are better served by Word Automation Services and Office Web Apps.

Conversion services that provide better value.

N/A

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Excel.

Excel

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Application.EnableAnimations in Excel

Excel

disabling the feature

Application.EnableAnimations is being disabled.

This feature does not work with the new animations. Therefore, the ability to turn off animations is being disabled.

Prevent animations from being turned off accidentally.

N/A

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Excel Services.

Excel Services

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Editing workbooks in a browser that has external data connections.

SharePoint eCal (Excel Services) with Office Web Apps Server is installed.

Architectural

Workbooks that have external data connections that require Windows Authentication cannot be edited in the browser. Users who attempt to open them are prompted to open the workbooks in the client.

Workbooks that have database credentials stored in the Secure Store or in the connection string can still be edited.

N/A

Users can get better scale-out and management by using Office Web Apps Server instead of Excel Services.

N/A

N/A

Excel Web App no longer remembers View mode when transitioning a file to Edit mode.

SharePoint eCal (Excel Services) with Office Web Apps Server is installed and is being upgraded to Office 2013.

Admins can configure workbooks to be viewed through Excel Services by using the SharePoint viewer, or through Excel Web App.

Applies only when Excel Services uses the SharePoint viewer (view mode).

Architectural

If you sort, filter, slice, drill, and so on, in view mode, and then click Edit in Browser, view settings are not available.

N/A

N/A

No. You just have to reapply filters.

N/A

The following table contains information about what’s changed in Graphics and Visualizations.

Graphics and Visualizations

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Insert a 3D Cone, Pyramid, or Cylinder Chart

Office

Modification

The user can no longer insert a 3D cone, pyramid, or cylinder chart. However, the user can insert a 3D rectangle and then change the shape type after it is inserted.

There are too many chart choices that are not actually different charts. This makes it difficult to choose a good chart to display data.

Makes it easier to choose a good chart to display data

N/A

N/A

Office 2007/Office 2010 Chart Styles

Office

Modification

The chart styles that were were included with Office 2007 and Office 2010 are no longer available in the UI and are replaced with a new set of styles. However, the chart styles that were included with Office 2007 and Office 2010 are available through the OM.

Refresh content

Refreshed content

N/A

N/A

WordArt conversion

Word only

Modification

The older WordArt objects are now converted to new WordArt objects when you convert legacy Word documents. This changes the way files are saved.

N/A

After conversion, users can take advantage of the additional styling functionality of the new WordArt objects. There is also better consistency between newly inserted WordArt objects and those that are converted from legacy documents.

Use new WordArt objects in converted documents.

For Word documents that are not converted, legacy WordArt objects are still available in Word 2013 compatibility mode.

N/A

Chart Contextual Tab Rearranged on Ribbon

Office

Modification

The ribbon arrangement for the chart tools contextual tab is changed.

It was difficult to find commands on the ribbon.

Easier to find the relevant commands

No

N/A

Full Excel for creating a chart in Word and PowerPoint

Office

Modification

In older versions of Office when a user created or edited a chart in Word or PowerPoint, a full Excel file would open for entering/editing data. In Office 2013, a version of Excel is displayed without the ribbon. The user can open full Excel if it is needed.

Based on user feedback, the old design was overwhelming and made it difficult to create a chart.

Lets the user more easily create a chart in Word or PowerPoint.

N/A

N/A

Microsoft Office Picture Manager

Office and SharePoint Server

Fully removing the feature

Removing the OIS.dll file from Office 2013.

Picture Manager was released with Office 2003. The feature has basically been replaced by Windows Live Photo Gallery.

Windows Live Photo Gallery contains better photo-editing software.

No

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Input Method Editor (IME).

IME

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Removing IME core

IME loaded to any applications.

Modification of Office installation.

Office 2013 setup does not include IME core modules.

The major input scenario has shifted from authoring to casual typing. We prelease the next IME core only in Windows 8, and some Office 2013 integration add-on modules. Office 2013 users will be able to use the latest IME in Windows 8, and Office 2010 IME is provided to Office 2013 users who run Windows 7.

Office 2013 users can use IME for scenarios on Windows 8, and there is no degradation on Windows 7.

Windows 8 IME, and Office 2010 IME for Windows 7 users.

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Meetings.

Meetings

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

PowerPoint Broadcast hosted on SharePoint 2013

SharePoint 2013 and PowerPoint

Removing the feature

In Office 2010, the PowerPoint Broadcast feature can be configured to use a SharePoint 2013 site to host broadcasts, in addition to a free public service hosted on Windows Live. In Office 2013, the SharePoint 2013 capabilities are removed.

After a user upgrades to SharePoint 2013, PowerPoint client users will no longer be able to select a SharePoint 2013 site as a host for broadcasts.

Primarily to focus Enterprise offerings on Lync. The free public service hosted on Windows Live will still be available to Office customers.

Lync offers a fuller experience, for example, integrated audio, chat, telecommunications integration. Broadcast provides only a small portion of what is required in a remote collaboration scenario. In Office 2013, the broadcast technology is integrated into the Lync client so that the overall quality of document rendering is the same as in previous broadcasts, and also includes the Lync features.

Windows Live will still be available, and Lync serves as an Enterprise replacement for the scenarios previously covered by the feature. If a user cannot use Windows Live or Lync, there is no specific replacement.

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Office.com.

Office.com

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Clip Organizer

Office

Fully removing the feature

The Clip Organizer feature is removed in Office 2013. This feature was previously available in three modes: a stand-alone application in the Office suite, Insert Clip Art task pane, and through a dialog box for inserting picture bullets, horizontal lines, and so on.

Office.com is no longer robust enough to provide the breadth and variety of media content to meet the needs of Office users. Users are increasingly storing their own images/videos online and also going to search engines or other Internet sites to find media content to include in their Office documents. In addition, enterprise users expect to use media content that is stored in their company’s SharePoint Server site(s). The new Insert Media feature in Office 2013 is intended to streamline finding and using media content by making the content available directly within the client experience. The Clip Organizer client does not easily scale out to accommodate a growing set of online media sources. Therefore, to enable this richer set of online media,  we are implementing a simpler and lighter-weight client.

With Office 2013, we are moving towards a new model for users to find and insert online media content. This model is not only from the Office.com Clip Art collection, but also from Bing Image/Video search, users' OneDrive, Flickr, and so on.

In Office 2013, the Clip Organizer application is replaced by the Insert Media dialog box. This feature lets users find and insert content from the Office.com Clip Art collection and other online sources.

Use the Office 2010 stand-alone Clip Organizer application to open local clip collections. Install Clip Organizer by running Office 2010 setup and choosing to install only the Clip Organizer. You can then run Clip Organizer side-by-side with Office 2013.

N/A

New From Existing Option

Office

Modification

In the File > New menu selection in Office and older versions, there is the New from Existing option. In Office 2013, that feature is removed in favor of a shortcut menu option in Recent documents to Open from Copy which functions the same as the New from Existing option.

The New from Existing option was not widely used.

The new feature generally works the way that the old feature did. However, the new feature presents the functionality more as how the user would relate to this task.

Replaced by the Open from Copy option on the shortcut menu of Recent documents. The user discovers the option from the shortcut menu. The replacement is not exactly as the previous option, which enabled the user to browse the computer for the document to use.

This replacement lets the user browse only documents that are already opened, but another feature (accessing the shortcut menu for a document in Windows Explorer and choosing New instead of Open) does allow the old functionality to continue to be used.

Favorite files and folders can also be pinned to the File Open area by choosing the pin icon to the right of the file or folder or by choosing (right-clicking) the file or folder from the Pin to List short-cut menu

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Office Business Intelligence (BI).

Office BI

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Creating SharePoint Server 2010 charts

SharePoint 2013 and Office 2013

Fully removing the feature

The entry point to create new SharePoint Server 2010 charts is removed from Office 2013. SharePoint Server 2010 charts will still work and can be edited after you upgrade Office 2013, but no new charts can be added.

Investments were made to SharePoint Server 2010 charts to introduce users to BI by letting them create simple charts. These charts are not interactive. The BI strategy is to enable fewer entry points to create rich, interactive charts. Excel and PerformancePoint Services are tools that are available for users to create and publish charts to SharePoint 2013.

Use Excel and PerformancePoint Services, which are existing methods to create and publish charts.

N/A

N/A

Status Indicators List (formerly known as KPI List)

Office

For sites that already use the key performance indicators (KPI) List or Status Indicators List, The feature will continue with the same functionality. For new sites, the feature will no longer be available.

This change affects on-premises users. The Status Indicator List is removed from Office 2013. If the Status Indicator List was used in Office 2010, it will still work fine in Office 2013. The user will be able to create new lists. If the Status Indicator List was not used in Office 2010, the user will be unable to create new lists.

There are multiple options to create these lists, and this can cause confusion for users. To combine this capability into several lists that can be created in Excel, the Status Indicators List is being removed.

Fewer options will make it easier for users to decide which Microsoft BI tool to use.

N/A

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Office Web Apps.

Office Web Apps

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Office Web Apps does not support SharePoint classic mode web applications

SharePoint and Office Web Apps

Functional

Office Web Apps rendering and editing does not work on SharePoint web applications that use classic mode authentication. If you are migrating SharePoint 2010 web applications that use classic-mode authentication to SharePoint 2013, you must convert the migrated SharePoint web applications to claims-based authentication so that they can work with Office Web Apps.

For Office 2013, Office Web Apps is moving to a stand-alone server model that supports only claims-based authentication.

N/A

N/A

Office Web Apps Server overview

Plan Office Web Apps Server

Migrate from classic-mode to claims-based authentication in SharePoint 2013

The following table contains information about what's changed in Open Software Foundation (OSF).

OSF

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Add-in Designer

Office 32-bit only

Fully removing the functionality

The following classes will no longer be available. They are currently 32-bit only.

  • MSAddnDr.AddInInstance

  • MSAddnDr.AddInDesigner

The following associated interfaces are no longer registered:

  • IAddinDesignerIAddinInstance

Because VB6 support ended, this dynamic link library (.dll) was marked for removal in Office 2007 and Office 2010. However, it was still included in those Office releases. Office 2013 does not contain this .dll.

This unserviceable component no longer has to be included.

Any of the supported technologies can replace this feature.

If support is still required, re-install the VB6 solution for the add-in after you install the MSI version of Office 2013.

Microsoft Knowledge Base article 2792179: A custom add-in that uses interfaces in the Msaddndr.dll file does not work in Office 2013

The following table contains information about what's changed in Outlook 2013.

Outlook

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Outlook Meeting Workspaces

Outlook

Removing the feature

The Meeting workspaces feature is removed from Outlook. The entry point commands to create Meeting Workspaces is removed from both the Quick Access Toolbar and the Ribbon.

The feature was not widely used.

Allows for a simpler Ribbon experience.

N/A

For the feature description, see Use Meeting Workspaces to organize meetings

Outlook Exchange Classic offline

Outlook

Removing the feature

Offline mode is being removed from Outlook.

Offline mode is a legacy data access method for online mode connections to Exchange Server.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Remove /Cleanfreebusy switch and code

Outlook

Removing the feature

Users can no longer start Outlook by using the /cleanfreebusy switch. If they try this, they will receive the following message: "Cannot start Microsoft Outlook. The command line argument is not valid. Verify the switch you are using."

Because of the removal of the Public Folder Free/Busy feature, this switch is no longer needed.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Command Bars object model (OM)

Outlook

Modification

The Command Bars OM is being changed so that built-in Command Bar objects cannot be accessed through programming.

Command bars are not used in Outlook 2013. Therefore, add-ins that use the Command Bars OM are not required.

N/A

Use the IRibbonExtensibility interface in an Outlook 2013 add-in instead of command bars. You can’t customize Inspector ribbons by using VBScript code behind forms.

Updating Earlier Code for CommandBars

For more information about how to use IRibbonExtensibility to customize the Outlook 2013 user interface programmatically, see Extending the User Interface in Outlook 2010.

Outlook Direct Booking

Outlook

Removing the feature

Direct booking of resources in the calendar no longer exists.

This functionality is outdated and is superseded by the Exchange Availability service and free/busy for resources.

More reliable service.

Mailboxes that are currently configured to use Outlook direct booking should be migrated to Exchange 2007 or Exchange Server 2010 resource mailboxes.

Exchange 2007 and Exchange Server 2010 resource mailboxes provide a better range of features. These mailboxes also provide server-side administration by using the Exchange Management Shell or the Exchange Management Console to simplify resource mailbox management.

N/A

Import/Export to Applications

Outlook

Removing specific file-format support from the Import/Export wizard in Outlook

The ability to import/export Outlook data to legacy file formats.

The following legacy formats were removed from the Import/Export Wizard: Internet Mail Account Settings, Internet Mail and Addresses, Comma Separated Values (DOS), Access 97-2003, Excel 97-2003, Tab Separated Values (DOS), Tab Separated Values (Windows), ACT!, Contact Manager, Lotus Organizer, Outlook Express/Windows Mail, Personal Address Book.

N/A

Import/Export to the PST and CSV formats is still a supported option.

Export Outlook items to an Outlook Data File (.pst)

Journal Module and Journaling

Outlook

Removing the feature

The Journal Module is being removed as a top-level module, and auto-journaling is also being removed.

N/A

Replacement is unnecessary.

N/A

N/A

Outlook Links Collection

Office

Removing the feature

Links Collection object model is removed.

Functionality is removed in the UI.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Notes and Journal customization

Outlook

Removing the feature

Notes are now only yellow and medium size.

Keeping the Notes module simple.

Simplifying how Notes are used.

N/A

N/A

Legacy Contact Linking

Outlook

Removing the feature

The capability to link arbitrary Outlook items to Outlook contacts. This contact linking existed only for displaying information in the Activities tab of the contact, which is a feature that is also removed for Outlook 2013.

Contact linking is replaced by the Outlook Social Connector and the New Person Card.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Outlook Activities tab

Outlook

Removing the feature

The Activities tab on contact forms is not available for Outlook 2013. The Activities tab used to aggregate all Outlook items (e-mail, meetings, tasks, and so on) associated with a contact.

N/A

Simplicity

The Activities tab is replaced by the Outlook Social Connector and displays in the People pane.

N/A

Outlook Mobile Service (OMS)

Outlook

Removing the feature

Support for the Outlook Mobile Service protocol, which is used for sending and receiving text messages from Outlook, is being removed.

Feature has low usage.

No user benefit.

N/A

N/A

Suggested Contacts

Outlook

Removing the feature

Suggested Contacts was used to automatically keep track of everyone the user sends a message to, but who isn’t in Outlook contacts.

In a clean Outlook 2013 installation, Suggested Contacts is no longer available, the folder never is created, and no suggested contact items are created. In an upgrade to Outlook 2013, this folder is visible, and participates in linking, aggregation and search. However, no new suggested contact items are added to the folder. The folder displays in an upgrade scenario. However, it can now be deleted.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Outlook Pubcal: Calendar Publishing

Outlook

Removing the feature

Removing the ability to publish one's calendar to Office.com.

N/A

N/A

Users in Exchange Server environments can use Exchange Calendar Publishing.

Non-Exchange users can use a service such as Outlook.com to share calendars.

Enable Internet Calendar Publishing

Share calendars in Outlook.com

Outlook/Exchange Deliver to PST

Outlook

Removing the feature

Removing the ability for users to have Exchange accounts delivering into PST files.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Dialup/VPN Options

Outlook

Removing the feature

Removing application level dial-up options and VPN options.

Available as part of the operating system.

N/A

Follow operating system instructions for configuring VPN or dial-up networking connections,

For Windows Vista and Windows 7, see Set up an incoming VPN or dial-up connection.

For Windows 8, see Configure a Dial-Up Networking Connection Item.

Public Folder Free/Busy

Office

Removing the feature

Public Folder Free/Busy feature is replaced.

Replaced by the Exchange availability service

Free/Busy functionality is more reliable

Free busy information can be obtained through the Exchange Availability service

Understanding the Availability Service

ToDo Bar

Outlook

Removing the feature

A new functionality is implemented.

A new feature known as Pinned Peeks is implemented to achieve similar functionality.

Pinned Peeks feature

N/A

N/A

User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

Office

Removing the feature

UDP is removed. In earlier versions of Outlook the feature was used for new mail alert results and for folder updates.

The UDP functionality that was provided by UDP is replaced with an asynchronous notification method.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Preview unread messages

Office

Removing the feature

The Auto Preview feature to preview unread items is removed. It remains possible to configure Message Preview for one, two, and three lines.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Outlook categories quick click

Office

Removing the feature

Categories quick click from the message list is removed. Categories are displayed when they are applied in Office 2013 by right-clicking or using Ribbon buttons.

Low usage. This feature was used by around 1% of users.

Simplicity

Apply categories by choosing from the short-cut menus (right clicking) or by choosing Ribbon buttons.

N/A

Outlook Search through Windows Shell

Office and Windows

Removing the feature

In Office 2013, Outlook items do not display in Windows Shell searches (for example, searches from the Start Menu or by using Win+F). Perform Office searches within Office 2013.

N/A

N/A

Search Office items within the Office application.

N/A

Public folder Offline Address Book download

Outlook

Removing the feature

With Outlook 2013, you can no longer download an Offline Address Book, however, you can still download a local one.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in PowerPoint.

PowerPoint

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Save As HTML

PowerPoint

Modification

Removing the ability to save PowerPoint presentations in HTML.

Low usage.

Allows room for features that are popular with users.

N/A

The options to save a presentation as a webpage are not available in the Save As dialog box in PowerPoint 2010

The following table contains information about what's changed in Project 2013.

Project

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Project - Backwards Compatibility Support

Project Professional and Project Server

Support change

In Project Server 2013, backward compatibility mode is not supported. This means that you cannot connect Project Professional 2010 to Project Server 2013.

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Resource substitution wizard

Project Professional

Feature removed

We removed the resource substitution wizard from the Project Professional client.

Low usage

Higher quality in other feature areas

Works in earlier versions of Project Professional but not Project Professional 2013.

N/A

Client Reports (legacy feature)

Project Standard and Project Professional

Feature removed

Removed the legacy Reports feature in the Project client.

Added a more robust Reports feature to Project

The new Reports feature lets users create charts and tables from data, update the reports to meet their needs, and then copy the reports to other applications so that they can share them with others. The old feature enabled only table printing.

The old Report feature is available only when you work with files in Project 2010 and earlier. The legacy reports cannot be accessed in Project 2013. However, they still remain within the file.

N/A

API

Project and Project Server

Feature removed

Because we removed certain features, we have also removed the corresponding API.

We removed features that had low usage or that we were replacing with new updated versions.

Where a feature is replaced by an updated version, the user experience is better because of greater functionality.

Some of the corresponding features were replaced, and some were removed.

N/A

Project Task Sync to Exchange Server

Project Server

Replacing the feature

Users can no longer request Project Server task sync to Exchange Server 2010 or older versions. The replacement feature is more easily discoverable, but works only when the user's mailbox is hosted on Exchange Server 2013.

The replacement feature is easier to use.

Being able to sync every user-assigned task anywhere in SharePoint Server.

N/A

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Publisher.

Publisher

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Color Mode Removal

Publisher

Removing the feature

The ability to manage color modes in a publication has been removed. Files that use color modes are automatically converted to RGB mode. A dialog box notifies users of the change.

Low usage

The use of color modes in some publications sometimes caused certain features to work incorrectly. This change prevents that from happening.

N/A

Most commercial printers use PDF files for printing, so it’s no longer necessary for Publisher to offer additional color modes. Publisher users can export files in PDF format.

The following table contains information about what's changed in Office Security.

Security

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Information Rights Management (IRM) – Backwards Compatibility Support

IRM creation support for Microsoft Accounts

Support change

An on-premises RMS server setup or Office 365 with RMS Online is now required to IRM–protect a document.

N/A

N/A

Office 365

You can open IRM–protected content that was created with a Microsoft Account in previous versions of Office and edit those documents if you have permission. However, you are no longer able to create new protected documents by using a Microsoft Account. For more information, see Plan Information Rights Management in Office 2013.

The following table contains information about what’s changed in SharePoint Designer 2013.

SharePoint Designer

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

SharePoint Designer - Removing Design and Split Views of Page editing

SharePoint Designer. SharePoint Server is affected in scenarios.

Functional

Earlier versions of SharePoint Designer had both code and design view for editing ASPX/HTML pages in SharePoint Server. In SharePoint Designer 2013, the design view is removed.

The design view technology is not as up-to-date as the current Internet Explorer. In addition, code view is much more widely used than design view. Design view cannot support the new tags in HTML5 and new cascading style sheets that are used in SharePoint 2013.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Group Approval

Office

Feature removed

Group Approval feature will be removed when the site is upgraded to Office 2013.

Low usage

N/A

N/A

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in SharePoint products.

SharePoint Experiences

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Site Templates - Document Workspace

Office only

End of life

Removing the ability to create new Document Workspace sites.

There are too many site templates that are confusing to users who only want to create a new site. This scenario is covered by our regular team sites.

Reduces any confusion about which site template to use to create a new site.

N/A

N/A

Site Templates - Personalization

Office only

End of life

Removing the ability to create new Personalization sites.

There are too many site templates that are confusing to users who only want to create a new site. This scenario is covered by our regular team sites.

Reduces any confusion about which site template to use to create a new site.

N/A

N/A

Imaging Web Service

SharePoint Server

Fully removing the feature

Users will no longer be able to use the Imaging Web Service.

To reduce security concerns.

Simplifying the number of ways to connect to SharePoint 2013.

N/A

N/A

Site Templates - Groupwork

Office

Fully removing the feature

The Groupwork site template is being removed.

This feature is not widely used.

Simplifies the number of available site templates.

N/A

N/A

Site Templates - Meeting Workspaces

SharePoint Server and Outlook

Fully removing the feature

The Meeting Workspaces templates are removed.

The feature is being replaced by the new meetings features in OneNote 2013 and Outlook 2013.

A new meetings feature is developed for OneNote 2013 and Outlook 2013

The new meetings features in OneNote 2013 and Outlook 2013.

N/A

Visual Upgrade

SharePoint products

Modification

Replaced by the deferred site collection preview upgrade. Upgrade of the site collection process cannot be reversed.

The main goal of visual upgrade was to allow users to preserve the legacy UI while still letting them update their infrastructure and databases. This gave users more time to review customizations they made to the UI and to roll out new material without blocking the actual infrastructural upgrade from one version of SharePoint products to another. The new Office 2013 deferred site collection upgrade can complete this goal much more holistically than the Office 2010 visual upgrade feature.

Whereas visual upgrade could make sites look only approximately the same as the legacy UI, deferred site collection upgrade can make sites appearance and behavior almost identical to Office 2010. This preserves user customizations much better than visual upgrade.

Deferred site collection upgrade.

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in SharePoint Workspace.

SharePoint Workspace

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

SharePoint Workspace Peer-to-Peer Functionality

SharePoint Workspace

End of life

All functionality related to the peer-to-peer aspects of SharePoint Workspaces are removed. This includes the concept of Account.

The focus of the current product is SharePoint and social behavior. We are working to create a better client experience for SharePoint, both in the site client and in introducing OneDrive for Business client for Windows.

N/A

We tested the side-by-side use of SharePoint Workspace with OneDrive for Business client for Windows, because it uses some of the same underlying technology and the .exe file.

N/A

SharePoint Workspace Product

SharePoint Workspace

End of life

SharePoint Workspace is being removed from the Office product base.

We will release OneDrive for Business client for Windows with Office 2013.

N/A

The replacement feature is OneDrive for Business client for Windows, which is included with Office 2013. This lets users take doc libraries offline for SharePoint and sync them.

N/A

SharePoint Workspace Memberships

My Site

Fully removing the feature

For Office 2013, the Memberships feature is no longer available. Users will no longer see their memberships in their My Site profiles.

For Office 2013, Communities is replacing Memberships.

A simpler UI that encourages using Communities over distribution lists.

Communities

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in the Office user interface.

User interface

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

File > Exit

Office

Fully removing the feature

Removing the File > Exit command from the Backstage

The feature is not widely used. There is confusion with other related features such as Close file and Exit the backstage. The red “X” in the upper-right corner of the window is mainly used to close the window.

Reduces overall confusion for users especially when they scan the list of Backstage options (for example Print, Save).

The following are ways to exit Office applications:

  • Add Exit to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)

  • Choose the red "X" at the upper corner of the application window

  • Right-click the Windows taskbar and choose Close all windows

  • Type ALT+F+X

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Visio 2013.

Visio

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Open Document Management API (ODMA) support for VSD

Visio

Feature removed

Visio 2013 will not support ODMA or be an ODMA compliant application. This means:

  • When Visio 2013 is started, it will not detect whether a document management system (DMS) is installed.

  • Calls (hooks) into the DMS by using ODMA integration will no longer be initiated.

Not cost-effective. Also, the ODMA 2.0 Specification was created in 1997. ODMA was superseded by other, more standard ways of interfacing.

N/A

N/A

N/A

Support for Visio Drawing Control in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

Visio

Feature removed

The Visio ActiveX control (Visio Drawing Control) offers the full functionality of the Visio application through the rich Visio object model. You can drive the Visio Drawing Control programmatically by events or by code in your hosting application. In the past, we enabled the Visio Drawing Control to be embedded in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. In Visio 2013, the Visio ActiveX control will not work in Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

The Visio ActiveX control is not supported in the newer versions of these applications.

We are focusing our resources on more prominent features.

There is no replacement feature, although users can continue to use the Visio Drawing Control outside Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

N/A

Save as Visio 2002 drawing

Visio

Feature removed

Visio 2013 does not support saving to the Visio 2002 format. This affects Visio 2002 drawings, stencils, and templates. Users are prompted to save as either a Visio 2013 file or as a Visio 2003, Visio 2007, or Visio 2010 file. Users are still able to open all Visio file formats.

Visio supports the current file format and one earlier version. In Visio 2013, introduces the VSDX format. As part of this change, the ability to save to the Visio 2002 format is removed.

Visio 2013 has a new XML based file format that can be natively parsed and understood by both Visio 2013 and SharePoint 2013. The file format has improved interoperability, is easier to work with programmatically, and provides the basis for supporting new features being developed for Visio 2013.

N/A

N/A

Save as XML Drawing (VDX)

Visio

Feature change

Visio 2013 does not support saving to the Visio 2003 XML format. This affects VDX, VSX, and VTX file formats. Users are prompted to save as either a Visio 2013 file or as a Visio 2003, Visio 2007, or Visio 2010 VSD. Users are still able to open all Visio file formats.

Visio 2013 introduces the VSDX format. As part of this change, the ability to save to the previous XML format is removed. There is less confusion if only one XML-based format is available.

Visio 2013 has a new XML based file format can be natively parsed and understood by both Visio 2013 and SharePoint 2013. The file format has improved interoperability, is easier to work with programmatically, and provides the basis for supporting new features being developed for Visio 2013

N/A

N/A

Save to SharePoint with required data columns

Visio

Feature change

In this scenario, the user is saving a Visio file to a SharePoint 2013 site where one or more columns is required. In Visio 2010, the user was prompted to fill in required data when they save the file. In Visio 2013, the file is saved without prompting the user to fill in required data. The file is uploaded without the required column data. However, it is forced into the CheckedOut state. The user must open SharePoint 2013, populate the data, and then check in the file.

It was decided to support the scenario in which a user wants to save a Visio file to a library that supports multiple content types.

Users can save files to a library that supports multiple content types.

N/A

N/A

Database model diagram

Visio

Feature change

In Visio 2013, a new database is being created that is not backed by a solution. The new database model contains a new template, and updated stencils and shapes.

Without the legacy Unified Modeling Language (UML)/DB solutions, users can view and print UML/DB diagrams from earlier versions in Visio 2013, but editing functionality is limited and changes in Visio 2013 might prevent the file from being editable in earlier versions (that is, the UML/DB solution smart shapes may become dumb shapes). A warning displays in the message bar when a legacy UML/DB diagram is opened in Visio 2013.

Both software and database models are heavyweight solutions that make it difficult for users to do things quickly and easily. IT Professionals and Developers have long used Visio for creating software and database model diagrams and for a long time wanted a Visio database that is up to the current industry standard.

In Visio 2013 there are new, updated shapes that are easy to use and provide more flexibility than the shapes and solutions in the earlier Visio products.

A new database model that contains a new template, and updated stencils and shapes.

N/A

UML model diagram

Visio

Feature change

In Visio 2013, the UML solution is being replaced by a new content-focused template that is quick and lightweight.

Without the legacy UML/DB solutions, users can view and print UML/DB diagrams from earlier versions in Visio 2013, but editing functionality is limited and changes in Visio 2013 might prevent the file from being editable in earlier versions (that is, the UML/DB solution smart shapes may become dumb shapes). A warning displays in the message bar when a legacy UML/DB diagram is opened in Visio 2013.

Both software and database models are heavyweight solutions that make it difficult for users to do things quickly and easily. IT Professionals and Developers have long used Visio for creating software and database model diagrams and for a long time wanted a Visio database that is up to the current industry standard.

In Visio 2013 there are new, updated shapes that are easy to use and provide more flexibility than the shapes and solution in the earlier Visio products.

A new database model that contains a new template, and updated stencils and shapes.

N/A

Commenting model

Visio

The feature is being replaced

In Visio 2013, we are changing the reviewing model to better align with the core Office applications. The new Visio commenting model removes the Reviewer and Annotation ShapeSheet sections and cells. Instead, Visio 2013 will provide a new API to access the comments programmatically.

In addition, Visio 2013 will not support comments on multiple layers by author and inking in comments. By default, the Markup commands, previously on the Review ribbon tab, are still available but are not on the ribbon. Users can access them by selecting File -> Options -> Customize Ribbon - > Commands Not in the Ribbon.

In Visio 2013, commenting will let users add meaningful comments to Visio diagrams collaboratively, either on a shared document through the Visio client, or through Visio Services on SharePoint 2013 and SharePoint Online in Office 365 by using their browser. Comments can be specific to on-canvas objects or simple document comments without a relationship to objects.

Commenting in Visio 2010 is not widely used, whereas in other Office applications comments are a valuable part of the workflow. The commenting experience, especially when it is combined with coauthoring, has proven to be a powerful tool for collaboration. The goal is to let users comment meaningfully in the client and on a Visio Services on SharePoint 2013 version of the diagram. Visio Services lets users comment across a wide group without requiring that each user have a copy of the client. This will give our core users better support for working on diagrams collaboratively, and will also expose the feature to many users who might not have Visio.

Comments entered in Visio 2013 will always use the new UI and will be converted only to legacy format through a file save to VSD format.

N/A

Visio 2003 Color Schemes add-on

Visio

The feature is being replaced

The color schemes add-on enabled Visio 2003 users to apply a set of colors to a document. It was replaced in Visio 2007 by a theming model, which is updated again in Visio 2013. In Visio 2013, users will no longer be able to select a color scheme using the "Color Schemes" dialog boxes. Users should use themes to update the look of their diagram.

This feature is not widely used. The new themes model is a much more comprehensive way to apply a look to a diagram.

The new theme model is available on the Design tab.

Users should use the new theme model to update the look of their diagram.

N/A

The following table contains information about what's changed in Word 2013.

Word

Title Scope Type of Change Description Reason for Change Benefits Replacement Additional Information

Custom XML Markup

Word

End of life

Feature removal - affects object model, file format, and the user interface.

Legal requirement

N/A

You may want to consider content controls as a solution.

For more information about how to use content controls, see the Word content controls resource center.

Microsoft Knowledge Base article 2445060: Custom XML mapping is removed when you open a document in Word 2010

Microsoft Knowledge Base article 2445062: Error Message when you try to open a document in Word: “The file contains custom XML elements which are no longer supported by Word.”

Original: Show Markup View

Word

Moving a ribbon command to the command well

The track changes view “Original: Show Markup” is moving to the command well.

This feature has low usage.

Simplifies change tracking

Add the Original: Show Markup command to the Quick Access Toolbar.

N/A

Document Review OM

Word

Modification

Modifying the Comments and Revisions object model (OM)

The OM reflects the new UI used in Office 2013.

The OM reflects the new UI used in Office 2013.

Updated Comments and Revisions OM.

N/A

MDI Mode (Show all windows in the Taskbar)

Word and Excel

Fully removing the feature

Users will no longer be able to enter MDI Mode.

Low feature usage.

Simplifying the UI and removing a low-usage legacy feature.

N/A

N/A

Offline Arabic-English Bilingual Dictionary

Office

Fully removing the feature

The Research pane will no longer have access to the offline Arabic-English bilingual dictionaries.

N/A

N/A

To translate text between Arabic and English, use the online translation services that are available through the Research pane.

N/A

Printer Font Automatic Incorporation

Word

Fully removing the feature

The printer used to be queried in order to offer the user font choices that were not available in Word, but were available on the printer. This is now being disabled to increase performance.

Printer fonts were much more widely used when computers were more stationary. A user could expect to always be using the same printer and computer, and would be able to have wider font selection. As users have moved to portable computers, netbooks, and slates, the possibility of a computer being associated with a specific printer model is much lower. If the printer is not queried every time that Word is opened, startup time is saved, and fewer of the computers resources are used. This is especially important for netbooks and slates.

Users will have a product with fewer performance issues, and have more computer resources for their own purposes.

To re-enable fonts that are stored on the default printer, select the Advanced Word option “Use fonts that are stored on the printer” check box in the Show Document Content section.

N/A

Reading Mode Legacy OM

Word

Fully removing the feature

Some of the reading mode object model (OM) is being changed to reflect that the features no longer make sense in the context of the new reading mode.

The new reading mode is a very different experience than the old one. Therefore, specific OM properties do not translate well to the new model.

A first class reading view that will delight users of the product.

There is a full new reading mode with its own OM.

N/A

Unsupported Font Types

Word

Removing the feature

This change is due to a transition from the GDI rendering engine to the new D2D/DWrite rendering engine provided in Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Word will no longer support the following font types:

BitmapPrinterAdobe Type 1CFF/Type 2TTO.FON

We have switched our rendering engine to take advantage of the new engine that Windows is providing. This new engine doesn't support these font types (a choice made by Windows).

All the benefits of Word integrating with Windows 8 and future versions of Windows.

Replace unsupported fonts in files that are opened in Office 2013 as follows:

  1. On the File menu, choose Options > Advanced. In the Show Document Content section, choose the Font Substitution button.

    If all fonts in your document are supported, a dialog box will indicate that a font substitution is not required.

  2. If there are unsupported fonts in your document, the missing document font will display in the Missing Document font box. Choose a font that you want to substitute, and then choose either OK or the Convert Permanently button.

    Choosing the Convert Permanently button changes the document permanently.

N/A

Contents of spelling error context menu

Word and WordMail within Outlook

Modifying the feature

Auto-Correct and certain formatting tools are no longer available from the spelling error context menu.

To make Word 2013 cleaner and less cluttered, we removed AutoCorrect and certain formatting tools from the spelling error context menu. The features are still available in Word 2013 through other entry points within the Word user interface.

Less clutter in the spelling error context menu. This enables users to find popular commands more quickly. In addition, the spelling error context menu now fits better on the screen.

To change AutoCorrect options, do the following:

  1. Choose File -> Options -> Proofing

  2. Choose the AutoCorrect Options button.

N/A

Fax templates are no longer included in the box

Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint

Removing the feature from the box product. The feature is still available on the Internet.

Fax templates are no longer included when you install Office. This means that fax templates may not be available when you send a fax through the Internet Fax feature.

Inbox templates contribute significantly to the installation file size.

Reduces the size of the Office installation.

You can download fax templates from the templates section of Office.com or search within the Office application by choosing File -> New.

N/A

Original: Show Markup View

Word

Moving a ribbon command to the command well

Show Markup no longer appears in the ribbon.

Low usage

Simplifies Track Changes

N/A

If you want easy access to the command, you can add it to the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT).