Microsoft ListsSource: Microsoft

What you need to know

  • Microsoft Lists is a new app for Microsoft 365.
  • The tool gives companies the ability to track and manage a wide variety of things like tasks, issues, agendas and more.
  • Microsoft Lists is expected to launch this summer on the web, as a mobile app, and as part of Teams, SharePoint, and Outlook.

Microsoft had a whole lot to say about Microsoft 365 at its Build 2020 conference today, and one of the highlights was the introduction of a new tool called Microsoft Lists. The latest addition to the Microsoft 365 suite gives companies the tools to track just about anything, ranging from issues to inventory and building agendas.

Microsoft Lists will be available on the web and as a separate mobile app. In addition, Lists will be integrated with Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint. Here's a quick look at the tool's highlights:

  • Microsoft Lists home (web) and mobile app – Create new lists and access recent and favorite lists
  • Microsoft Teams ♥ Microsoft Lists – Create a new list or embed an existing list directly in your Teams channel and start conversations on list items
  • Ready-made templates help you get started quickly – Jumpstart common scenarios with preconfigure structure, forms, and formatting
  • Customizable views and smart rules keep everyone in sync – Build if/then rules on status and value changes to send notifications to specified recipients

Microsoft Lists seems fairly open-ended in how you can use it, though it sounds like Microsoft plans to make it easy to get started with a set of templates for common uses. On the web and mobile app, you'll start out with homepage where you can start a list from scratch or use one of the templates. You can also import Excel data to get started quickly, or create new lists from existing lists.

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Templates that are available out of the gate include things like an issue tracker, a new-hire checklist, an event itinerary, and a recruiting list. You can also set up customizable views, including grid, gallery, and calendar views. There's also conditional formatting criteria, the option to set custom rules (like if/then steps), and the ability to create custom personal views that show only what you care about.

Microsoft Lists is expected to start rolling out later this summer for Microsoft 365 users.

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