You want to collaborate on a task list or agenda directly inside an email without switching apps. Loop components are interactive elements that stay in sync across Microsoft 365 apps. This article explains how to add these live components to a new message in Outlook.
Loop components allow multiple people to edit content like lists or tables in real time. The feature requires a Microsoft 365 work or school account. You will learn the steps to insert and use a component.
Key Takeaways: Adding Loop Components to Email
- Insert > Loop Component: The primary ribbon button to add a live table, list, or paragraph to your email draft.
- @mention in body: Type the @ symbol followed by a component name like “Task list” to insert it quickly using the modern compose window.
- Share component link: Copy a direct link to a specific Loop component to paste into chats or other documents outside of Outlook.
What Are Loop Components in Outlook?
Loop components are live, co-authored pieces of content that exist within an Outlook email. Unlike a static table, a Loop table can be edited by all recipients who have access to the email thread. Changes made by one person appear for everyone else in near real time.
The components are powered by the Microsoft Loop app and are stored in your OneDrive for Business. When you insert one into an email, you are sharing a link to that live data block. Common component types include task lists, numbered lists, bulleted lists, tables, and paragraphs. You need the new Outlook for Windows or the web version to create them.
Prerequisites for Using Loop
Your organization must have a Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscription that includes Loop. Your account must be a work or school account, as personal Microsoft accounts do not support component creation. You must also be using the new Outlook for Windows, which you can enable via the “Try the new Outlook” toggle, or Outlook on the web.
Steps to Insert a Loop Component
Use the ribbon menu or a keyboard shortcut to add a component. The process is the same whether you start a new email or reply to an existing thread.
- Open a new email window
Click the New Email button in the Outlook Home ribbon. Ensure you are using the new Outlook interface. - Navigate to the Insert tab
In the new email window, click the Insert tab on the ribbon at the top. - Click the Loop Component button
In the Insert ribbon, find and click the Loop Component button. A dropdown menu will appear with component options. - Select a component type
Choose from the list of available components, such as Task list, Numbered list, Bulleted list, Table, or Paragraph. The component will be inserted into the email body. - Add your content
Click inside the inserted component and type your text. For a task list, click the checkbox to add a new task line. For a table, click into cells to add data. - Send the email
Address the email to your collaborators and click Send. Recipients using supported Outlook clients can edit the component directly in the received email.
Alternative Method: Using the @ Menu
You can also insert a component by typing the @ symbol in the email body. This method works in the modern compose experience.
- Type @ in the body
In the email composition area, type the @ symbol. A menu of mentions and components will appear. - Select a Loop component
Scroll or type to find Loop components like “Task list” or “Table” in the menu. Click on the desired component to insert it. - Customize the component
The component is inserted as a live object. You can immediately start typing to populate it with your content before sending.
Common Mistakes and Limitations
Be aware of these typical errors and constraints when working with Loop components.
Loop Component Option Is Grayed Out
If the Loop Component button is unavailable, you are likely using the classic Outlook for Windows app. Switch to the new Outlook via the toggle switch in the top-right corner. Alternatively, your Microsoft 365 tenant administrator may have disabled the Loop service for your organization.
Recipients Cannot Edit the Component
Recipients using older email clients or mobile apps may see the component as a static, uneditable snapshot. For full editing, recipients need a supported Outlook client. They can always open the component in a browser via the provided link at the top of the component.
Accidentally Deleting the Component Link
The visible component in the email is a live view of data stored elsewhere. Do not delete the entire component block in the email if you only want to clear its text. Instead, edit the text within the component. Deleting the block removes the live link for all recipients.
Loop Components vs. Traditional Email Content
| Item | Loop Component | Traditional Email Content |
|---|---|---|
| Collaboration | Multiple people can edit in real time | Static; edits require new emails |
| Data Storage | Stored in OneDrive for Business | Stored within the email file itself |
| Client Requirement | Requires new Outlook or web version | Works in any email client |
| Content Types | Structured lists, tables, paragraphs | Plain text or HTML |
| Forwarding Behavior | Live link persists for new recipients | Content is copied as a snapshot |
You can now add interactive Loop components to your Outlook emails. Use the Insert tab or the @ menu to create a live task list for your team. If a component is not updating, check that all editors are using a compatible Outlook client. For advanced use, try copying a component link from the three-dot menu to share it in a Microsoft Teams chat.