Organization Explorer in Outlook Coming to All Microsoft 365 Commercial Customers

Microsoft has announced that the Organization Explorer feature in Outlook will soon be available to all Microsoft 365 commercial customers. Starting in January, users will no longer need a Viva Premium license to use the Org Explorer app.

What is Organization Explorer?

Microsoft first introduced the Organization Explorer app in Outlook back in July 2021. This tool is designed to help organizations explore their company’s internal structure. It allows users to see managers, roles, and team hierarchies, and provides detailed profiles for each employee. Users can search for individuals, view their contact information, and understand their position within the organization.

Currently, a Microsoft Viva Connections license is needed to access the Organization Explorer in Outlook. However, starting in January 2025, this feature will be available without requiring a Viva Suite license.

How to access Organization Explorer in Outlook?

To access the app, users will need to select the Org Explorer option from the navigation bar in Outlook. They will then click on a person’s card or photo to view detailed information.

Microsoft will start rolling out this update in mid-January 2025 for the new Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, and the Outlook web app. The feature will become generally available for classic Outlook by early April 2025. To gain early access, Microsoft recommends switching to the new Outlook for Windows or the Outlook web app.

In related news, Microsoft has announced plans to migrate Microsoft 365 for Enterprise customers from classic Outlook to the new Outlook experience by April 2026. However, the company will continue to support existing installations of classic Outlook through perpetual and subscription licensing until at least 2029.