How to Send a Poll in Outlook: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Sending a poll through email can feel like waving a magic wand. One minute you’re scratching your head over what the group thinks, and the next minute, voilà, a graph of preferences appears on your screen! Microsoft Outlook makes this wizardry possible with built-in polling features, so we can gather insights without breaking a sweat. Whether it’s for deciding on a lunch spot for the office or gathering critical feedback for a project, polls help us collect opinions efficiently and democratically.

Have you ever experienced the tumbleweed moment when you ask for input in an email, and all you get is silence? That’s when inserting a poll into your Microsoft 365 or Office 365 Outlook email saves the day. Integrated within the email platform, the poll function is a nifty tool letting recipients cast their vote with just a click. No more sifting through scattered responses, just a tidy summary of the collective voice. And guess what? It’s as easy as pie—so let’s roll up our sleeves and get into the hows and whats of sending a poll in Outlook.

Setting up a Poll in Outlook

When we want to gather opinions quickly, sending a poll in Outlook is as painless as pie. In Outlook for Microsoft 365, Outlook 2019, and Outlook 2016, creating a custom poll is a breeze. First things first, on the home stretch of drafting a new email, we’re going to take a jog over to the Insert tab. There, we’ll find our trusty companion, the Poll button—couldn’t miss if we tried!

Next, a panel flutters to life on the right. Here, we input our poll question and cook up some choice answers. Just the one question per email, but don’t fret—we can stir in multiple answers for our recipients to pick from.

Now suppose the pre-set voting buttons don’t tickle our fancy. No problem! Under the Options tab, we seek out Use Voting Buttons. A few clicks and we’re customizing faster than you can say “please reply.”

Once we’re pleased as punch with our poll, we let it fly into our email with a click of Insert poll into email. Bob’s your uncle—there it goes off into the digital wild, to fetch us those precious nuggets of feedback!

Customizing Poll Options

Getting your poll just right in Outlook can make all the difference in gathering the insights you need. Let me walk you through sprucing up those options so they resonate with your audience.

Using Predetermined List

When we’re aiming for straightforward, sometimes the best way to go is with a predefined list of options. It’s like offering a familiar menu – everyone knows what they’re choosing from, no surprises. Set these in stone using the Use Voting Buttons in Outlook. It’s a piece of cake: when you’re composing your new email, just tap on the Options tab and presto! A smorgasbord of default responses like “Yes”, “No”, or “Maybe” will pop up. To go the custom route:

Adding Multiple Answers

Now, let’s say we’re feeling a bit adventurous and one answer just won’t cut it. Why not let your audience pick more than one option? Simply put, it’s like giving them an extra scoop of ice cream – who wouldn’t love that? Here’s how we spice things up:

Remember, it’s all about giving the power of choice – it shows respect for diverse opinions and can lead to more nuanced feedback. It’s like they say, variety is the spice of life, and in this case, our polls too!

Distributing and Tracking Polls

Sending out a poll via email in Outlook is akin to tossing a line into the digital sea – you’re eagerly awaiting the bites of feedback. It’s not just about waiting, though; it’s about actively checking your catch.

Sending to Recipients

When we’re ready to fish for opinions, we slide into our Outlook email and hit ‘New Email’. From there, we cast the net – that’s the Insert Poll button. Type your question, bait it with poll options, and let it loose by clicking ‘Insert poll into email’. Hook, line, and sinker, you send it off to your chosen school of recipients, expecting they’ll nibble on your inquiry.

Viewing Poll Responses

Now, don’t just sit there; keep an eye on your line! Tracking is a thrill. Outlook polls integrate with Microsoft Forms, so every response is a wave in the data ocean. Go to the email with your poll and check the voting card for a snapshot of results. Thirsty for more? Click ‘View in Forms’ for the full aquatic dance of data. Refresh as needed to see the latest ripples of responses.

Nothing like seeing those responses swim in real-time, right? It’s like watching your very own school of fish that you’ve gathered with just a question. Now, let’s keep those emails flowing and the responses rolling in!

Enhancing Collaboration Through Polls

When we’re looking to nail down a meeting time that suits everyone, sending a poll to our co-workers via a group email is like hitting the ‘Easy’ button. It’s all about getting a consensus without the back-and-forth chaos. Trust us, it saves time and your inbox from the barrage of “I can’t make it then” emails.

Consider the schedule that’s as packed as a can of sardines. We put our heads together, using polls, and voilà—a meeting poll transforms chaos into order. It’s a symphony of clicks rather than a cacophony of clashing schedules.

Imagine having the power to round up colleagues’ opinions in a snap. That’s the magic of an Outlook poll. Whether you’re in a web browser or the desktop application, inviting input is straightforward and downright nifty. You’ll see, scheduling becomes less of an art and more of a science.

Lastly, remember, when we ask for feedback, we’re not just looking for ticks on a box. We’re building bridges across cubicles. So next time you’re orchestrating a get-together, use a poll, and watch collaboration flourish.