Microsoft 365 - Getting Started with Viva Insights/Cortana Briefing email

Important: Microsoft is transitioning this service to Viva Insights.

The Briefing email helps you stay in control of your calendar and be intentional about your day. Within the first two hours of your workday (as set up in Outlook), you’ll get an email about any relevant items to help you better prepare for the day ahead. The customized email is only available to an end user; no administrator or manager can see another individual’s Briefing email. All data is stored inside the user’s mailbox.

Important: This feature is currently available to all users within UW-Madison Office 365 environment, but is disabled by default.

Microsoft Cortana Briefing email and Office 365

  • Can I opt-in to receive these emails?

    Yes. Users can choose to opt-in at any time at by going to cortana.office.com to manage this setting.

  • Can I create a rule to manage these emails?

    No. Microsoft is placing this message into your account via non-mail delivery processes. The message does not contain any message headers so there no process in place to create a rule against this type of message.

  • What will the Briefing email look like?

    Depending on the email client you are using, you may see different versions of this emails - adaptive or html version.

  • What will the Briefing email contain?

    Depending on if you open the Adaptive or HTML version, the Briefing email includes the following sections:

    • Prepare for today's meetings
    • Tasks you need to follow up on
    • Make the most of your focus time (Adaptive version only)

  • How often does the email come?

    One time per workday, if enabled, (as set in Outlook) when you have actions needed to prepare for a meeting or in response to an email. The email is not sent when you have no actionable items.

See Microsoft Briefing email overview and Briefing FAQ for complete details on this feature.

See Also