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. <EOS>