Microsoft has announced it will introduce Outlook for Windows’ new Calendar application into Teams.
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The calendar will soon be available as an opt-in feature to trial via a toggle button. This is similar to the way users were able to switch between Classic Outlook and New Outlook in the past.
According to the Microsoft roadmap, the rollout start date for Teams users who opt-in to try the new calendar app is November 2024.
Microsoft described the new calendar app in its Microsoft 365 roadmap last month: “The new calendar in Teams combines rich productivity features and the latest innovations like Microsoft Copilot, to help users more seamlessly manage their schedules, prepare for and recap meetings, and even identify optimal days for in-office collaboration.”
The new calendar in Teams is designed to be familiar and reliable, as it’s one unified calendar that works across new Outlook for Windows, Outlook on the web, Microsoft Places, and now Microsoft Teams.”
“With this update, users will see the ‘New calendar’ toggle at the top right of the calendar app in Teams. The new calendar is off by default, and users can toggle to try the new experience.”
New Features
Microsoft MVP João Ferreira extrapolated some of Microsoft’s information to create a full rundown of calendar app features, what to expect, and how to prepare for the rollout.
In terms of the features, the app has advanced calendar surface features, including a new command bar that adapts to users, a capability to “Meet Now” and “Join with ID”, plus filters, split view, month view, saved views, customisable time scales, personalised settings, sharing options, and printing capabilities.
Improved meeting creation capabilities enable meetings to be created more quickly via quick view or the new scheduling form, which has more options and an updated look.
You can access meeting artefacts from the calendar along with completed meeting recaps.
Weather information can be made visible in the app relevant to your locale.
Work plans can be integrated using Microsoft Places to show work location and teammates’ availabilities in the office.
Place finder allows you to switch between floors and explore the various room capabilities while creating events.
Finally, the calendar can also be popped out to ease multitasking and app switching by right-clicking the Calendar icon.
What to Expect
The global availability of the calendar app has been set for January 2025 and completed by the end of that month.
There is little essential preparation admins will need to do in advance because even if they do not choose to try out the calendar app early, the rollout will take place automatically and the feature will be turned on by default.
However, Ferreira suggests notifying your users about the impending change and updating any associated documentation you may have.
Teams and Outlook were further integrated in April this year when Microsoft added the option for Outlook users to ‘follow’ a Teams meeting in response to meeting invitations.
Previously, invitees had a limited range of responses, such as “Accept”, “Decline”, or “Maybe”.
