Microsoft Teams Quick Start Guide

This article provides a quick overview of common Microsoft Teams features, including signing in, using teams and channels, starting chats, replying to messages, joining meetings, sharing files, and using apps.
Before you begin: Microsoft Teams features and layout may vary depending on your device, app version, account permissions, and whether you are using Teams on the web, desktop, or mobile app.

Sign In to Microsoft Teams ▾

You can access Microsoft Teams from a web browser, the desktop app, or the mobile app.

  • Web browser: Go to https://teams.microsoft.com or sign in to https://portal.office.com and select the Teams app.
  • Windows: Open the Windows search bar or Start menu, search for Microsoft Teams, and open the app.
  • Mac: Open the Applications folder and select Microsoft Teams.
  • Mobile: Open the Teams app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
Note: Sign in using your FAU email address and FAU password. Depending on your account or device, you may be prompted to complete additional verification.

Teams and Channels ▾

Pick a team and channel

A team is a collection of people, conversations, files, and tools in one place. A channel is a space within a team dedicated to a department, project, topic, or group.

  1. Select Teams or select the area where your teams and channels are listed.
  2. Select a team.
  3. Select a channel to view its posts, conversations, files, and other tabs.

Reply to a channel conversation

Channel conversations are organized by thread. Find the conversation you want to respond to, select Reply, type your message, and select Send.

@mention someone

To get someone's attention, type @ followed by their name, then select the person from the list that appears.

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

Chat and Messages ▾

Start a chat

  • Chat with a person or group: Select Chat, then select New chat. Type the name of the person or group, enter your message, and select Send.
  • Message a team or channel: Select the team and channel, type your message in the message box, and select Send.

Reply to a message

In a channel, use Reply under the existing conversation to keep the discussion organized in the same thread.

Use reactions and formatting

You can react to messages, format text, add links, attach files, and use emojis or other message options depending on the Teams app version you are using.

Activity and Notifications ▾

Activity feed

Select Activity to view notifications and recent updates from chats, channels, mentions, replies, meetings, and other Teams activity.

Notifications

Teams notifications can appear in the app, on your desktop, or in your activity feed depending on your notification settings.

  1. Select your profile picture or initials.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select Notifications to review or adjust notification preferences.

Meetings and Calls ▾

Start or schedule a meeting

  • Schedule a meeting: Select Calendar, then select New meeting or choose a time on the calendar. Add meeting details and attendees, then save or send the invite.
  • Start an instant meeting: Select Meet now where available, enter a meeting name if prompted, and invite participants.
  • Channel meeting: In some channels, you may be able to start or schedule a meeting connected to the channel conversation.

Make video and audio calls

From a chat, select Video call or Audio call to call another Teams user.

Note: Calling features may vary depending on account permissions and whether calling is enabled for your account.

Files and Tabs ▾

Share a file

Select Attach or the file attachment option where you type a message. Choose the file location, select the file, and send or share it.

Work with files

Files shared in a channel are stored with the team in SharePoint. Files shared in a private chat are stored in OneDrive and shared with the people in that chat.

  • Select the Files or Shared tab in a channel or chat to view shared files.
  • Select More options next to a file to view available actions.
  • Depending on permissions, you may be able to open, edit, copy a link, download, or share files.

Add a tab in a channel

Select the + button near the tabs at the top of a channel or chat, choose the app or file you want to add, and follow the prompts.

Search and Apps ▾

Search for things

Use the search box at the top of Teams to search for messages, people, files, chats, and other Teams content. Use filters, if available, to narrow your results.

Find your personal apps

Select Apps or the More apps option to view apps available in Teams. Depending on your permissions, you may be able to open, pin, add, or remove apps.

Add apps

Select Apps, search for the app you want to use, choose the appropriate settings, and select Add if the app is available to your account.

Note: Some apps may not be available because of FAU settings, Microsoft licensing, or account permissions.

Troubleshooting ▾

  • If Teams looks different from the steps in this guide, you may be using a different Teams layout, app version, or device.
  • If you cannot find a feature, try using the search bar in Teams or check the left navigation menu for options such as Chat, Teams, Calendar, Activity, Calls, Files, or Apps.
  • If a team, channel, file, app, or meeting option is missing, confirm that you have the correct access or permissions.
  • If Teams is not working correctly, restart the Teams app, check for updates, or try using Teams on the web at https://teams.microsoft.com.
  • If sign-in fails, confirm that you are using your full FAU email address and current FAU password.

Still Need Help?

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

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