How to create a poll in Outlook 365?

Creating a Poll in Outlook 365: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Outlook 365 offers a wide range of features that allow you to create polls and engage with your colleagues, clients, or customers. In this article, we will walk you through the process of creating a poll in Outlook 365, along with some additional tips and tricks to get the most out of this feature.

Step 1: Accessing the Poll Options

To create a poll in Outlook 365, you need to first access the poll options from the email header or from the "Create" tab in the ribbon. Here are the steps to follow:

• Step 1.1: Open your email message and click on the "More options" button (represented by an "i" icon) on the left-hand side of the email window.
• Step 1.2: Select "New item" and then "Create from the ribbon" from the drop-down menu.
• Step 1.3: Click on the "Poll" icon (represented by a red ballot) from the list of available options.
• Step 1.4: Click on "Add a poll" to open the poll options window.

Step 2: Choosing Poll Settings

When creating a poll, you need to choose the following settings:

• Poll name: Give your poll a name to identify it clearly.
• Message subject: Provide a subject for the poll to appear in the email header.
• Poll text: Add a brief description of the poll.
• Target audience: Choose the type of recipients you want to target with the poll.

Step 3: Setting Up the Poll Questions

To create a poll, you need to set up the questions that will appear to respondents. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Use multiple-choice questions: Multiple-choice questions are the most common type of poll question.
• Add images or videos: You can add images or videos to make the poll more engaging.
• Use only a few options: Limit the number of options to 5 or 10 to keep the poll concise.

Creating a Poll

Here is an example of how to create a poll:

Question	Options
What is your favorite color?	Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, or other
Which programming language do you prefer?	Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, or other
What is your favorite type of music?	Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, Classical, or other

Step 4: Publishing the Poll

Once you have set up the poll, you need to publish it to your email recipients. Here are the steps to follow:

• Step 4.1: Click on the "Publish" button (represented by a tick icon) on the "More options" button.
• Step 4.2: Select the recipients you want to publish the poll to.
• Step 4.3: Choose the email distribution method (e.g., send as a reply or forward).

Step 5: Reviewing and Moderating the Poll

To review and moderate the poll, you need to follow these steps:

• Step 5.1: Check the poll for any typos or errors.
• Step 5.2: Review the poll questions and answers to ensure they are clear and concise.
• Step 5.3: Use the "Respond" button to encourage respondents to respond.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks to get the most out of the poll feature in Outlook 365:

• Use the "Poll" button: The "Poll" button is a great way to create a poll and publish it to your email recipients quickly.
• Use the "Edit poll" option: If you need to make changes to your poll, you can edit it directly from the "Poll" options window.
• Use the "Delete poll" option: If you need to delete a poll, you can do so directly from the "Poll" options window.
• Use the "Poll" bar: The "Poll" bar is a floating bar that appears in the top-right corner of the email window. This bar allows you to create and publish polls quickly and easily.
• Use the "Email" options: You can also create polls directly from the "Email" options. This is useful if you need to create a poll that will appear in a specific email.

Conclusion

Creating a poll in Outlook 365 is a straightforward process that can help you engage with your colleagues, clients, or customers. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a poll quickly and easily. Remember to choose the right poll settings, set up the questions, and publish the poll to your email recipients. With these tips and tricks, you can get the most out of the poll feature in Outlook 365.

Glossary

• Poll: A survey that asks multiple-choice questions to gather opinions or gather information.
• Ribbon: The task panel in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook 365.
• Resend: To send a new version of a message to the same recipients.
• Reply: To reply to a message by clicking on the "Reply" button.

Tables

Setting	Description
Poll name	Give your poll a name to identify it clearly.
Target audience	Choose the type of recipients you want to target with the poll.
Poll text	Add a brief description of the poll.
Number of options	Limit the number of options to 5 or 10 to keep the poll concise.
Type of recipients	Choose the type of recipients you want to target with the poll (e.g., direct email recipients).

H2 Headings

• Step 1: Accessing the Poll Options
• Step 2: Choosing Poll Settings
• Step 3: Setting Up the Poll Questions
• Step 4: Publishing the Poll
• Step 5: Reviewing and Moderating the Poll
• Tips and Tricks
• Conclusion