---
title: "Handle calls with the Outlook plug-in"
slug: "msintegration-handle-calls-with-the-outlook-plug-in"
updated: 2026-07-23T10:07:00Z
published: 2026-07-23T10:07:00Z
canonical: "help.8x8.com/msintegration-handle-calls-with-the-outlook-plug-in"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.8x8.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Handle calls with the Outlook plug-in

By this time, you have installed and configured **8x8 Microsoft Integration** with **Outlook**. When you configured the plug-in, you associated your extension number with **Outlook** via **8x8 Work for Desktop**. Now the plug-in can use this extension to make calls. It also listens for calls coming to your extension.

> [!WARNING]
> Important:
> 
> In order for **8x8 Microsoft Integration** to function, ensure that you are using the appropriate plug-ins:
> 
> - Download version **6.1.2** of the plug-in for [calling with **Skype for Business**](https://support.8x8.com/us/Cloud_Phone_Service/Voice_Integrations/Microsoft/Download_Virtual_Office_Skype_for_Business_Integration_for_Windows_Desktop).
> - Download version 6.0 of the plug-ins for [meetings with **Outlook**](https://support.8x8.com/us/Cloud_Phone_Service/Voice_Integrations/Microsoft/Outlook_Plugin_for_Virtual_Office_Meetings_EXE) and [calling with **Outlook**](https://support.8x8.com/us/Cloud_Phone_Service/Voice_Integrations/Microsoft/Outlook_Click_to_Call_Plugin).

> [!NOTE]
> Note:
> 
> The **Outlook** plug-in does not store the user's contact information, but instead functions as a dialer and uses information available in **Outlook** and **8x8 Work for Desktop** at the time a call is made or received.

## Use the Outlook plug-in

The application allows you to dial your **Outlook** contacts whether you have their numbers listed as:

- Four-digit 8x8 extensions
- Standard phone numbers (such as 10-digit US phone numbers)
- International numbers with country codes

**Place calls**

When you make an 8x8 call in **Outlook**, the device you call from controls the caller ID of the outgoing call. You can switch between your devices from **8x8 Work for Desktop** via the **Call using ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/e3a59e39-abd3-4423-964c-0a4008dc5673/Images/Documentation/tab-call-using_18x18.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-03T21%3A52%3A53Z&se=2026-11-03T22%3A52%3A53Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kn3ZYo8Tu%2F9tQ8hiv9uuWZy3TO9sjaNvHu86uR0WsHc%3D)** menu. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/e3a59e39-abd3-4423-964c-0a4008dc5673/Images/Documentation/MSIntegration_CallUsing.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-03T21%3A52%3A53Z&se=2026-11-03T22%3A52%3A53Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kn3ZYo8Tu%2F9tQ8hiv9uuWZy3TO9sjaNvHu86uR0WsHc%3D)

If you choose to call from your computer or softphone, your outgoing calls are sent directly from **8x8 Work for Desktop**. However, if you choose to call from your desk phone or another phone number, the system completes the outgoing call using the selected device or phone number.

You can place calls from your list of contacts in **Outlook**, or by clicking a phone number in a received email.

**To call a number from your Outlook contacts:**

1. In **Outlook**, go to **People ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/e3a59e39-abd3-4423-964c-0a4008dc5673/Images/Documentation/tab-outlook-people_18x18.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-03T21%3A52%3A53Z&se=2026-11-03T22%3A52%3A53Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=kn3ZYo8Tu%2F9tQ8hiv9uuWZy3TO9sjaNvHu86uR0WsHc%3D)**.
2. From your list of contacts, right-click a contact and select **Call with 8x8** from the drop-down menu.
3. The **8x8 Dialer** window pops up, listing the phone numbers and extension associated with the contact. Select the number to call. Your **8x8 Work** softphone pops up and dials the selected number.

> [!NOTE]
> Note:
> 
> Contact information does not sync both ways; you can import **Outlook** contacts into **8x8 Work for Desktop**, but you cannot import **8x8 Work** contacts into **Outlook**.

**To use click-to-call to dial a number from an email:**

1. If there is a phone number written in the content of an email, or located in the sender's signature, the phone number is now highlighted as a clickable blue link.
2. Click the phone number to call it. Your **8x8 Work** softphone pops up and dials the selected number.

**To call any Outlook user via 8x8:**

1. Right-click a clickable user email or name to open a menu. This applies to your **Outlook** and global company contacts, and to **Outlook** users outside of your company or **Outlook** contact list. Whenever an **Outlook** user's email or name can be right-clicked to bring up the context menu, the option to **Call with 8x8** is available.
2. From the right-click menu, select **Call with 8x8**. Your **8x8 Work** softphone pops up and dials the relevant number.

**Receive calls**

When you receive a call from an **Outlook** or **8x8 Work** contact, you receive the call through **8x8 Work for Desktop**. Click **Accept** in **8x8 Work for Desktop** to answer an incoming call.