Microsoft Teams Calendar Gets a Makeover – Here’s Why It Matters
Sometimes Microsoft makes updates that sound small but turn out to be surprisingly impactful. This time, it’s about the Teams calendar. If you use Outlook, you’ll like this update. If you use Teams, it’s about to get much easier to manage your meetings.
Microsoft is aligning the Teams calendar with the Outlook calendar (and its web version, OWA – Outlook Web App). Basically, they’re turning Teams into something more familiar and useful. I noticed this change and thought: This is worth sharing.
Here’s what you need to know and why it matters.
First, What Is OWA?
If you’re not familiar, OWA stands for Outlook Web App. It’s the web version of Outlook where you can check emails, manage tasks, and organize your calendar. You don’t need to install anything—just open it in your browser.
OWA is powerful and intuitive. Microsoft is continuously improving it, and now they’re pulling parts of it into other apps, including Teams.
What’s Changing in the Teams Calendar?
Microsoft rolled out a new Teams calendar in mid-November 2024. Here’s the big news: It looks and feels like Outlook.
Here’s what that means for you:
- You’ll see familiar Outlook features, like the day, week and month view.
- Teams-specific tools will stick around. For example:
- The “Meet Now” button (for instant meetings).
- A dropdown menu to create several types of events, including virtual appointments or webinars.
The update happens automatically, and you don’t need to do anything. You’ll see a toggle to switch back to the old calendar temporarily—but that won’t last forever. I’m guessing Microsoft will retire the old version sometime in 2025.
Why Is Microsoft Doing This?
It’s simple: efficiency.
Microsoft’s “One Outlook” initiative is about creating a consistent experience across Outlook, OWA, and now Teams. Instead of building features separately, they reuse the same code. This makes updates faster and the apps more reliable.
The Edge WebView2 component is the secret sauce here. It powers OWA, Outlook, and Teams, which means Microsoft can pull everything together seamlessly.
For you, this update means less confusion, fewer clicks, and a smoother experience.
Is Teams Becoming Outlook Lite?
Not exactly.
Some people wonder if Teams will start including Outlook’s email features. Right now, there’s no sign of that happening. Teams is already crowded with features. Adding email would only make it messier.
The focus here is on making Teams work better for what it does best: meetings and collaboration.
What’s the Takeaway for You?
- If you use Teams, this update will make scheduling meetings easier and more familiar.
- If you’re an Outlook user, the transition will feel natural. It’s all the same tools, just in a different app.
- No action is needed—Microsoft rolls this out automatically. Just use the toggle switch.
Another Step Towards a Unified Microsoft 365 Experience
The new calendar in Teams is another step towards a unified Microsoft 365 experience. And let’s be honest: a little consistency goes a long way when juggling emails, meetings, and tasks.
So, give it a try. You’ll probably like it.
By the way, if you’re looking for a smarter way to manage your Outlook workflows, check out CRM in Outlook. We’ve got you covered.
