Microsoft Loop and Outlook

In our previous article, Microsoft Loop and Microsoft Teams, we reviewed how Loop Connectors, Loop Pages, and Loop Workspaces provide the space for Team members to collaborate in real-time, in-line, and co-author content.

The collaborative Microsoft Loop app is being released to several MS apps, including Teams and Outlook. In this article, we will look at how Loop Components can be used in Outlook email to engage recipients to work together to edit content, whether it be Q&A, task lists, paragraphs, or tables.

How to Create and Use Loop Components in Outlook

Loop Components can be added to your email in Outlook by:

1. In the empty email message box, select the Loop Components icon;
2. In the popup, choose the Loop Components that you would like to insert into your message. The choices include Task List, Agenda, Bulleted List, Checklist, Numbered List, Paragraph, Table, and Q&A. Note that the choices differ from Teams and do not appear in the same order;
3. An info popup will appear;
   
   
   
4. The Loop Components that you chose will now appear. Populate with your content. A suggestion is to start with a paragraph as you can add additional components into the paragraph. Note that you cannot insert Q&A into the paragraph;
5. Multiple Loop Components can be inserted into your email;
6. Edit or add the content to your Loop Components before sending the email; and
7. When you have completed creating your content, select Send and everyone addressed in your email will be able to see and edit the content inline.

When emailing messages with Loop Components inserted, you are automatically cc’d in the email. If you choose that you do not want to be copied, simply remove your name from the cc (carbon copy) line in the address; however, if you leave yourself to be sent a copy, you can Pin the email to the top for quick, easy access to the components. All recipients who are within your organization and tenant will be able to access, add, and edit the components. If you have an external recipient, they will receive the email with links but will not be able to access the Loop Components.

Interoperability of Loop Components with Microsoft Teams and Outlook

Can you bring Outlook email Loop Components into Microsoft Teams and vice-versa? The answer is Yes! To bring an Outlook email message’s Loop Components into your Teams Chat:

1. At the top right of the Loop Component, copy the link to the Loop Component by clicking on the Copy icon;
2. In Microsoft Teams Chat, paste the link that you copied from step 1; and
3. Team members in your Chat can now edit, comment, and add to the email’s Loop Component.

To bring a Teams Chat Loop Component into an Outlook email message, follow the same steps as above, but paste the link into the message.

Microsoft Loop further supports hybrid work environments by providing real-time, co-authoring in Microsoft Teams Chat and Outlook emails. With its Fluid Framework, Loop steps up the game of collaboration with Loop Components, Loop Pages, and Loop Workspaces that provide the platform for Microsoft Teams and Outlook email recipients to focus, collaborate and co-create content at the same time and inline. From unfinished ideas to great outcomes, Microsoft Loop Components enable your Teams to stay in the flow of their work, streamlining workflow processes, and gaining time with real-time, inline collaboration.