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

# Outlook & Microsoft Teams Integration

> How Alex reads availability and books interviews on Outlook / Microsoft Teams

Connecting your Microsoft account gives Alex two things: **calendar** access (used only by [Coordinator](/workflows/coordinator)) and the **option** to send candidate emails from your own address.

<Note>
  Alex sends from your personal account **only when you pick it as the sender**. Otherwise — including all automated mail — messages go from an Alex address (e.g. `alex@alex.com`) or your company's verified sending domain if one is set up, never your inbox.
</Note>

## Overview

Coordinator reads the interviewer's real-time availability and books interviews directly on their Outlook calendar. When a candidate picks a time, Alex creates the event, invites both sides, and adds a Microsoft Teams link automatically. The same Microsoft account covers both the Outlook calendar and Teams meetings.

## How It Works

* **Reads availability** — Alex checks the interviewer's free/busy schedule so candidates only ever see open slots.
* **Books the interview** — once the candidate picks a time, Alex creates a single calendar event with the candidate and interviewer as attendees.
* **Adds a meeting link** — the event includes an auto-generated Microsoft Teams link. Interviewers who prefer Zoom can connect a [Zoom account](/integrations/zoom) to override this.
* **Sends scheduling emails** — Alex sends the candidate the scheduling link and confirmations on behalf of the interviewer.
* **Keeps things in sync** — if either side reschedules, Alex updates the event it created.

<Note>When the meeting is a Microsoft Teams meeting, Alex appears in the Teams lobby as an **External** participant and must be admitted manually at the start of each call.</Note>

## Permissions Requested

Connecting a Microsoft account grants Alex only the access it needs to read availability and manage the interviews it books.

| Scope                 | What it's for                                                                       |
| --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Calendars.ReadWrite` | Read availability and create/manage the events Alex books                           |
| `Mail.Send`           | Send a candidate email from your address — only when you choose to send as yourself |
| `User.Read`           | Identify the connected account                                                      |
| `offline_access`      | Keep the connection alive without re-authenticating                                 |

## What Alex Reads and Writes

**Reads: availability only.** Alex reads **free/busy** information through Microsoft's **`getSchedule`** — only the start and end of busy blocks on the primary calendar. Alex does **not** read the title, attendees, or any other content of existing events, does not read events it didn't create, and does not access tasks or reminders.

<Note>
  `Calendars.ReadWrite` is used only to create and manage the interviews Alex books — not to read or change any other events on the calendar.
</Note>

**Writes: only the interviews Alex books.** When a candidate picks a time, Alex creates one event — title, description, start/end time, the candidate and interviewer as attendees, and a Microsoft Teams link. It only updates or cancels events **it created** (identified by the ID returned at creation) and never touches events it did not create.

## Installation

Each interviewer connects their own Microsoft account individually:

1. **Navigate to Settings** — in the Alex app, go to **Settings** > **Profile** > **Connected Accounts**
2. **Connect Outlook** — click **Connect** next to **Outlook (Microsoft)** and sign in with your Microsoft account, approving the calendar and email permissions

This is a per-user OAuth setup — each interviewer connects their own account. Once connected, the row shows a green check, your email address, and an **Email + Calendar** label, and the calendar is ready for handoffs.

## Uninstallation & Revoking Access

### Disconnect From Alex

To disconnect your Microsoft account from Alex:

* In the Alex app, go to **Settings** > **Profile** > **Connected Accounts**
* Click **Disconnect** next to **Outlook (Microsoft)**

<Note>You can't disconnect while you're the assigned interviewer on a job with active handoffs — reassign those rounds first.</Note>

When you disconnect, Alex revokes its access with Microsoft. This means:

* Your personal OAuth connection between Alex and Microsoft is removed. Other users in your company are not affected.
* Alex will no longer read your availability or book interviews on your calendar.
* All stored Microsoft credentials (tokens, account info) for your account are deleted from Alex's systems.
* Events Alex already created remain on your calendar unless you remove them.

### Revoke Access From Microsoft

You can also remove Alex directly from your Microsoft account:

* **Personal accounts** — go to [Microsoft account app access](https://account.live.com/consent/Manage), find **Alex**, and click **Remove these permissions**.
* **Work or school accounts** — go to the [My Apps portal](https://myapplications.microsoft.com) (or ask your Microsoft administrator) and remove **Alex**.

After removing, we recommend also clicking **Disconnect** in Alex's settings to ensure credentials are fully cleared on both sides.

## Data Handling & Privacy

* **Least privilege** — Alex requests only the scopes above and reads free/busy only, never the contents of your existing events.
* **Access Control** — only authorized users within your organization can access Coordinator data.
* **Compliance** — Alex is SOC 2 Type II certified and compliant with GDPR requirements.

For more details, see our [Privacy Policy](https://www.alex.com/privacy-policy) and [Terms of Service](https://www.alex.com/terms-of-service).

## Troubleshooting

| Issue                           | Solution                                                                                                                                           |
| ------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Candidates see no open slots    | Confirm your calendar shows free time and that your [recruiter availability](/workflows/coordinator#recruiter-availability) window is wide enough. |
| Handoff invitations not sending | Make sure your Microsoft account is connected under **Connected Accounts** and shows the **Email + Calendar** label.                               |
| Alex stuck in the Teams lobby   | Alex joins Teams meetings as an **External** participant and must be admitted manually at the start of each call.                                  |

## Support

If you experience issues with Alex's Outlook / Microsoft Teams integration, visit our [Support page](/support) or contact us at [support@alex.com](mailto:support@alex.com).