Microsoft Outlook is getting a big makeover — and a much smarter way to book meetings

Microsoft Outlook is getting a large makeover — and a much smarter way to book meetings

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Microsoft Outlook is finally catching upward to the productivity apps that help the states all programme and manage our increasingly decorated days, weeks and months. To go there, Microsoft is calculation two new features it simply announced today: ane focused on planning and the other helping you lot schedule meetings.

Microsoft detailed the below features in a blog post entitled "Anybody needs some extra time," and unfortunately it bears no secrets in how to cleave out additional hours in the day. These features are coming to Outlook soon, for "customers with a commercial or instruction license."

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Microsoft Outlook calendar board

First upwards is a new feature called Outlook agenda board, which is based on the truth that the calendar is just half of your planning brain. This Board view (accessible nether the View button) basically takes your window and reduces the calendar's width by half, and then gives you the option to add together all sorts of other widgets to the "board."

Adjacent to the Calendar week view, you'll be able to pin other calendars, your Job lists, important Office files, viscous notes and other items. Think of it all as a giant interactive bulletin board for your many lives.

Microsoft Outlook Calendar Boards — Outlook Calendar Boards split your view between the week on the left and pinned items on the right. (Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft notes that "On average, people utilize 6 tools to runway all the things they need to get washed," which sounds well-nigh right (I rely on Google Suite, Fantastical, Due, Trello and Todoist). So if y'all're juggling productivity applications, Agenda Boards may be the solution y'all didn't know you lot so seriously needed.

Calendar Board view will arrive on Outlook on the web first.

Outlook gets smarter meeting scheduling

The other problem Microsoft is seeking to solve is the difficulty of planning meetings. fifty% of information workers polled by Microsoft said that finding a time to meet and scheduling meetings with multiple people is their "biggest meeting pain-point."

And so, to solve this Outlook's iOS and Android apps are going to be getting the ability to suggest times that piece of work for all of your invitees. If no such time is available, it will then look for times that work for all of your guests, and run across if you can reschedule one of your existing meetings.

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Henry is a senior editor at Tom's Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past six-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.