In today's fast-paced business environment, accessing relevant information quickly and efficiently can significantly improve productivity. One of the tools that Microsoft provides to help with this is Delve, a smart and intuitive way to find and access trending files on portal.office.com. This blog will walk you through the steps to leverage Delve, explain how it integrates with Microsoft 365, and highlight its benefits for improving collaboration and efficiency.

What is Delve?

Delve is a feature in Microsoft 365 that uses artificial intelligence (AI) powered by Microsoft Graph to provide personalized insights and connections across your organization. Delve helps you find:

• Relevant files that you’ve worked on or that are shared with you.
• Trending content based on your interactions and connections within the organization.
• Profiles of colleagues, allowing you to see what they are working on (provided the content is shared and accessible).

Delve ensures that you have access to the most relevant content without manually searching through emails, folders, or shared drives.

Why Use Delve on Portal.Office.com?

Portal.office.com serves as the central hub for Microsoft 365 apps and services. Delve’s integration with this platform offers the following benefits:

1. Centralized Access: You can access all your Office apps, files, and trending documents in one place.
2. AI-Driven Insights: Delve surfaces files and information that are most relevant to you.
3. Collaboration Simplified: It fosters teamwork by connecting you with relevant documents and people.
4. Time-Saving: By highlighting trending and relevant files, Delve reduces the time spent searching for information.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Delve to Access Trending Files

Follow these steps to start using Delve effectively on portal.office.com:

Step 1: Log in to Portal.Office.com

1. Open your web browser and navigate to portal-office-com.
2. Enter your Microsoft 365 login credentials (email and password).
3. Once logged in, you will see the dashboard featuring various Office apps and services.

Step 2: Open Delve

1. On the portal.office.com dashboard, look for the Delve app icon. It might be listed under "All Apps" if it’s not immediately visible.
2. Click on the Delve icon to launch the app.

Alternatively, you can directly access Delve by visiting https://delve.office.com.

Step 3: Navigate the Delve Interface

Once you’re inside Delve, you’ll notice an intuitive interface with the following key sections:

1. Search Bar: Located at the top, this allows you to search for specific documents, people, or topics.
2. Home Page: Displays a mix of trending and recently accessed documents tailored to your activities and connections.
3. Me Tab: Shows files you’ve recently worked on or accessed.
4. People Tab: Lets you explore profiles of colleagues and their shared work.

Step 4: Find Trending Files

Trending files in Delve are determined by AI algorithms that analyze:

• Files shared with you via OneDrive, SharePoint, or Microsoft Teams.
• Projects or files your colleagues are actively engaging with.
• Recent emails containing file attachments.

To Access Trending Files:

1. On the home page of Delve, browse through the "Trending around you" section.
2. Click on any file to open it directly in its respective app (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
3. Use the filters or search bar to refine your results if needed.

Step 5: Collaborate with Colleagues

Delve is not just about files; it’s also about people. To collaborate effectively:

1. Go to the People Tab in Delve.
2. Search for a colleague’s name to view their profile.
3. Explore the documents they are working on, provided those documents are shared with you.
4. Open and contribute to shared files directly from Delve.

Step 6: Customize Your Delve Experience

Delve allows you to personalize your experience:

1. Favorites: Mark important documents as favorites for easy access later.
2. Boards: Organize related documents into boards by clicking the “Add to Board” option. Boards are visible to anyone with access to the documents, making them great for team projects.
3. Profile Updates: Update your profile with relevant information to help your colleagues find and collaborate with you more effectively.

Step 7: Access Delve Insights

Delve provides additional insights into your productivity and collaboration patterns. Here’s how you can use these insights:

1. Check the Analytics section for data on your collaboration trends.
2. Use the insights to optimize your workflows and focus on high-priority tasks.

Best Practices for Using Delve

To maximize the benefits of Delve on portal.office.com, consider the following tips:

1. Share Files Wisely: Ensure that documents you want to appear in Delve are stored in OneDrive or SharePoint and are shared with the relevant people.
2. Respect Privacy: Delve only displays content that you have permission to access. Avoid sharing sensitive files unless necessary.
3. Organize with Boards: Use boards to keep related documents together for easy collaboration.
4. Leverage Search Filters: Use keywords and filters to quickly locate specific documents.
5. Regular Updates: Periodically check your Delve profile and boards to ensure they remain relevant.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I access Delve on mobile?

Yes, Delve is available as a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. Simply download the app, log in with your Microsoft 365 credentials, and enjoy accessing trending files on the go.

2. Is my content safe on Delve?

Absolutely. Delve respects permissions and privacy settings. You will only see files that you have access to, and others can only see your shared content.

3. What determines a "trending" file?

Trending files are identified based on:

• Frequency of access by you and your colleagues.
• Relevance to ongoing projects or communications.
• Interaction patterns within Microsoft 365 apps.

4. How do I troubleshoot if I can't find a file on Delve?

• Check if the file is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint.
• Ensure that the file is shared with you.
• Use the search bar in Delve to locate the document.

Conclusion

Delve is a powerful tool for navigating and accessing trending files on portal.office.com. By leveraging its AI-driven insights, you can save time, boost collaboration, and stay focused on what matters most. Whether you’re working on individual tasks or team projects, Delve ensures you have the right information at your fingertips.

Start using Delve today by logging in to portal.office.com, and experience the benefits of seamless file access and collaboration in your daily workflow.