# Connect your Outlook

> Click Outlook at the top of your dashboard to open the panel. To connect your mailbox, go to Settings → Connectors → Outlook and click Connect Outlook. If it isn't connected, sign in with your work Microsoft account, or send your IT admin the approval link.

Source: https://help.smartloads.io/connect-your-outlook · Updated 2026-11-02

The Outlook panel puts your inbox next to your load board, so customer emails and paperwork are one click from the load they belong to.

## What the panel does

- It shows the emails to look at, with a count on the **Outlook** button.
- It stays beside the board, so you can read an email without leaving the load you are working.
- It only works once your mailbox is connected.

## Open it

Click **Outlook** at the top of your dashboard. The panel opens beside the board. Click **Outlook** again to close it.

## Where the settings are

In SmartLoads, under **Settings**, click **Connectors**, then open the **Outlook** card. That is where you connect, reconnect or check your mailbox.

## If it isn't connected

1. Open **Settings → Connectors → Outlook**.
2. Click **Connect Outlook** and sign in with your work Microsoft account.
3. If Microsoft says **Need admin approval**, click **Copy message** or **Email your IT admin** on the card. Your admin approves SmartLoads once for the whole company. Then click **Connect Outlook** again.

Adding the panel inside Outlook itself is a separate step. See [Install the SmartLoads panel in Outlook](https://help.smartloads.io/install-the-outlook-panel).