Microsoft Loop is the latest creation from Microsoft designed to help teams work together more efficiently across projects. Consisting of components, pages and workspaces, Microsoft Loop brings together your plans into a single space.
How do we access Microsoft Loop?
Microsoft Loop is included in both Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Business Premium. If you have either of these licenses you already have access at no additional cost.
If you have these licences but aren’t able to access Loop then you may need to enable it via a Cloud Policy setting. You can find out how to do this here Manage Loop workspaces in SharePoint Embedded | Microsoft Learn
Loop is then available as a web application from loop.microsoft.com and across the various applications that can handle Loop components such as Teams and Outlook.
Top Tip: If you are using Loop regularly you can add workspaces as a desktop app by opening Loop.microsoft.com, selecting the three dots in the top right of your browser. Find “Apps” from the menu and select “Install this site as an App” to add a shortcut to your desktop.
What are Loop Workspaces, Pages and Components?
Microsoft Loop comprises these three core elements.
Workspaces
Workspaces are the central container for all of your Loop pages and components. Think of each workspace as a standalone project to help you organise where information can be found and updated when required. Workspaces are comprised of pages and can consist of one or more pages.
Find out more about Loop Workspaces and Pages here
Pages
Loop Pages are spaces that help you bring all of your notes, ideas, plans and actions into a single location. Pages are always contained within a workspace. They can start of small and continue to grow to meet the project needs. Each page is an infinite canvas that can contain any number of individual components.
Find out more about Loop Workspaces and Pages here
Components
A Loop Component could be a table, paragraph, to-do list or other item. These individual elements within a Loop Page can be shared across Teams and Outlook. This means they can appear in multiple locations and when updated in one, they update in real time in every location.
Loop components allow you to share specific sections of a Loop page with users who don’t have access to the rest of the page or workspace.
Find out more about Loop components here
Microsoft Loop Mobile App
Microsoft Loop even has a mobile app so you can review your Loop workspaces on the move. You can access all of the elements of Loop from within the mobile app and even receive notifications when you are mentioned or assigned a task within a workspace.
Additionally, you can add photos directly to a Loop workspace or page using your phones camera or photo library.
The mobile app is available on both Apple and Android.
What are the limitations of Microsoft Loop?
Microsoft Loop is a great tool for collaborating and sharing ideas with your team. However, it does have a few limitations:
- Currently Loop components can only be shared within your organisation. However, it is anticipated that you will be able to share Loop components outside of our organisation in 2024.
- Planner boards won’t work in the mobile app when viewing a workspace or when shared in Teams or in Outlook. Instead you’ll be presented with a URL that you can follow to open the planner board directly in the web browser on your device.
