Microsoft Loop enters private preview with new features and capabilities
Microsoft announced new capabilities for Loop components at Ignite 2022.
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What you need to know
Microsoft Loop components allow people to work together across Microsoft 365. They consist of pieces of content that sync across apps, emails, and chats. Microsoft has been working on Loopsince last yearand announced several new features for it at Ignite 2022.
The Microsoft Loop app is now in private preview. In it, people can use workspaces, pages, and components to collaborate. Any changes made to these elements will sync throughout Microsoft 365. The company plans to get feedback from private preview users to shape the future of the app.
Microsoft is also expanding Loop components to be usable in more ways within the Microsoft 365 suite. It will soon be possible to insert polls, checklists, or task list components within Word for the web documents. Summoning content involves typing the @ sign and selecting suggested items.
Copying an existing Loop component to Whiteboard in Teams will be possible as well. Users will be able to do so on either the web or desktop.
By the end of 2022, poll components powered by Microsoft Forms will sync across Outlook on the web and Word for the web. This should help users keep track of survey responses, quiz answers, and word clouds as they’re updated by people.
Microsoft will also introduce a Q&A Loop component type that will let people collect answers in real-time. That feature will roll out in November 2022.
In addition to gaining new capabilities, Loop components will have new security options. Users will be able to encrypt components by marking them as confidential, restricting access, or highlighting the fact that sensitive data is being shown. They’ll also have Data Loss Prevention similar to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
