CAN'T PIN FOLDERS ANYMORE IN EXCEL/WORD 2016

You are really close.

Choose the yellow folder that says browse.

This will open file explorer. Go over to the small pane on the left and scroll up to the top and you will see a blue star with Quick Access. Here you can pin folders. Seems odd at first but i am finding it quite handy.

I added the "open" command to the top of Excel in the quick access toolbar. It opens file explorer and the "Quick Access" section is in the left pane at the top again.

On the toolbar at the bottom of your screen you will see your "pinned" programs. File explorer is there by default. Right click it and you will see you "pinned files" From the tool bar I can easily jump to my pinned folders

Depending on your keyboard you can make shortcut keys to open file explorer and the "Quick Access" section is there again.

I hope this helps. I am finding it easier with a little practice.

Yes, that is the replacement for pinning folders inside of the Open dialog.

But it is NOT a replacement for the option to Pin.  I typically have application specific folders pinned. Putting all of the formerly pinned folders into the Quick Access leads to clutter AND running out of space!

Personally, I want Pinning in the Open dialog returned!

Me too! I have not seen a single case where the new "save/save as" is better or more useful than the old one (that allowed pinned folders).

It amazes me that Microsoft has not provided us with a simple excuse to make the change.

Sorry I can't help you there. I am not a Microsoft person or a programmer. Just a user like you.

However I did buy a Logitech programmable keyboard. It has dual purpose function keys. The have nice little icons on them and are set to open messenger or mail or pictures etc. I reprogrammed them (easy) to open folders, programs and files that I use often. There is about a dozen choices. If you need more, look for a more programmable keyboard.

Good luck

Buying a keyboard is not a feasible solution for a very useful feature that used to be part of MS Office.  Furthermore, not everyone wants to lug a Logitech keyboard around in their laptop backpacks ;)

This is just stupid that MS removed this functionality...