Build 2024: Microsoft Launches Fluid Framework 2.0 in Preview

Key Takeaways:

• Fluid Framework 2.0 enables developers to easily add real-time collaboration features to new and existing applications.
• The new Fluid Framework 2.0 supports Microsoft SharePoint Embedded, allowing developers to store collaboration data within Microsoft 365 tenants.
• Microsoft expects to make Fluid Framework 2.0 generally available this summer.

Microsoft has announced a public preview of the new Fluid Framework 2.0 today at its Build 2024 conference. The latest update to the company’s open-source platform is designed to let developers quickly build real-time collaborative apps.

Microsoft’s Fluid Framework debuted back in 2019. It enables developers to build low-latency applications that support real-time collaboration across Office apps. Fluid Framework is designed to change the way people collaborate and update content in Office 365. The framework powers Microsoft Loop, Whiteboard, Microsoft Teams Live Share, and other Microsoft and third-party apps.

Fluid Framework 2.0 offers a schematized data model called a SharedTree Distributed Data Structure (DDS) to add collaboration capabilities to new and existing applications. This new model provides an intuitive programming interface for working with different data types, including arrays, objects, and maps.

“The SharedTree data model is defined by a schema, which enables developers to use Fluid data structures like other TypeScript/JavaScript data structures. This means developers can continue to follow the same programming paradigms for developing local-first apps, while getting the benefits of real-time collaboration through Fluid Framework,” Microsoft explained.

Fluid Framework 2.0 supports SharePoint Embedded

In addition to Azure Fluid Relay, Fluid Framework 2.0 introduces support for Microsoft SharePoint Embedded. It’s a cloud-based file and document management system that supports collaboration on content stored within a Microsoft 365 tenant. Microsoft highlighted that the new SharePoint Embedded support lets enterprise developers store collaboration data within the users’ Microsoft 365 tenant to comply with security and compliance requirements.

Overall, Fluid Framework 2.0 helps organizations to build collaborative, scalable, and cross-platform applications that enhance productivity and foster seamless teamwork. Microsoft expects to make it generally available this Summer. If you’re interested, you can learn more about how to get started with Fluid Framework 2.0 on the official website.