Microsoft Whiteboard for Windows

Collaboration tools for Microsoft users

Microsoft Whiteboard is a collaboration tool that allows Microsoft users to quickly share ideas with other people. The app allows you and your team to draw or write as if you are using ink. Although designed to work best with a stylus, it's perfectly usable for people with desktop devices.  That said, it has good inter-app synergy with other programs in the Microsoft Office suite, so if you're already using Microsoft tools for your team's productivity, then Whiteboard will be a great new addition.

Visualize your ideas anywhere

Microsoft Whiteboard is a freeform canvas where users can type or draw their ideas. The app also allows you and your teammate to add sticky notes and images to the canvas to further expand whatever concept you type or draw. More, you can stack things up on the boards and move them around for neat organization.

The app has a touch-first, pen-first interface, freeing you from using the keyboard. This means you can easily draw whatever you want, even irregular shapes. On top of that, it has an intelligent-inking technology that transforms your doodles into great-looking shapes, tables, and lines. You can even copy, paste, and combine them to make great art. 

Collaborate with your team

Aside from providing a space for your creative ideas, Whiteboard also brings your entire team together, no matter where they are. It comes with real-time collaboration features, allowing anyone with access to the canvas to see everything added to it. All users with access to the canvas can ink in the same area where you put your ideas or start a new one on another part. 

To further enhance teamwork, anyone can leave comments and suggestions directly on the canvas. Microsoft Whiteboard is also perfect for writing out process flows and brainstorm presentations. Everything that your team does on the board is automatically saved to the Microsoft cloud, so you can pick up where you left off anytime. 

There is no limit on the number of people who can collaborate on a canvas. However, the app can only be used by teams who all have Microsoft accounts. More so, while it is similar to Microsoft OneNote, some features are only available to the app. It is also more lightweight than OneNote, which takes up too much storage. However, it is quite laggy, and zooming the canvas to see short texts is a bit hard. 

A helpful tool for your creative team

All in all, Microsoft Whiteboard is a great tool to have to increase productivity in your team. The app provides a seemingly infinite canvas for you to put down any ideas you have for your business or organization. On top of that, its real-time collaboration allows for convenient communication between your team. That way, you and your teammates can juggle ideas back and forth without needing to be in the same room. There are a few caveats—its exclusivity and some usability issues—but it can be overlooked. All in all, it is a recommended app if you are looking for a reliable collaboration app.