Note: Loop components were introduced as an experiment for targeted release users in Word for the web. We have decided to reverse the rollout until improvements are made based on your feedback. In Word for the web, existing Loop components will function as normal; however, the option to insert new Loop components has been turned off, and pasted Loop components will now appear as links in Word documents. Loop components will continue to be available in all other apps, including the Loop application, which provides access to all Loop components seen in Word for Web and elsewhere.

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Loop components are live, interactive, collaborative objects that you can embed in Teams chats and emails – and now also in Word for the web – as a convenient way to ideate, create, and plan together.

While working in a Word document, you can create a Loop component and then post a link to it into Teams or email where others’ edits will be immediately seen in your Word document. Everyone in your organization with whom you’ve shared the document will be able to edit it and see changes instantly.

Insert a new Loop component

  1. Go to the location in your Word document where you want to insert the new Loop component. Make sure the cursor is not inside a table, list, header, or footer.

  2. Select Insert, then choose Loop Component ...

  3. Use the drop-down list to select the type of Loop component you want to insert. 

  4. Enter content into the new component.

Share a Loop component

If you @mention someone within a Loop component, they will get an email notification with a link to the Loop component. You can also send a link to the Loop component using following steps. 

  1. In the upper right corner of the Loop component, select the Copy link  Copy link code icon icon. 

  2. To share, you can paste the link in other apps (e.g., Teams, Outlook).

Tip: You can also select a shareable link by clicking on the header and then copying via CTRL+ C.

Insert existing Loop component into document

By default, pasting the link displays the content of the Loop component – unless you are pasting it inside a table, list, header, or footer. 

  1. In the upper right corner of the Loop component, select the Copy link Copy link code icon icon.  Or with the Loop component opened on Office.com, copy the link via the ‘share’ button. 

  2. Go to the destination and paste via CTRL+V (or right-click menu).

  3. To paste only the link, select Insert link on the Insert tab.

Note: You must copy and insert the link as described here. Loop component paste-in won’t display if the link is copied as a web address from a browser address bar. 

Edit a Loop component

Once you have created a Loop component in a document, you can share it with others to invite more people to collaborate. No matter where edits are made, the component will always show the latest changes. Here's how collaborators can provide edits and comments: 

  1. Within the existing Loop component, select the location to add or edit content.

  2. Proceed with typing and editing.

  3. Optionally enter a slash (/) to insert things like @mentions or dates. Enter two slashes (//) in existing text to add a comment, which will be attributed to you.

View activity and access

If others are editing while you’re viewing the component, you will see different colored cursors therein. You may also see the text being edited. 

Loop Avatars

Avatars appear in the upper right corner to indicate who is viewing, editing, or has recently edited the component. Select or hover your cursor over any avatar for details. You can also select the See who has access Loop Users Icon icon. This will display the avatars of those who have viewed the component at least once.   

View/edit a file with a Loop component on Office.com

Here’s how to open a Loop component in Office.com: 

  1. Select Copy link  Copy link code icon in the upper right corner of the Loop component.

  2. Paste the link in a browser.

  3. View and edit in the browser.

Find an existing Loop component

Loop components are saved automatically to your OneDrive. Using Search, you can easily find them on either Office.com or OneDrive. 

Tip: The title of your Loop component might also be applied as its filename. To facilitate search, use a memorable, descriptive name. 

FAQs

We are continuously striving to improve our products and we rely on your feedback. If you face any challenges with using Loops in Word or have any suggestions on how we can further improve your experience, please let us know. You can do this via Give feedback to Microsoft at the bottom of your Word document or via Feedback on the Help tab. Include the hashtag #Loops in the title of your note. 

To render a Loop component properly, the email must be in HTML format. All other email formats will simply display a link to the Loop component.   

Here are several possible explanations: 

  • The document is in Viewing mode rather than Reviewing or Editing mode.

  • The document is opened in Safari or Teams on Mac (not yet supported).

  • Loop components have been turned off by your organizational admin.

  • You are not using your organizational Windows login to access Teams on Windows, possibly signed in with a personal account or other login.

Loop components in Word for the web are available to everyone in your organization who has the link. You cannot limit access to only certain people in your organization. 

Note: Changing who has access to the document has no effect on who can access the Loop component.

Currently, Loop components are available only to people within your organization. 

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The message indicates that this Loop component may be shared more freely than your organization’s default new-link configuration specifies. The component could be viewed and edited by anyone in your organization who has the link. If this is acceptable, select Insert and share to proceed. Otherwise select the alternative action button: either Cancel or Display as Link, depending on your specific scenario. 

Learn more

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