Microsoft Loop vs OneNote - which tool should you choose? Comparison

June 29, 2024

Effective note management and team collaboration are key to success in both work and education. Microsoft offers two powerful tools - OneNote and Loop, which revolutionize the way we organize information and collaborate. In this article, we will look at how these tools can streamline your work, compare their features, and find out what development plans they have.

  • What is Microsoft OneNote?
  • What features does Microsoft OneNote offer?
  • What is Microsoft Loop?
  • What features does Microsoft Loop offer?
  • What are some example usage scenarios for OneNote and Loop?
  • Comparison of Microsoft OneNote and Microsoft Loop
  • How to work with Loop components in OneNote?
  • How does Copilot make working in Microsoft OneNote and Microsoft Loop easier?
  • Summary

OneNote is available on desktop computers and as a mobile app

What is Microsoft OneNote?

Microsoft OneNote, which has been part of the Microsoft 365 suite for years , is a comprehensive tool for creating, organizing and sharing notes. It allows users to create digital notebooks with a variety of content such as text, images, hand-drawn drawings, audio and video recordings. OneNote is available on a variety of platforms, including desktop computers, tablets and smartphones, giving you the flexibility and ease of accessing your notes from anywhere.

What features does Microsoft OneNote offer?

OneNote allows you to create notes in the form of pages, organized into sections and notebooks. With the tagging feature, users can easily tag important information and find it later. OneNote automatically syncs your notes in the cloud via OneDrive, so you can access them from any device. Notes are available both online and offline, giving you the flexibility to work. OneNote allows multiple users to collaborate on the same notes at the same time, which is perfect for teams working on collaborative projects. Version history allows you to view and undo changes. OneNote is integrated with other Microsoft 365 apps like Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel, making it easy to move content between apps.

Task list view in Microsoft Loop

What is Microsoft Loop?

Microsoft Loop is a modern collaboration tool that has been part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem since 2023. Loop consists of dynamic components that can be embedded in various Microsoft 365 applications, such as Teams, Outlook, Word and OneNote. Loop components are updated in real time, so you can stay connected without having to switch between applications.

What features does Microsoft Loop offer?

Loop allows you to create modular components that can be embedded in various applications. Users can create task lists, tables, notes, and more that are automatically synced across all users. Loop components are synchronized in real time in the Microsoft 365 cloud, allowing you to access them from any device. Offline work is also supported, and changes are synchronized when you reconnect to the Internet. Loop allows multiple users to edit the same content at the same time. Changes are visible immediately to all participants, which improves team collaboration. Loop is fully integrated with Microsoft 365 applications such as Teams , Outlook and OneNote. This allows you to seamlessly move and embed content between different tools, increasing work efficiency.

Comparison of Microsoft OneNote and Microsoft Loop

FunctionMicrosoft OneNoteMicrosoft Loop
Creating notesYesYes
Content organizationNotebooks, Notebooks, SectionsComponents, Pages, Workspaces
Real-time editingYesYes
Cloud SyncYesYes
Microsoft 365 IntegrationYesYes
Formatting and multimediaAdvancedBasic
Dynamic pages and spacesNOYes
CopilotYesYes

What are some example usage scenarios for OneNote and Loop?

Microsoft OneNote

  • Meeting Notes: Perfect for taking notes from meetings with the ability to add whiteboard photos and links to documents.
  • Project management: Allows you to create detailed project plans, schedules and task lists.
  • Personal and Academic Notes: Perfect for students to take notes on lectures and organize teaching materials.

Microsoft Loop

  • Document Collaboration: Enables teams to collaborate on documents in real time by embedding Loop components in Teams and Outlook.
  • Task Management: Perfect for creating to-do lists, assigning them to team members, and tracking progress.
  • Creative Projects: Perfect for brainstorming sessions and planning creative projects.

How to work with Loop components in OneNote?

Microsoft OneNote now supports full integration with Loop components, greatly enhancing team collaboration capabilities. Loop components can be embedded directly into OneNote notes, allowing you to dynamically edit and update content in real time. This allows teams to collaborate on documents, tables, task lists, and more without having to switch between applications.

Users can add Loop components to their OneNote notes, and any changes made to those components are immediately visible to all collaborators. This makes working on projects more fluid and efficient. Additionally, Loop components make it easier to track progress, manage tasks, and share information in context, which is especially useful during meetings and remote work.

Microsoft Loop design view and logo displayed on a smartphone

How does Copilot make working in Microsoft OneNote and Microsoft Loop easier?

Copilot is an advanced AI-based tool that supports users in both Microsoft OneNote and Microsoft Loop. Its main task is to automate and streamline the process of creating, organizing, and editing content, which significantly increases work efficiency.

In Microsoft OneNote , Copilot helps users organize their notes by analyzing context and suggesting additional, useful content. For example, when taking notes from a meeting, Copilot can suggest related information or remind you of tasks to do. Using advanced natural language analysis, Copilot detects and corrects spelling and grammar errors, which helps maintain a high level of professionalism in documents. Copilot's automatic organization of notes, including suggesting relevant sections and tags, makes it easier for users to find the information they need and stay organized.

In Microsoft Loop, Copilot supports the creation and sharing of modular components such as task lists, tables, and notes. Thanks to AI capabilities, Copilot can suggest next steps or tasks to perform, which significantly improves project management and teamwork. Copilot analyzes content in real time, automatically corrects errors, and suggests appropriate sections and labels, which makes it easier to manage information.

Copilot's integration with OneNote and Loop makes these tools even more powerful and efficient. Users can count on intelligent support in work organization, allowing them to focus on the creative and strategic aspects of their projects. Copilot not only saves time, but also improves the quality of the documents created, which translates into better results in team and individual work.

Learn how to effectively use Copilot in OneNote and Loop by purchasing the video course by CentrumXP.pl!

Summary

Microsoft OneNote and Microsoft Loop are powerful note management and collaboration tools. OneNote is perfect for creating and organizing notes, offering advanced options for formatting and adding media. Loop, on the other hand, focuses on dynamic collaboration, enabling teams to work more efficiently through modular components. Both applications use advanced artificial intelligence features, such as Copilot, which further increases their functionality and work efficiency.

The choice between OneNote and Loop depends on users' individual needs and preferences. OneNote is great for creating comprehensive notes, while Loop is perfect for tasks that require intense team collaboration. Both applications are constantly being developed, which makes them better adapted to the changing requirements of users. With constant updates and innovations, both OneNote and Loop remain at the forefront of note management and collaboration tools within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Read more:

  • Everything we already know about Copilot for Microsoft 365
  • Lesser-known Microsoft 365 apps: Loop
  • Lesser-known Microsoft 365 apps: Forms
  • Lesser-known Microsoft 365 apps: Bookings
  • Lesser known Microsoft 365 apps: Clipchamp

Source: microsoft.com, centrumxp.pl, own study