If your business already uses Microsoft 365, you’re in good company. Tools like Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams are essential parts of everyday work for many teams. But what if we told you there are several other powerful tools within Microsoft 365—tools you already have access to—that could dramatically improve your workflows?
In our work with small businesses, we often find that many Microsoft 365 features go unused simply because people aren’t aware of what’s available. Below are five tools you may not be using yet—but once you do, you’ll wonder how you got by without them.
Planner offers a simple, intuitive way to organize projects and tasks visually—perfect for teams that like drag-and-drop boards or need a lightweight project management solution. It integrates seamlessly with Teams and Outlook, allowing you to stay on top of assignments without needing a separate tool.
Power Automate helps you streamline repetitive tasks by connecting your apps and services. Whether it’s automatically saving email attachments to SharePoint or getting alerts when a form is submitted, you can build simple workflows that reduce manual work and free up time for more important tasks.
Need a central place to gather ideas, meeting notes, or research? OneNote makes it easy to keep everything organized and searchable. You can access notes from any device and even collaborate in real time with your team.
Microsoft Forms is a lightweight but powerful tool for gathering input—whether you’re sending a quick survey, collecting event RSVPs, or building an internal quiz. It’s easy to use and automatically compiles responses for you.
Microsoft Loop is one of the newer tools in the 365 ecosystem, designed to bring documents and collaboration closer together. You can work on components like lists, tables, or checklists across apps—in real time—without needing to switch tabs or apps constantly.
If your business is already using Microsoft 365, chances are you’re paying for more than you’re currently using. The good news? Unlocking the full potential doesn’t require switching platforms—just a little exploration and guidance.
