Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most powerful email management tools used for managing all email accounts from Microsoft and other providers, including Gmail, Yahoo, or iCloud. It has replaced the old Mail and Calendar, and proves the best combination of emails, calendars, and tasks together without switching to other apps.

The app helps to schedule a calendar to keep appointments tied to messages. Use the Advanced Search option to get back the older details, and the Focused Inbox and Conversation view make your threads readable, avoiding making the projects hectic.

Also available for: Android

What is Microsoft Outlook?

Microsoft Outlook was developed by Microsoft and was launched in 2013. It is available as part of the Microsoft 365 suite, and you can even use it as a standalone application. The productivity app helps to manage communication and organization while working as a replacement for Windows Mail and the Windows People contact management app. 

The app offers compatibility for Windows, macOS, mobile, and web browsers, allowing users to sync their data across multiple devices. The availability of multiple productivity tools enhances your communication capabilities. 

Microsoft Outlook Features

Modernized Appearance

The app offers a modernized appearance compared to the old versions, as the major part of the interface is white and gray, and some blue here and there. However, some people complain that buttons aren’t clearly visible because of the white color. The icons are text-based to make everything easily accessible. The entire layout is the same, with some minor changes.

Calendar Integration

The integration with the calendar enables users to manage their agenda, such as booking conference rooms, tracking RSVPs for meetings, and so on. The calendar sharing capability helps to plan and coordinate schedules, ensuring the availability of coworkers. The calendar management offers an all-in-one solution for sharing, scheduling, and getting reminders.

Manage Contacts

The handling of contacts is one major improvement, as it streamlines everything while combining contacts and adding contacts based on your linked accounts automatically. It also enables you to add contacts from all linked platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. In this way, you can seamlessly sync data across all connected accounts, and if a person is available on three platforms, the app will combine all three contacts into a single one and also include their profile pictures to make their identity easier. 

Enterprise-grade Security

It is one of the significant features, offering foolproof security and a trusted environment for the world’s largest organizations. So, the app offers 24/7 services for protecting confidential information. In addition, the anticipation of your requirements is also possible, as multiple payments such as travel and bills are automatically added to the calendar, and it also offers reminders to track your important activities.

Smart Tools

You will find multiple innovative smart tools with a clean and customizable interface. It includes ribbon and navigation panes that can be personalized according to user preferences. Multiple accessibility features, including high contrast themes, screen reader support, and Read Aloud, ensuring to work well for a huge audience. It also offers straightforward collaboration while offering integration with all Microsoft 365 apps such as MS Word, MS Excel, Teams, and SharePoint. However, the app has lack of multiple advanced project management tools, including Gantt charts. 

Organized Inboxes

The app is the best option to make your inbox organized, offering a repeatable triage loop, including sort, act, and archive without losing context. You can save time with Quick Steps for grouping actions such as filing, forwarding, and templated replies into one click. Make your cross-project reporting simple and easy while adding lightweight tags through Categories. 

Create Groups

You can create groups to manage your group activities such as discussing, collaborating, and sharing files and notes with your contacts. The integration with other productivity apps such as Skype allows users to start Business voice and video calls for urgent real-time discussions.

Cloud Integration

As the app is part of MS Office 365, you can easily upload your attachments to OneDrive and even OneDrive for Business. No need to switch to other apps; instead, share your uploaded apps, making it possible for others to access them automatically. 

Pros

• Organized communications and planning on a single platform
• Schedule your meetings or appointments
• Integrated with Microsoft Office 365
• Modern and customizable interface
• Integrated with OneDrive to upload and share attachments
• Cross-platform compatibility

Cons 

• Lack of advanced management tools
• The white color can create complexity in viewing buttons on the interface