Even since its introduction, Microsoft Loop has generated considerable buzz as a versatile platform for productivity and teamwork. With workspaces, pages, a block editor, and a slash command, it’s unlike any Microsoft app we have ever seen. The software giant was touting it as the future of work, so I had to take it for a spin.
I replaced my productivity tools with Loop for several weeks. I wanted to see if a single platform excels in so many domains, or does Loop’s nature risk it from becoming a jack of all trades, master of none?
Microsoft Loop falls short as a note-taking tool
As someone who juggles a lot of information between an Android phone and a Windows laptop, I bumped into some frustrations trying to rely on Microsoft Loop for my note-taking needs. While the idea of having everything connected is appealing, Loop falls short when it comes to the nitty-gritty of capturing and organizing thoughts.
There is a dedicated Ideas tab, but Loop doesn’t offer a one-tap solution to open a new page in it. Sometimes, I need to jot down a fleeting idea, a website link, or a phone number without navigating into a workspace (or Ideas tab) and creating a new page. With dedicated note-taking apps, this is often a single click or a simple shortcut away. In Loop, every note requires a certain level of organization.
The organization is also unintuitive. Sometimes, I want to see all my notes related to a specific topic, regardless of the project they belong to. Tags would solve this beautifully. In Loop, I have to remember which workspace and page I stored that thought.
Project management leaves a lot to be desired
While I appreciate that Microsoft Loop offers Kanban boards to visualize project progress, as someone who uses dedicated project management tools like Trello and Asana, Loop’s Kanban feels average. Initially, I was excited to see the Kanban view integrated within Loop workspaces. It’s handy for getting a quick, visual overview of tasks moving through different stages.
However, I run into issues when I do anything beyond that basic workflow. For example, it lacks automation with third-party tools. I can’t connect it to Slack and receive notifications in real time. The level of detail I can add to a task card is also basic compared to the rich information fields, custom fields, and attachment options I’m used to on other platforms.
I feel Loop is ideal for managing small personal projects only. However, it doesn’t come anywhere near serious project management solutions.
Loop excels as a word-processing software
While Loop doesn’t have the depth of features found in something like Microsoft Word, I’ve been impressed with its collaborative writing and document creation capabilities. The block editor is where Loop shines in this regard. It’s modern and intuitive. It feels like a breath of fresh air compared to standard toolbars on the likes of Word and Docs.
I can easily drop in headings of different levels, format text with bold and italics, and create lists. Code blocks feel incredibly smooth. The ease of use is at another level. It doesn’t stop at text and media integration. I can embed a code block, a Mermaid chart, a table of contents, a decent database, quotes, and more with a simple slash (/) command. It only misses out on TTS (Text-to-speech), but it’s not a dealbreaker.
The database options are limited
If you are switching from Notion to Loop, brace yourself for disappointment. Notion is known for its robust database capabilities. You can create tables and Kanban boards with Loop, and that’s about it. There is no way to add other database views, like Gallery, List, Gantt, Calendar, Charts, and more.
In Notion, I can create columns with a wide array of data types – text, numbers, dates, checkboxes, multi-select tags, relations to other databases, and sophisticated formulas that automatically calculate and display information based on other columns. In Loop, the column options feel basic. I can input text and numbers, and perhaps select from a limited set of pre-defined options.
It impacts how I can use tables for anything beyond simple data entry. Here is where Microsoft needs to work hard to match Notion. It also requires more templates. The current selection is too slim.
Integration with third-party apps is limited
Since I planned to use Microsoft Loop as a sole productivity tool, the lack of support for third-party apps was a dealbreaker. I can only directly embed files from Trello and Jira, which feels limiting (it’s not available for personal accounts).
My team, like others, relies on a diverse set of tools for different aspects of our work. We use Figma for design collaboration, Framer and Sketch for prototyping, Excalidraw for quick diagrams, and cloud storage solutions like Box and Dropbox to manage files.
There is no way to embed and view files from these services in Loop. This limited integration with third-party apps is a drawback for a platform that advertises itself as a collaborative hub. I had to switch between apps, which was irritating.
Collaboration experience is top-notch
Despite its limitations, I must give credit where it’s due. It’s one of the standout features that keeps drawing me back to the platform. The real-time co-editing is incredibly fluid. It’s seamless in a way that makes working together on documents, lists, or Kanban boards feel natural.
This immediacy makes brainstorming sessions, collaborative writing, and quick information sharing more efficient. Loop components is another handy feature I appreciate. I can create a task list, copy it as a component, and share it across Outlook and Teams. It bridges the gap between communication and actual work in a way that feels intuitive.
It’s a shame I can’t use Loop beyond word processing software. I would love to share my projects and notes using the same excellent experience.
Decoding Loop
Whether Microsoft Loop is a jack of all trades and master of none is not a simple yes or no. It offers a versatile environment, but for me, it falls in many areas, including note-taking and project management. As of now, I’m moving to dedicated tools like OneNote and Trello to get the job done.
At the same time, I’m impressed with Microsoft’s Notion clone. The collaboration experience was smooth, and Loop components can be handy during Teams meetings. I will continue to watch Loop developments. Check out my dedicated post if you are confused between Notion and Loop for your workflow.
