> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sensbot.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Outlook Add-in – Usage > How to use the Sensbot AI side panel inside Microsoft Outlook to generate and refine email replies # Outlook Add-in – Usage The usage experience is the same for both the classic desktop add-in and [Outlook on the web](/customization/email-assistant/outlook-addin/web-usage). Once you select an email, the Sensbot AI side panel shows identical content regardless of which Outlook client you use. *** ## Opening the add-in Click **Sensbot AI** in the Outlook ribbon (**Home** tab or **Sensbot** tab). A **Sensbot AI** task pane opens on the right side of the Outlook window. Sensbot AI buttons in the Outlook ribbon (Home tab and Sensbot tab) with the Sensbot AI side pane open *** ## Selecting an email When no email is selected, the panel shows a placeholder: > **No email selected**\ > Select an email to generate a response. Click any email in your inbox or folder list to activate the panel for that message. The panel immediately starts loading. **In Mail view (inbox or folder list):** Select an email in the list. The panel loads that email automatically. Changing your selection updates the panel to the newly selected email. **In an open email window:** Open an email in its own window and click **Sensbot AI** in the ribbon. The panel shows that specific email. *** ## Generating a response If the email has not been processed yet, the panel shows: > *This email has not been processed yet. Generate a response to see analysis and a reply draft.* Below that you will find an optional **instructions field** and a **Generate** button. Generate response screen with optional instructions field **Optional instructions** — Type a short hint before generating to guide the response, for example: * *Keep it short* * *Translate to English* * *Be more formal* Leave the field blank to let Sensbot decide on its own. Click **Generate** (or press Enter inside the instructions field). The panel switches to a progress animation: Generating response progress animation Sensbot reads the email, looks up relevant orders, products, or knowledge base entries from your store, and writes a draft reply in your brand voice. *** ## Response ready – two-tab view Once processing is complete, the panel shows two tabs: **Response** and **Analysis**. ### Response tab The **Response** tab shows the AI-generated draft reply. Response tab with generated draft reply | Element | What it does | | ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Use this response** | Inserts the draft directly into Outlook's reply composer | | **Copy** | Copies the plain-text version of the draft to the clipboard | | Version arrows (1 / 2 …) | Navigate between multiple versions if you have refined the response more than once | The draft is displayed as formatted HTML (bold text, paragraphs, signature) matching a typical reply email. #### Refining the response Below the draft is a **refine box**. Type an instruction and choose one of: * **Refine response** — Keeps the same reasoning but adjusts tone, length, or language. The new version is added alongside the previous one and you can navigate between them using the version arrows. * **New response** — Generates a completely fresh draft, ignoring the previous one. ### Analysis tab The **Analysis** tab gives you insight into what Sensbot understood about the email. Analysis tab with email insights **Summary badges** — Coloured pills at the top summarise the email at a glance: | Badge | Examples | | ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | | **Intent** | Order inquiry, Return request, Complaint, General question | | **Urgency** | High (red), Medium (yellow), Low (green) | | **Sentiment** | Positive (green), Neutral (grey), Negative (red) | | **Category** | Label matching your configured email categories | **Order / Product card** — When the email references an order or product, a card appears with key details (order number, status, items, total, dates). Click the card to expand or collapse the full details. **Decision card** — For emails that require a policy-based decision (e.g. a refund or return), a Decision card shows the recommended action, its risk level (Low / Medium / High), the reasoning behind it, and the store rules that guided the decision. **Actions taken** — If Sensbot performed automated actions (e.g. tagged the email, created a task, updated an order), these appear as blue pills at the bottom of the tab. *** ## No response required If the AI determines the email does not need a reply (e.g. a newsletter or auto-confirmation), the panel shows: > **No Response Required**\ > This email does not require a reply. No response was generated. You can still use the refine box to override this and request a draft manually. *** ## Using the draft in Outlook Click **Use this response** in the Response tab. Sensbot inserts the formatted HTML draft directly into Outlook's reply window — ready to review, edit, and send. Draft inserted into Outlook reply composer Alternatively, click **Copy** to copy the plain text and paste it anywhere you need.