--- title: "M-Files release notes: January 2023 update · CtrlDocs" url: "https://ctrldocs.com/blog/m-files-jan-23-update/" language: "en" description: "Our summary of the M-Files Online release notes for January 2023: Smart Search language analysis, end of life for M-Files 2018, faster optimisation and fixes." dateModified: "2026-10-14" --- [Release Notes](https://ctrldocs.com/blog/) # M‑Files January ’23 update: M‑Files 2018 retired What the January '23 update to M‑Files Online changes: Smart Search language analysis, end of life for M‑Files 2018, faster database optimisation and six defect fixes. 16 January 2023 [Frederik Madsen](https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederikmadsen/), CTO 2 min read ![Illustration of a release-notes list, with changes marked as new, improved, retired and fixed](https://ctrldocs.com/img/GsYitKrJfy-200.webp) In this article 1. [Smart Search language analysis](#smart-search-language-analysis) 2. [End of life for M‑Files 2018](#end-of-life-for-m-files-2018) 3. [Faster database optimisation](#faster-database-optimisation) 4. [Three-dot menu on the Pinned tab in offline mode](#three-dot-menu-on-the-pinned-tab-in-offline-mode) 5. [Updated listing arrows](#updated-listing-arrows) 6. [No duplicates when a mail import is cancelled](#no-duplicates-when-a-mail-import-is-cancelled) 7. [Defects fixed](#defects-fixed) M‑Files has released the January '23 update for M‑Files Online. The changes worth knowing about are an improvement to Smart Search, the end of life for M‑Files 2018, and a handful of defect fixes. Here is a summary of what it means in practice. ## Smart Search language analysis[#](#smart-search-language-analysis) Smart Search can now ignore plurals and skip common filler words, known as stop words, in languages other than English. If your vault holds documents in several languages, searches should return the right document more often without the user having to guess the exact word form. ## End of life for M‑Files 2018[#](#end-of-life-for-m-files-2018) Under the M‑Files Lifecycle Policy, M‑Files 2018 has reached its end of life. From the January ‘23 update onwards, only M‑Files Online receives updates, and M‑Files 2018 installations are moved to M‑Files Online, either through M‑Files’ automatic updates or by downloading the M‑Files Online installer from the M‑Files website. If you are still on 2018, this is the update to plan for. [Talk to us](https://ctrldocs.com/contact/) if you want a second pair of eyes on the move. ## Faster database optimisation[#](#faster-database-optimisation) Smart Search’s custom relevance ranking no longer relies on a static score, so the database optimisation now runs faster. ## Three-dot menu on the Pinned tab in offline mode[#](#three-dot-menu-on-the-pinned-tab-in-offline-mode) Some options in the three-dot menu of items on the Pinned tab cannot be used in offline mode. They are now greyed out or hidden while M‑Files Desktop is offline, so users do not start an action that will not run. ## Updated listing arrows[#](#updated-listing-arrows) The arrow icons in the M‑Files Desktop listing area have been updated. That covers the arrows that expand and collapse groups and objects, and the arrows next to the property group headers on the metadata card. ## No duplicates when a mail import is cancelled[#](#no-duplicates-when-a-mail-import-is-cancelled) M‑Files can import email from mailboxes that sign in with OAuth. Cancelling that import no longer leaves duplicate copies in the vault. ## Defects fixed[#](#defects-fixed) - The check-in dialogue at logout does not save changes in classic web - Date format mismatch with federated search in classic web - Error during vault optimisation - Expired token for authentication with the M‑Files Add-in for Teams - The Filename placeholder works incorrectly when adding many files to M‑Files - Forgot Your Password link is not visible in classic web Our [summary of the March '23 update](https://ctrldocs.com/blog/m-files-march-23-update/) covers a later release. This is our summary of the release notes, not an official statement from M‑Files. For the full detail, read the [official M‑Files Online release notes](https://empower.m-files.com/release-notes?Reseller_ID=505&partner=505). If you have questions about the update or need help with it, [contact us](https://ctrldocs.com/contact/). [← All articles](https://ctrldocs.com/blog/) In this article 1. [Smart Search language analysis](#smart-search-language-analysis) 2. [End of life for M‑Files 2018](#end-of-life-for-m-files-2018) 3. [Faster database optimisation](#faster-database-optimisation) 4. [Three-dot menu on the Pinned tab in offline mode](#three-dot-menu-on-the-pinned-tab-in-offline-mode) 5. [Updated listing arrows](#updated-listing-arrows) 6. [No duplicates when a mail import is cancelled](#no-duplicates-when-a-mail-import-is-cancelled) 7. [Defects fixed](#defects-fixed) [Book a demo](https://ctrldocs.com/contact/) ## See the products at work Book a demo and we'll show you the products that fit your M‑Files setup. [Book a demo](https://ctrldocs.com/contact/)