Restrictions and limitations when you sync SharePoint libraries to your computer through OneDrive for Business

INTRODUCTION

This Microsoft article contains information about the restrictions and limitations in using OneDrive for Business (formerly SkyDrive Pro) to sync SharePoint Online or SharePoint 2013 libraries to your computer.

MORE INFORMATION

Number of items that can be synced

You can sync up to 20,000 items total across all synchronized libraries. This includes OneDrive for Business libraries, Team Site libraries, or both. This includes folders and files. Separately from the overall sync limit, there are limits to the number of items that can be synchronized for each library type.

• You can sync up to 20,000 items in an OneDrive for Business library. This includes folders and files.
• You can sync up to 5,000 items in a SharePoint library. This includes folders and files. These are libraries that you find on various SharePoint sites, such as team sites and community sites, libraries that other people created, or that you created from your Sites page. You can sync multiple SharePoint libraries. Any team sites that you sync will also count against the overall 20,000 item limit across all synchronized libraries.

Size limit for syncing files

In any SharePoint library, you can sync files of up to 2 gigabytes (GB).

Character limit for files and folders

These limits apply to files and folders that you add to a synced library folder for uploading to SharePoint.

• In SharePoint Server 2013, file names can have up to 128 characters.
• In SharePoint Online, file names can have up to 256 characters.
• Folder names can have up to 250 characters.
• Folder name and file name combinations can have up to 250 characters.

Invalid characters

SharePoint Online

The following characters in file or folder names aren't supported when you sync OneDrive for Business with SharePoint Online:

\
/
:
*
?
"
<
>
|
#
%

Additionally, a file or folder name that begins with a tilde (~) isn't supported.

SharePoint Server 2013

The following characters in file name aren't supported when you sync OneDrive for Business with SharePoint Server 2013:

\
/
:
*
?
"
<
>
|
#
{
}
%
~
&

A file name that begins with a period (.) or a tilde (~) isn't supported.

Unsupported folder names

When you sync OneDrive for Business with SharePoint Online or SharePoint 2013, a folder named "forms" isn't supported at the root level for a list or library. This occurs because "forms" is a hidden default folder that's used to store templates and forms for the library. Additionally, a folder that contains the string _vti_ is reserved by SharePoint, and isn’t supported.
The following folder names can be synchronized in OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online. However, if they’re synchronized, they won’t appear when you view the library on the SharePoint Online or OneDrive for Business webpage. With some of these restrictions, you may be unable to add files or folders that have these characters while in the OneDrive for Business folder. However, if you create the files or folders outside OneDrive for Business and then drag those files or folders into the OneDrive for Business folder, the files and folders will sync but the files won't appear on the webpage.

*_files:
*_Dateien
*_fichiers
*_bestanden
*_file
*_archivos
*_tiedostot
*_pliki
*_soubory
*_elemei
*_ficheiros
*_arquivos
*_dosyalar
*_datoteke
*_fitxers
*_failid
*_fails
*_bylos
*_fajlovi
*_fitxategiak
*_private

GUID strings as file names

The GUID string structure is supported in SharePoint Online.
The following GUID string structure isn't supported for file names in SharePoint 2013:

'{' + 8 hexadecimal + '-' + 4 hexadecimal + '-' + 4 hexadecimal + '-' + 4 hexadecimal + '-' + 12 hexadecimal +'}'

For example, a GUID that matches this structure resembles the following:

{9b6634a7-26b7-40a2-a48e-6f967d89c29e}

Invalid file types

You can't upload files that have a *.tmp or *.ds_store extension, and you can't upload desktop.ini, thumbs.db, or ehthumbs.db files.
Additionally, you can't upload files whose file types are blocked on the SharePoint site. If your organization is running SharePoint Server, the list of blocked files may vary, depending on what your administrator sets up. If your organization is running SharePoint Online, the default list of blocked files is fixed and can't be changed. To see a list of the default blocked files, go to the following Microsoft website:

File types that cannot be added to a list or library

Outlook PST files

Whereas PST files aren’t actively blocked by OneDrive for Business, syncing PST files that are in an open state isn’t supported. If you decide to sync PST files (for example, an archive PST file that you don’t load or view in Outlook), they can’t be in an open state at any time by any application while they’re in the OneDrive for Business sync folder. A PST file that’s connected to Outlook will be updated regularly and therefore if synchronized, can result in too much network traffic and growth of the Office File Cache on your local drive.

OneNote notebooks

Because OneNote notebooks have their own sync mechanism, they aren't synced by the OneDrive for Business sync client. You can upload OneNote notebooks to a SharePoint Online page. However, they won't sync with through the OneDrive for Business sync client application. Additionally, if you add a OneNote notebook to a local folder that syncs with SharePoint Online, the notebook won't sync with the SharePoint site and may cause other sync errors within the local folder.

Open files can't be synced

Any file that’s currently open by an application (for example, an Excel .xlsx file) can't be synced by OneDrive for Business.
To sync the file, close any application where the file is currently being used, and then sync the file.

Lookup columns in a library

The SharePoint Online or OneDrive for Business library can't exceed the lookup column threshold. For more information, go to the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

2927386 "We couldn’t sync this library" error when you use the OneDrive for Business sync client

"Fix it" tool to help in renaming files and folders to prepare or fix the naming of items in a local folder or OneDrive for Business folder

To get files to syncsuccessfully, you may have to rename a wide range and large number of files if their names contain unsupported characters. This Fix it tool for Windows automatically renames files and folders whose current names contain any unsupported characters. The tool also generates a report of those changes and of any files that are violating other restrictions that are called out in this article, and shows which folders were scanned by the tool.
Supported changes by this tool apply only to SharePoint Online. SharePoint Server 2013 may have a separate set of restrictions that were set by your administrator.
The Fix it tool currently performs the following tasks on the OneDrive for Business folder or local folder that you specify:

• Removes unsupported characters from file or folder names. For example, a file that's named This%is%a%test.doc will be renamed Thisisatest.doc.
• If an item has only invalid characters, it will be renamed Invalid Renamed File. If the item is a folder, it will be renamed Invalid Renamed Folder.
• If a file or a folder is renamed, and the renamed file or folder conflicts with an existing item on the same directory path, the item will be renamed by appending an <x> to the name. The <x> placeholder represents is an integer, starting with the number 1, until all rename actions are completed for that folder.
  For example, assume that a folder has two files that are named HelloWorld.doc and Hello%World.doc. Because % is an unsupported character, the second file is renamed HelloWorld.doc. To avoid duplication in the same folder, the name of the renamed file will be changed to HelloWorld1.doc.

In addition to file names being changed by this Fix it tool, several other rules are run to check for any additional limitations that you may encounter when it's syncing. A report that documents the issues that were found is generated and put on your desktop for you to review. A new log file will be generated every time that you run the Fix it tool.
The Fix it tool won't change file and folder names that have unsupported characters or generate warnings in the log file for the following items:

• OneNote notebook names
• Open files
• Lookup columns
• Maximum path character count for an uploaded file
  (The character count is not validated.)

To fix file and folder name problems automatically, click the Fix it button or link, and then follow the steps in the Fix it wizard.

More details and Download: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2933738

Resource Engagements–Overview (New!! for Project Online)

Here is a Microsoft article providing an overview of the new Resource Assignment Feature for Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Online and Project 2016.

Some resources have limited availability, and may have their time scheduled by a resource manager. With Project, resource managers and project managers can negotiate an agreement, called a resource engagement, to make sure that resources are being used appropriately and effectively throughout your organization.

Important   Resource engagements are only available if you're using Project Professional 2016 or Project Pro for Office 365, connected to Project Online or Project Server 2016 Preview. Project Standard 2016 does not include resource engagements.

Step 1: Resource manager decides who needs approval

When a resource manager sets up the enterprise resource pool in Project Online or Project Server 2016 Preview, he or she can identify some resources as requiring approval to be assigned to projects.

Step 2: Project manager requests a resource

When a project manager decides to use a resource that requires approval on a project, he or she submits an engagement request in Project Professional 2016 or Project Pro for Office 365, with the date range for when the resource is needed, and either a certain percentage of that resource's time during that date range, or a set number of hours during that date range.

Step 3: Resource manager reviews the request

After the project manager submits the request, the resource manager reviews it in Project Online or Project Server 2016 Preview.

To help determine whether the engagement request can be approved, resource managers can evaluate resource capacity to make sure your organization’s resources are being used effectively. If something about the request doesn’t work, the resource manager can adjust the dates, change the percentage or hours, or even swap out the resource altogether for another resource with better availability.

If the resource manager makes changes to the request, the project manager can review them and resubmit the request with additional changes, if necessary.

If the resource manager rejects the request, the project manager can make changes and resubmit the request to negotiate with the resource manager and reach an agreement that works.

Step 4: Resource can begin work!

Once the resource manager and project manager come to an agreement about the engagement, and the resource manager approves the request, the project manager is free to assign the resource to tasks in the project.

Note   Resource engagements support communication about approval requirements, but are not designed to actually prevent a project manager from assigning a resource without approval.

If an assignment doesn’t meet the date, percentage, or hours requirements of the engagement agreement, Project will let the project manager know by displaying an indicator next to the task. This signals to the project manager that either the assignment or the engagement needs to be adjusted.

Applies To: Project Pro for Office 365, Project Online, Project Professional 2016

Office2016 is Here!!

It’s here! Today is the worldwide release of Office 2016 for Windows. This marks a milestone in delivering new value for Office 365 subscribers with a focus on collaboration, apps that work for you, a perfect pairing with Windows 10, and security features businesses will love. It also marks a new model for delivery, where subscribers can expect to get more frequent updates with new features and improvements. Along with Office 2016 for Windows, today we are also releasing Office 2016 for Mac as a one-time purchase option, along with several new and enhanced Office 365 services.

Read more >>>>>>>>>>

How to pick a project management methodology

Think of project management (PM) methodologies as blueprints, step-by-step instructions that guide your team on how to build a successful project. With so many different – and in some cases, overlapping – approaches to managing the complexities of any given program, how can you know which one is right for your project, team or organization?

Let’s start by taking a look at some of the key PM methodologies:

• Agile was developed for projects requiring significant flexibility and speed and is comprised of “sprints” – short delivery cycles. Agile may be best-suited for projects requiring less control and real-time communication within self-motivated team settings. Agile is highly iterative, allowing for rapid adjustments throughout a project.

• Waterfall methodology is sequential in nature; it’s used across many industries, most commonly in software development. It’s comprised of static phases (requirements analysis, design, testing, implementation and maintenance), executed in a specific order. Waterfall allows for increased control throughout each phase but can be highly inflexible if scope changes may be anticipated later.

• Critical Path Method (CPM) is a step-by-step methodology used for projects with interdependent activities. It contains a list of activities and uses a work-break-down structure (WBS), a timeline to complete and dependencies, milestones and deliverables. It outlines critical and non-critical activities by calculating the “longest” (on the critical path) and “shortest” (float) time to complete tasks to determine which activities are critical and which are not.

• Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM) differs from Critical Path Method (CPM) in that it focuses on the use of resources within a project instead of project activities. To address potential issues with resources, buffers are built in to ensure projects are on-time and that safety is not compromised.

• Six Sigma was originally developed by Motorola to eliminate waste and improve processes and profits. It is data-driven and has three key components: DMAIC (define, measure, analyze, improve and control) DMADV (define, measure, analyze, design and verify) and DFSS (which stands for “Design for Six Sigma” and can include the previous options, as well as others, like IDOV – identify, design, optimize and verify). Six sigma is sometimes debated as a methodology in the PM community.

• Scrum (named after rugby) is a part of the agile framework and is also iterative in nature. “Scrum sessions” or “30-day sprints” are used to determine prioritized tasks. A Scrum Master is used to facilitate instead of a Project Manager. Small teams may be assembled to focus on specific tasks independently and then meet with the Scrum Master to evaluate progress or results and reprioritize backlogged tasks.

Good, better, best?

While there is no “best” methodology that works for all business types, sizes or industries, there are ways to determine which methodology to use and how to effectively apply it. When evaluating methodologies, these are only a few of the many factors that should be carefully considered:

• Organizational strategic goals and core values
• Key business drivers
• Constraints
• Stakeholders
• Risks
• Complexity
• Project size & cost

To assist in this regard, the Project Management Institute (PMI) developed the Organizational Project Management Maturity Model (OPM3) – now a globally recognized standard – to enable organizations to identify, measure and improve PM capabilities, standardize processes, help solidify successful project outcomes and ultimately determine best practices and strengthen the connection between strategic planning and execution. OPM3 focuses on overall organizational strategic effectiveness and incorporates project, program and portfolio management. This standard was updated in 2008 and again in 2013 and is recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as an American National Standard.

[Related: Why agile skills are more valuable than certifications]

In their Implementing Organizational Project Management Practice Guide, the PMI discusses some high-level processes for tailoring PM methodologies. Organizations should carefully evaluate which methodologies work for various projects based on factors in the PMI Methodology Tailoring Process in order to maximize strategic benefits.

Benefits of Organizational Project Management (OPM)

OPM3 is aimed at achieving successful strategic alignment. And since successful project outcomes depend heavily on such alignment, it may make sense for your business to adopt OPM3. Organizations will need include EPMOs (Enterprise Program Management Offices) in high-level planning sessions in order to ensure the right methodologies are deployed for specific projects to increase productivity and customer satisfaction, gain a competitive advantage, improve cost control and communications and predict performance. Ultimately, this will improve and expedite decision making as well as support alignment with company-wide goals.

Different PM methodologies have their strengths and weaknesses; organizations may want to consider selecting multiple project management methodologies based on the project and other factors previously mentioned (among others)…and also develop some standardized best practices that can be tweaked as various factors change.

The key is to figure out how specific projects align with the over-all organization objectives, and, once you determine what factors impact the success or failure of those goals, find the most suitable methodologies that will enable your organization to effectively and efficiently reach the desired business result.

Read More >>>

Support for Microsoft Office 2013 RTM has ended

NOTICE from the Microsoft Office Sustained Engineering Team

Support for Microsoft Office 2013 RTM has ended.  Starting with the April 2015 release, all Office 2013 updates will only apply if Office 2013 SP1 is installed.  See KB2817430 for more information about acquiring Office 2013 SP1.

The June 2015 Public Update releases for Office are now live. June 2015 Office Update Release

OLAP Excel Report - How to Show Work in Days rather than Hours?

Applies: Project Server 2007, 2010, 2013 OLAP Reporting

This post will guide you to create a custom column in OLAP cube report;

1. Once you have configured OLAP and have created pivot table. Click on MDX Calculate Measures (Analyze >> Calculations >> OLAP Tools >> MDX Calculate Measures)

Figure 1 Showing MDX Calculated Measures

2. In New Calculated Measure window.

· Enter Name of measure i.e. name of calculated field.

· Select the field to be used from “Fields and Items” tab.

· Click on “Insert”. Selected field will be displayed in White area under “MDX” label apply appropriate formulation.

· Select appropriate group from “Measure Group”

· To verify MDX click on “Test MDX”.

· Click on Ok.

Figure 2 Creating MDX Calculated Measures

3. Above newly added Measure one can find in Pivot Table field listing under a group selected during above step.

Figure3: Showing newly added Measure in PivotTable fields

4. Click on check box next to field to add field to Pivot Table.

Microsoft Shoring Up Tasks with Wunderlist To-Do App

The Berlin-based company behind the Wunderlist to-do app has been purchased by Microsoft . Redmond reportedly agreed to buy 6Wunderkinder GmbH for between $100 million and $200 million.

The purchase will indeed bring Microsoft something it lacks, namely mobile task management capability.

"Microsoft Project is a very heavyweight solution, geared toward large teams and complex project planning, and is not targeted to individual or small team use," said Stowe,managing director of research and analyst firm workfutures. "Although Project is integrated with Office as Project Online, it doesn't really solve the need for lighter weight task management, and is definitely not a 'mobile first, people first' product, which Wunderlist is, with very popular iOS and Android apps." 

Read More>>>

I personally would like to see this integrated with SharePoint and Project Server Task Management.