Microsoft begins rolling out Loop components to Outlook for Windows

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced its plans to add support for Loop components to its Outlook e-mail client. Loop components are already available in Microsoft Teams and the Outlook web app, and Microsoft has now begun rolling out this feature in preview to Outlook for Windows.

Microsoft launched the Loop application last year to support real-time and asynchronous collaboration in its Office apps. It is a lightweight app with components that can exist in multiple apps, such as Microsoft Teams, Outlook and OneNote. Microsoft Loop components include a table, numbered list, bulleted list, paragraph list and task list.

“Loop components are live, interactive, collaborative objects that you can embed in team chats and now in emails. When you send a loop component, anyone in the email can edit it inline and see changes immediately. That means you can collaborate directly in an email message,” the company explains.

How to insert Loop components into Outlook emails

If you want to use Loop components, Outlook users can create a new e-mail or reply to an existing message. Click the run icon available on the toolbar and select a component to insert into the email. Once added, users can collaborate with their colleagues by copying and pasting components between Teams chats and e-mail.

Microsoft is gradually expanding the availability of Loop components in its Microsoft 365 apps. The integration of these components into Outlook for Windows should make it easier for remote teams to collaborate in different time zones.

Microsoft says the new Loop component integration in Outlook is currently available only to Office Insiders with Current Channel (Preview) builds. The company expects to make this update generally available to all web and desktop users by the end of December. However, it remains to be seen when Microsoft plans to bring this feature to Outlook for Mac.

source: petri