Introduction to SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Loop, Planner and OneNote
The modern workplace runs on more than just email and spreadsheets.
At the heart of Microsoft 365 is a powerful, integrated toolkit designed to support collaboration, communication, and productivity — no matter where your team is working from.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the core tools of the Microsoft 365 modern toolkit — SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, Loop, Planner, and OneNote — and help you understand what each one is for, when to use them, and how they work together.
Haven’t read our introduction to modern work yet? Start here with our foundational post: What is Modern Work?
SharePoint: Your Digital Filing Cabinet (and So Much More)
What it is
SharePoint is a content management and collaboration platform. It powers intranets, document libraries, team sites, and knowledge centres — making it the backbone of most modern workplaces.
What it’s for
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- Storing and managing shared files and content.
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- Creating structured sites for departments, projects, or resources.
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- Controlling access with permissions and governance.
When to use it
Use SharePoint when you need a centralised location for shared content that’s secure, structured, and searchable.
Learn how to confidently use SharePoint for your everyday work — from uploading and sharing files to collaborating with your team. My SharePoint for End Users course walks you through everything step-by-step, no tech jargon required.
Enrol in the Course →OneDrive: Your Personal File Vault in the Cloud
What it is
OneDrive is your personal cloud storage in Microsoft 365. Every user gets their own space to store files privately — until they choose to share them.
What it’s for
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- Storing drafts and working files.
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- Backing up personal work documents.
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- Syncing files across devices.
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- Collaborating on individual files before moving them to SharePoint.
When to use it
Use OneDrive for your files — things you’re working on, taking notes for, or not ready to share with others yet.
Teams: Your Digital Workspace for Communication & Collaboration
What it is
Microsoft Teams is your all-in-one communication hub. It brings together chat, meetings, file sharing, task tracking, and more — all integrated with the rest of Microsoft 365.
What it’s for
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- Instant messaging and chat with individuals or groups.
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- Video and audio meetings.
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- File collaboration directly within channels.
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- Creating focused spaces (Teams and Channels) for departments or projects.
When to use it
Use Teams when you’re working with others in real time — whether that’s messaging, co-authoring a document, or jumping into a quick video call.
Loop: The Future of Flexible Collaboration
What it is
Loop introduces a new way to collaborate with live, interactive components — like checklists, paragraphs, and tables — that can be shared across multiple Microsoft 365 apps and stay in sync.
What it’s for
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- Creating dynamic, portable content blocks (called Loop components).
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- Brainstorming and planning together in real time.
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- Sharing collaborative content in Teams chat, Outlook, and more.
When to use it
Use Loop when you want flexible, live collaboration that isn’t tied to one app or document. It’s perfect for brainstorming, meeting notes, and evolving ideas.
Planner: Simple Task Management for Teams
What it is
Planner is a visual task management tool that helps teams organise and assign work. It uses boards, buckets, and cards — similar to tools like Trello or Asana.
What it’s for
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- Tracking team tasks and assigning responsibilities.
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- Creating boards with grouped tasks (called buckets).
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- Monitoring progress visually with charts and labels.
When to use it
Use Planner when you’re managing shared tasks or projects with a team and want a simple, visual way to stay organised.
OneNote: Your Digital Notebook
What it is
OneNote is a digital note-taking app that lets you create, organise, and share notebooks. It mimics the feel of a physical notebook, but with powerful digital features.
What it’s for
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- Meeting notes and brainstorming.
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- Project research and ideas.
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- Collaborative note-taking.
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- Keeping track of to-dos and reference material.
When to use it
Use OneNote when you need a flexible, organised space for notes, planning, and documentation — either solo or with your team.
Each of these tools has a clear role, but their real power comes from how they connect
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- Store a shared document in SharePoint, then collaborate on it via Teams.
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- Create personal notes in OneNote, then add a checklist from Planner to track next steps.
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- Start a conversation in Teams, embed a Loop component, and see it update live across apps.
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- Save your draft report in OneDrive, then move it to SharePoint for team access when ready.
With the Microsoft 365 toolkit, your work isn’t stuck in silos — it’s connected, accessible, and flexible.
Master SharePoint — One Step at a Time
Whether you’re new to Microsoft 365 or want to finally understand how SharePoint fits into your daily work, The SharePoint for End Users Course gives you everything you need to work smarter — not harder.
Start Learning Today →
