Microsoft Outlook to gain reactions to save your inbox from clutter
Much like Teams, Skype, and other popular communication apps, Outlook will soon let you use reactions.
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What you need to know
Microsoft will soon roll out support for reactions in Outlook for iOS and Android. The feature could arrive as soon as September 2021, but that date from theMicrosoft 365 roadmapis subject to change. With reactions, people will be able to quickly express an emotion without having to send an email.
“Thumbs up, laugh, heart, celebrate or shed a tear in reaction to emails in Outlook,” reads the Microsoft 365 roadmap. “Apply your sentiment and see the reaction of others in emails in Outlook without sending or receiving incremental emails.”
Sometimes when you receive an email, all you need to do is confirm that you’ve received it and understand its message. Sending an email just to say “sounds good” or a similar message can clog up a thread, making it harder to find specific messages. Being able to reply with a thumbs up, smiley face, or other reactions should eliminate the need for such short emails.
Reactions are also a handy way to get multiple people to show if they like or dislike an idea. People could ask others to weigh in with a reaction to show if they agree or disagree with a plan.
Outlook is a popular app for sending and receiving emails. With its upcoming support for reactions, you shouldn’t have to send short messages anymore to indicate an emotion.
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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_.
