Smokeball’s new Outlook Add-in for Microsoft 365 is now available, bringing smarter, faster ways to manage email directly from your inbox. With improved filing, the ability to create Smokeball tasks from emails, and new Archie AI features to help draft tailored emails, the add-in is designed to help legal teams get more done with less effort.

Built for the new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web, the latest add-in now supports Smokeball's Grow and Prosper+ tiers in addition to Boost and is ready for Microsoft’s move away from classic Outlook.

Built for how growing law firms work

At Smokeball, our mission is to help growing law firms work more efficiently, deliver better client service, and streamline the ‘busywork’. Email is at the centre of that work, so your Outlook integration needs to be fast, reliable, and intuitive.

The new Outlook Add-in keeps every client email, attachment, and note connected to the right Smokeball matter, without adding extra admin. Whether your team works in desktop Outlook or in a browser, they get the same seamless experience.

With just a few clicks, staff can file emails and attachments to the correct matter. The add-in takes care of the rest in the background, helping maintain a complete communication record while saving time on manual filing.

What’s new in the latest Outlook Add-in

As Microsoft transitions customers away from classic Outlook, many firms told us they needed a modern Outlook integration that would not disrupt existing workflows. This release delivers exactly that, while adding new intelligence and automation along the way.

Key updates include:

• Support for new Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the Web: One add-in that works consistently across modern Microsoft 365 experiences.

• Archie AI and task creation from Outlook: Turn emails into action without leaving your inbox.

• Mobile app support (coming soon): File emails and attachments when you’re on the go with the Outlook mobile app.

• Matter suggestions as you file: When filing an email, the add-in surfaces recent matters and, where available, smart matter suggestions, so you can file to the right one without searching.

• Always-on email and attachment capture: Emails and attachments are reliably saved in the background - even when Outlook isn’t open or your device isn’t active.

• Dark mode option: Choose dark mode to reduce eye strain, especially during long periods of screen use.

Together, these enhancements help keep work organised, visible, and moving forward.

Ready for Microsoft’s new Outlook experience

The new Smokeball Outlook Add-in is built on Microsoft’s modern add-in framework, ensuring compatibility as Microsoft phases out classic Outlook.

Your team can continue saving emails, tracking activity with AutoTime, and jumping into Smokeball directly from Outlook without disrupting workflows. By aligning with Microsoft’s roadmap, the add-in helps future-proof your firm and reduces the risk of last-minute changes when classic Outlook support ends.

Turn emails into action with Archie and tasks

Much of a firm’s work starts in the inbox, including new enquiries, client updates, document reviews, and follow-ups. The new Outlook Add-in brings Smokeball’s intelligence closer to where that work begins.

With Archie AI, Smokeball’s AI matter assistant, you can:

• See what’s been discussed at a glance with email thread summaries.
• Generate tailored emails guided by matter details such as key dates, contacts, tasks, and documents, without leaving Outlook.
• Easily refine email drafts before sending by adjusting tone, length, or writing style.

You can also create Smokeball tasks directly from linked emails, ensuring that actions and follow-ups are tracked immediately and at the matter level rather than lost in individual inboxes.

Transitioning to the new Outlook Add-in

Classic Outlook remains supported while Microsoft continues to support it, so there’s no immediate need to change. However, as Microsoft shifts its focus to the new Outlook experience, no new features or enhancements will be added to classic Outlook going forward. This update is about providing clarity on where Microsoft is headed and where we’re investing, so you can make the move when the timing is right for your firm.

When you do choose to transition, you’ll gain access to the latest features, improvements, and innovations as they’re released. To use the new add-in, you'll need a paid Microsoft 365 email account, available with Business and Education plans. There’s also no need for everyone in your team to switch at once. You can have some team members stay on classic Outlook while others use new Outlook with the latest add-in.

Ready to learn more?

Learn more about how to transition to the new Outlook add-In by visiting the support hub Article.

Learn more about Archie AI.

Get in touch with the team at Smokeball.

Smokeball Outlook add-in FAQs

Why did Smokeball build a new Outlook Add-in?

Microsoft is transitioning from "classic" Outlook to a "new Outlook" experience (and Outlook on the Web). Our new add-in is built on Microsoft’s modern web-based framework to ensure your firm remains future-proof.

How is this different from the classic Outlook integration?

Unlike the classic Outlook integration, the new add-in is built specifically for Microsoft’s modern Outlook experience. It works consistently across desktop, web, and mobile Outlook and supports Microsoft’s move away from classic Outlook without disrupting how your firm works today.

Which versions of Outlook are supported?

Smokeball’s new Outlook add-in supports:

• New Outlook for Windows
• Outlook on the Web
• Outlook mobile app

Classic Outlook for Windows is not supported by this add-in, in line with Microsoft’s transition to the new Outlook.

What are the requirements to use the new add-in?

You must have a Microsoft 365 business account. The add-in is not compatible with one-time purchase versions of Office (such as Office 2019 or 2021) that do not include M365 cloud services.

Does this work with M365 accounts purchased through 3rd Party resellers (e.g., GoDaddy)?

Currently, full compatibility with Microsoft 365 accounts provisioned via third-party resellers (such as GoDaddy) is out of scope for the current release. These resellers often use custom authentication layers that may interfere with the add-in. Support for these environments is captured on our future roadmap.

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