Outlook and Excel for Mac Beta gain new features, including IMAP support for Outlook

Outlook now supports IMAP for Mac Beta users.

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What you need to know

Microsoft recently rolled out updates for Outlook and Excel for people on the Mac Beta Channel. The updates bring new features to test out, including IMAP support for Outlook. Therelease notescame out this week, but the features rolled out gradually to Mac Beta Channel users between November 19 and December 18, 2020.

Here’s everything that’s new in Excel:

The ability to choose icons for buttons assigned as macros is a nice touch that should make Excel look a bit cleaner. Outlook, however, has a more meaningful update. Here’s everything that’s new:

IMAP support makes Outlook a much more versatile client. IMAP is a popular email protocol, and Outlook’s lack of IMAP support makes the app impossible to switch to for some people. Hopefully, we’ll see IMAP support roll out to general availability soon.

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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.