5 Microsoft 365 Features You’re Already Paying For – But Probably Aren’t Using

If you’re using Microsoft 365, you’re already paying for a powerful suite of productivity tools. But while most people are comfortable with Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams, many powerful features sit quietly in the background – unused, underutilised, or simply unnoticed. Here are five Microsoft 365 features you’re probably already paying for, but might not be using to their full potential.

1. Microsoft Forms – Simplify Surveys, Quizzes, and Feedback

Microsoft Forms is a lightweight tool for creating surveys, quizzes, and polls. It’s fast, user-friendly, and automatically collects responses in real time.

Use it for:

• Gathering team feedback
• Running internal quizzes or training checks
• Creating simple customer satisfaction surveys

It integrates directly with Excel for instant data analysis and requires no technical know-how to use.

2. Bookings – Streamline Appointment Scheduling

Microsoft Bookings is like having your own virtual assistant for scheduling. You can set availability, allow internal or external users to book time with you, and reduce the endless back-and-forth emails.

Use it for:

• Client consultations
• Internal one-on-ones or HR interviews
• Scheduling onboarding sessions or training

Bookings links directly with your Outlook calendar and lets you customise time slots, buffer times, and more.

3. Loop – Collaborative Workspaces That Update in Real Time

Microsoft Loop is one of the newer kids on the block, designed for real-time collaboration. Think of it as dynamic blocks of content that can live across multiple apps like Teams, Outlook, and OneNote — and stay in sync wherever they appear.

Use it for:

• Brainstorming ideas live with your team
• Collaborative meeting notes
• Managing checklists and action items

It’s particularly powerful for hybrid teams who want to reduce duplication and keep information consistent across platforms.

4. Planner – Visual Task Management Made Simple

Microsoft Planner is a flexible tool for organising teamwork. With simple visual boards, it helps teams assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress – all in a format that’s easy to understand at a glance.

Use it for:

• Managing project timelines
• Tracking task completion across teams
• Creating and assigning to-do lists for group work

Planner integrates with Microsoft Teams and Outlook and is perfect for keeping everyone on the same page without needing a separate project management tool.

5. OneNote – Your Digital Notebook That Never Gets Lost

While OneNote isn’t new, it’s often overlooked in favour of traditional note-taking apps. But OneNote’s deep integration with Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive makes it a powerful central hub for meeting notes, project planning, and research.

Use it for:

• Capturing ideas during Teams calls
• Organising personal and team knowledge
• Creating shared notebooks for projects

Unlike paper or scattered docs, OneNote keeps everything in one searchable, cloud-synced space.

You’re likely already paying for these tools as part of your Microsoft 365 subscription — so why not get more value out of them?

Need help getting started or rolling out Microsoft 365 features across your team? Contact the friendly TechPath experts or connect with us on LinkedIn for more productivity tips.