Microsoft Teams FAQ

This article provides answers to frequently asked questions about Microsoft Teams.
Before you begin: Microsoft Teams features and availability may vary depending on your device, app version, account permissions, and FAU configuration.

General Questions ▾

What is Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that combines chat, meetings, calling, file sharing, channels, and apps in one place.

How do I get Microsoft Teams?

You can access Microsoft Teams from a supported web browser, install the desktop app on Windows or macOS, or install the mobile app on iPhone, iPad, or Android.

Where can I learn how to use Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft provides Teams help and training resources at https://support.microsoft.com/teams.

Teams, Channels, and Chats ▾

What is a team?

A team is a collection of people, conversations, files, and tools organized around a department, project, class, group, or shared purpose.

What is a channel?

A channel is a section within a team used to organize conversations, meetings, files, and tabs around a specific topic, project, department, or activity.

What is the difference between team channels and private chats?

Team channels are shared spaces where members of a team can view and participate in conversations. Private chats are only visible to the people included in that chat.

What is the difference between public and private teams?

A public team can be joined by users in the organization if public teams are allowed. A private team requires a team owner to add or approve members.

Note: Team visibility and creation options may depend on FAU settings and your account permissions.

Access, Guests, and Membership ▾

Can people outside of FAU be added to a team?

Guest access depends on FAU settings and whether guest access is enabled for Microsoft Teams. If guest access is available, a team owner may be able to add an external user as a guest by entering the guest's email address.

If you do not see the option to add a guest, or if you receive an error when trying to add an external user, contact the Help Desk or your IT support team for assistance.

Can team members or guests leave a team on their own?

Yes. Team members and guests can leave a team from the Teams web or desktop app if the option is available to them.

Can I rename a team?

A team owner can usually change the display name of a team. However, some connected resources, such as the SharePoint site URL, group email address, or other backend resources, may not automatically change when the display name is updated.

Communication and Notifications ▾

How do I make sure people see my message?

The best way to get someone's attention is to @mention them. Type @ before the person's name, then select the person from the list that appears.

  • Use @name to notify a specific person.
  • Use @team to notify a team, if allowed.
  • Use @channel to notify people following or viewing a channel, if allowed.
Note: Some mention options may be limited by team settings or permissions.

What are tabs in Microsoft Teams?

Tabs are shortcuts at the top of a channel or chat that provide quick access to files, apps, websites, or other resources. Tabs help team members access important content without leaving Teams.

Files, Team Sites, and Security ▾

Where are Teams files stored?

Files shared in a standard Teams channel are stored in the team's connected SharePoint site. Files shared in a private chat are stored in the sender's OneDrive and shared with the people in that chat.

Are my files and conversations in Microsoft Teams secure?

Microsoft Teams is part of Microsoft 365 and uses Microsoft 365 security and compliance controls. Access to Teams content depends on team membership, sharing settings, Microsoft 365 permissions, and FAU account access.

What is the difference between Microsoft Teams and SharePoint team sites?

SharePoint team sites are used to store and collaborate on files and site content. Microsoft Teams provides a collaboration workspace for chat, meetings, channels, apps, and files. Teams and SharePoint work together because files shared in Teams channels are stored in SharePoint.

Browsers and Other Apps ▾

Which browsers are supported for Teams on the web?

Microsoft Teams on the web is available in supported versions of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.

Note: For the best experience, keep your browser updated. Some Teams features may work differently depending on the browser.

Do I still need Skype for Business?

Microsoft retired Skype for Business Online. Microsoft Teams is the primary Microsoft 365 app for chat, meetings, calling, and collaboration.

Note: If your department still uses a separate communication tool or has a special requirement, follow your department's guidance.

Troubleshooting ▾

  • If Teams looks different from the information in this FAQ, you may be using a different Teams version, layout, device, or browser.
  • If you cannot access a team, channel, file, meeting, or app, confirm that you have the correct permissions.
  • If Teams on the web is not working correctly, try updating your browser or using the Teams desktop app.
  • If the Teams desktop or mobile app is not working correctly, restart the app and check for updates.
  • If you cannot sign in, confirm that you are using your full FAU email address and current FAU password.

Still Need Help?

If you need help with Microsoft Teams after reviewing this FAQ, please contact the Help Desk at 561-297-3999 for assistance.

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