Unlock Hidden Productivity Tools: Exploring Lesser-Known Microsoft 365 Tools

Unlock Hidden Productivity Tools: Exploring Lesser-Known Microsoft 365 Tools

Author: Udhaya A, Automation Consultant, Atna Technologies

In our day-to-day work routine, we often rely on the various tools from Microsoft 365 world which includes Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Teams. But did you know that hidden within the 9-dot logo, there are some incredible productivity tools we might be missing out on? Let’s look at a few of these lesser-known tools that can take our efficiency and collaboration to the next level.

Microsoft Planner: Simplifying Task Management

Planner is our go-to for visual task management. It helps us organize our work visually, making it easy to create plans, assign tasks, and track progress. With visual task boards, we can customize and drag-and-drop tasks to keep everything organized. Plus, Planner boards can be embedded right into our Teams channels for seamless collaboration. Don’t forget the due dates and notifications to help us stay on track with deadlines.

 

Microsoft To Do: Personal Task Management 

For our personal and professional tasks, Microsoft To Do is a lifesaver. It’s simple yet powerful, keeping all our to-dos in one place. We can sort tasks by priority and due date, and the “My Day” feature helps us focus on what’s important today. The best part? It syncs with Outlook for a unified task management experience.

 

Microsoft Lists: Advanced Information Tracking 

Lists is perfect for tracking information and organizing work. Whether it’s issue tracking, asset management, or event planning, Lists has got us covered. We can use customizable templates for common scenarios and get started quickly. With integration with Power Automate, we can automate workflows to update lists and notify team members of changes. Plus, we can customize list items with rich text, links, and attachments.

 

Microsoft Whiteboard: Collaborative Brainstorming  

When it’s time to brainstorm, Microsoft Whiteboard is our digital canvas. It’s perfect for sketching ideas, creating diagrams, and writing notes. There’s endless space to let our ideas flow, and we can work with team members simultaneously, seeing their changes in real-time. Templates and sticky notes help us organize thoughts and streamline brainstorming sessions.

Microsoft Loop: Fluid Collaboration   

Loop is designed to bring our content and tasks together across Microsoft 365 into flexible, portable pieces that stay in sync. We can collaborate on content across different apps in real-time, and create and share lists, tables, and notes that can be embedded in various apps. Loop seamlessly integrates with Word, Excel, and Teams for fluid collaboration.

 

Microsoft Sway: Dynamic Presentations    

For creating visually appealing, interactive presentations, Sway is a game-changer. No advanced design skills are needed to create professional presentations. We can incorporate videos, images, and interactive charts effortlessly, and our presentations will look great on any device, adapting to different screen sizes.

 

Microsoft Viva Engage: Enhanced Employee Engagement      
Viva Engage (formerly Yammer) helps us build community and enhance communication within our organization. We can create and join groups to share knowledge and collaborate, encouraging open communication and idea sharing across all levels. It seamlessly integrates with Teams and SharePoint.

 

As a Microsoft Certified Partner, we owe it to ourselves to explore and utilize these powerful productivity tools. By familiarizing ourselves with these tools, we can enhance our workflow. Let’s start exploring these hidden gems and unlock new levels of productivity and collaboration within our organization!

Happy exploring!