What is Microsoft Lists?

This article will explore Lists, Microsoft’s versatile to-do application. 

What is Microsoft Lists?

Microsoft Lists is a front end platform that helps users manage data, ideas, and tasks. In addition to being a powerful personal organizational tool, Lists helps team members more easily collaborate with each other, as well as with external stakeholders like clients. This app provides a variety of features that help users not only create but manage and share lists. In addition, Lists can manage all different sorts of items or documents, such as agendas, inventory, FAQs, and status reports. Its click-to-edit template allows users to take notes, monitor task status, and make their own intelligent lists. All lists created in this app are controlled from Lists Home, a centralized location from which users can access one or more of their lists. 

Lists has its origin over two decades ago. In 2001, SharePoint Lists was launched. By 2016, this app evolved into Modern List. Four years later, in 2020, Microsoft announced Microsoft Lists, an app for Microsoft 365. Lists was not created to replace SharePoint; instead, it was designed to further extend its capabilities. In fact, the list data in this app is still stored in SharePoint Online. This front end interface was designed to be elegant, yet easy for users to learn. In the time since its creation, Lists has become a go-to for millions around the globe to help them stay organized and on top of tasks.

Microsoft Lists provides a collection of helpful templates to create lists pertaining to:

• Event itineraries
• Social media calendars
• Project management
• Asset or issue tracking
• Team evaluations
• Business trip approvals
• New hire checklists

How is Lists Used for Idea Management?

In addition to providing users with the essential features of a standard to-do app, Lists also comes with an array of specialized features that are designed to simplify the process of managing ideas and data:

• Those using Lists can add attachments to any list, as well as track activities.
• Lists provides users with a “Manage Rules” feature, which automates lists depending on the user’s preferences. In addition, automated reminders and notifications can be sent out as well.
• When collaborating with others, lists can be shared, and new list rules can be specified that suit all users’ needs.
• Similar to Excel, a list is made up of rows for data and columns for metadata. Lists can contain content of all sorts, such as dates, links, images, people, and file attachments, among others. Columns can be added pertaining to various sorts of data, like numbers, text, dates, or currency, which helps users categorize and group information they wish to track. 
• Alerts provide Lists users with updates and reminders about tasks.
• In addition to integrating with Excel, Lists also works seamlessly with Microsoft Teams. This provides a convenient way for users to make and share lists directly from Teams without having to leave a meeting. When working in Teams, users can also manipulate a list’s appearance so that it can be viewed as a calendar, grid, or card. In addition, users can apply custom filters as well. 
• Lists also works with Microsoft Power BI, Power Automate, as well as other Power apps. These integrations ensure that List users can reap the benefits of the Microsoft 365 family.
• When a List user hovers over someone’s name on a list, different options for communication are offered, such as video conference, email, chat, and even their LinkedIn profile. This option is only possible for those who have a Microsoft 365 account.

Why Use Microsoft Lists?

Organizations around the world, such as Dell Technologies, Cox Automotive, and NASCAR, all rely on Microsoft Lists for managing information. There are many benefits to using Microsoft Lists:

• Similar to SharePoint, Lists users can create lists from Excel spreadsheets. In addition to creating new lists, it’s also possible to create lists from previously existing ones. Lists can also be exported as Excel spreadsheets. 
• This app is available in both web and mobile formats. 
• Lists can be easily customized so that it fits the user’s work environment and professional needs. For example, team members can be granted access to a list, and then edit it or comment on it. Formatting options are also available to place emphasis on a specific task. In addition, different views are provided so that data can be easily accessed and understood by all team members. Viewing options include a calendar view that includes dates and times, a grid view, a timeline view, and a view that has the look and feel of a spreadsheet. 
• It’s possible to display images in a variety of ways when using Microsoft Lists. Because most humans retain information more easily when it’s presented in a visual format, Lists provides users with options for adding photos or other images to contact lists. This is particularly useful in industries such as hospitality or catering.
• If a List user enters an address into this app, the Map View is automatically provided. This is especially helpful for those who are en route to a destination and need assistance with navigation.
• In addition to its other uses, Microsoft Lists is also a helpful tool for project management. Because it is more customizable than Planner, it provides users with more control over layouts, viewing options, and task fields. 

Although many project management tools are currently available, such as Asana and monday.com, Microsoft Lists provides users with a reliable, easy-to-use tool for managing ideas, projects, data, or tasks.

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