Polls - Outlook and Microsoft Teams

Overview

Polls can be created for responses for RSVPs, when to have a meeting or to gather opinions. Microsoft uses forms for creating Polls in the Outlook desktop App in Outlook online (OWA) or within Teams.

Procedures

Outlook - Windows

In the Outlook app you can create a quick real time Poll within an email message. The Poll can have single (ex: an RSVP) or multiple answers. After the email is sent the recipients vote directly in the email or by using the link included in a browser window.

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that Recipients can review the results, but not see individual names on who voted.

Add Polls Button

1. With the Outlook desktop app opened, click Get Add-in – Add ins from the top Ribbon.
2. Type Polls in the search bar in the upper right corner.
3. Click Add to add the Polls button to the new message ribbon.

[Polls by Microsoft Form Add button highlighted and the Polls button highlighted on the Outlook ribbon]

Creating a Poll question - Add to an Email

1. With the Outlook desktop app opened, click New Email.
2. Click Polls  at the end of the message ribbon at the top.

The Polls Question box appears on the right side of you message.

3. Type your question and add options below.  NOTE: Move the Multiple answers slider to the right if you want the recipient to choose multiple answers to the question.

[Multiple answers option highlighted]

4. Click Next and the Poll question appears.

5. Click Add to email to add this question to the email.

You will see a Poll link in the email and a message on the right that the Poll card added.

[Poll link in email highlighted]

6. Click Send and a copy of the email is sent to you with the Poll question. NOTE: You will be able to Vote using this email.

7. Make a choice and then click Vote.

View Results

Remember everyone can see the results as far has how many votes were cast not who cast them.

1. Once the Poll question is sent, click the View Results button in the question window to see the results.

NOTE: Another way to see results is, once you vote, the question window change to a results window in the email. You can periodically click the Refresh button to see updated results. Click Back to go back to the Polling question.

[Quick Poll results box with Refresh button highlighted]

Polls by Microsoft Forms (add-in) – OWA

The Polls Add-in in Outlook can quickly assist in creating polls.

1. Open Outlook (OWA) and start a new message.
2. Add attendees under To
3. Click in the body of the email and then click the Insert tab from the ribbon at the top.
4. Click the Get add-ins button.
5. In the search bar in the upper right corner, type Polls and choose Polls by Microsoft Forms.

[Polls by Microsoft Forms selected]

6. Click Add.

Once the Polls add-in is installed this selection will appear on the Insert tab in the future for you to choose under the three dots … more options.

7. Choose Polls from the more options.

[Three dots, more options and Polls highlighted]

8. Type your question and add options below.  NOTE: Move the Multiple answers slider to the right if you want the recipient to choose multiple answers to the question.

[Under Polls Multiple answers highlighted]

9. Click Next and the Poll question appears.

10. Click Add to email to add this question to the email.

You will see a Poll link in the email and a message on the right that the Poll card added.

[Poll link in the email highlighted]

11. Click Send and a copy of the email is sent to you with the Poll question. NOTE: You will be able to Vote using this email.

[Poll question with Vote highlighted]

12. Make a choice and then click Vote.

Microsoft Teams

In Teams chat you can quickly gather feedback by creating a real time poll in seconds.

Add a Poll in Chat

1. Click Chat from the left navigation bar.
2. From the message bar below, click the more options, three dots … and then type Polls.
   NOTE: Choose Forms to create other type questions.

[Polls and three dots more options highlighted in poll chat window]

2. Click once on Polls.

The new Polls screen opens to start adding a question. You may want to check, Record names of respondents (only visible to creator) and/or Share aggregated results with respondents. Click Preview to view the question.

[Record names of respondents (only visible to creator) and Shared aggregated results with respondents along with preview button highlighted. Also arrow pointing on right poll question box]

3. Click Send to post the question in the chat window for everyone to submit their vote.

[Submit Vote button highlighted under the poll question]

As the group submits their vote, you’ll see real time results in your group conversation.

Add a Poll in Teams

1. Click Teams from the left navigation bar.
2. Click once on a Team name.
3. From the top of the General window click the plus +
4. Type Forms in the search bar at the top or click Forms from the list below. 
5. Name your shared form.
6. Click Save. 
7. Click + Add new
8. Go to this Article for the rest of the steps - Create a Form and Adding a Style

References/Links   

How to use Microsoft Quick Poll in Outlook on the Web plus update on poll auto-rollout

Last Reviewed:   24-Mar-2023