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| Microsoft Loop: The New Office App for the Era of Mixed Work |
Microsoft launched Microsoft Loop, a new Office application designed to help employees track project progress as they collaborate.
The biggest change to Microsoft Office documents in decades is the expansion of Microsoft Loop, which is at the heart of the new way to work in Office.
Microsoft Loop includes portable components that can move freely between applications and stay in sync so teams can think, plan, and create together.
Microsoft Loop is the new brand from Microsoft Fluid. It is a collection of Office collaborative content that exists independently of each other and can be copied, pasted, and shared with others.
Similar to Microsoft Fluid, Microsoft Loop has three main components: the loop component, the loop page, and the loop workspace.
Loop components are real-time content that can exist in multiple applications. It is updated in real time and anyone can access it for free.
It can be a list shared on a Microsoft Teams channel, or it can be edited in a loop, or notes in a calendar entry in Outlook can also be pasted and edited in real time into an email.
These components can also be located in the main Microsoft Loop Center, within what the company calls the Shared Loop Workspace.
The Loop component is almost like a Project window, where you can see a list of all the components of the Loop, the Loop page, and the people who are currently working on it. It's more like a modern file browser, everything is real-time and collaborative.
Microsoft Loop extends to Microsoft 365 apps
The Loop page is a separate area where users can share and collaborate on the Loop component. It's similar to a modern version of the whiteboard, but more powerful because you can insert and share components created by people outside of Loop.
Not everyone has to be part of the entire cycle, as individual components can be changed in real time from other applications.
This collaborative loop components have been Microsoft's dream for several years. The company is clearly adapting the way it operates Loop to the realities of pandemic life.
Microsoft Loop Central appears to be an improved way to track and organize these components. It's an obvious answer to the new era of mixed-use work that many companies are preparing for.
Although Microsoft has been talking about Loop (Fluid) for nearly 18 months, it doesn't show up in the Office apps.
Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and OneNote Microsoft Loop components will be added this month. The main application for Microsoft Loop will be released later.