A method of making a coated abrasive article, the method comprising: providing a structured abrasive article comprising: a backing having first and second opposed major surfaces; and an abrasive layer secured to the first major surface of the backing, the abrasive layer comprising abrasive composites secured to the first major surface of the backing, the abrasive layer having an abrading surface opposite the second major surface of the backing, wherein the abrasive composites comprise abrasive particles retained in a binder matrix, and wherein the abrading surface has a first projected area on the first major surface of the backing; and characterised by contacting a portion of the abrading surface with a laser beam to provide at least one microporous surface region in the abrading surface, wherein a majority of the microporous surface region comprises the binder matrix, wherein the at least one microporous surface region has a surface roughness greater than in portions of the abrading surface immediately adjacent to the at least one microporous surface region, wherein a projection of the at least one microporous surface region onto the first major surface in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface has a second projected area on the first major surface of the backing, and wherein the ratio of the second projected area to the first projected area is from 0.15 to 0.90, inclusive. providing a structured abrasive article comprising: a backing having first and second opposed major surfaces; and an abrasive layer secured to the first major surface of the backing, the abrasive layer comprising abrasive composites secured to the first major surface of the backing, the abrasive layer having an abrading surface opposite the second major surface of the backing, wherein the abrasive composites comprise abrasive particles retained in a binder matrix, and wherein the abrading surface has a first projected area on the first major surface of the backing; and characterised by a backing having first and second opposed major surfaces; and an abrasive layer secured to the first major surface of the backing, the abrasive layer comprising abrasive composites secured to the first major surface of the backing, the abrasive layer having an abrading surface opposite the second major surface of the backing, wherein the abrasive composites comprise abrasive particles retained in a binder matrix, and wherein the abrading surface has a first projected area on the first major surface of the backing; and characterised by contacting a portion of the abrading surface with a laser beam to provide at least one microporous surface region in the abrading surface, wherein a majority of the microporous surface region comprises the binder matrix, wherein the at least one microporous surface region has a surface roughness greater than in portions of the abrading surface immediately adjacent to the at least one microporous surface region, wherein a projection of the at least one microporous surface region onto the first major surface in a direction perpendicular to the first major surface has a second projected area on the first major surface of the backing, and wherein the ratio of the second projected area to the first projected area is from 0.15 to 0.90, inclusive.