Microsoft Teams
Getting Started with Microsoft Teams
This guide introduces Microsoft Teams, explains what chats, channels, and calls are, and shows you how to start using Teams for day-to-day work communication.
Time needed
15 minutes
Platform
Microsoft 365
Guide steps
4 clear sections
Before you begin
Microsoft Teams is installed on your computer or phone, or you can access it at teams.microsoft.com. You are signed in with your work account.
Follow along
Step-by-step guide
Navigate the Teams interface
- Instruction 1: Open Teams from the Start menu (Windows), Applications folder (Mac), or teams.microsoft.com in a browser.
- Instruction 2: The left-hand sidebar has icons for Activity (notifications), Chat (direct messages), Teams (channels), Calendar, Calls, and Files.
- Instruction 3: Activity: your notification feed showing recent @mentions, replies, and likes.
- Instruction 4: Chat: direct one-on-one or small group conversations outside of channels.
- Instruction 5: Teams: group workspaces organised into channels. Each team usually represents a department or project.
Action map
Navigate the Teams interface
- 01
Open Teams from the Start menu (Windows), Applications folder (Mac), or…
- 02
The left-hand sidebar has icons for Activity (notifications), Chat (direct messages),…
- 03
Activity: your notification feed showing recent @mentions, replies, and likes.
Visual guide
Use this visual action map alongside the written instructions above.
Open Microsoft Teams help & learning for Getting Started with Microsoft TeamsSend a chat message
- Instruction 1: Click Chat in the left sidebar.
- Instruction 2: Click the New Chat icon (pencil/compose icon) at the top.
- Instruction 3: Type a colleague's name in the To field and select them.
- Instruction 4: Type your message in the box at the bottom and press Enter to send.
- Instruction 5: You can format text, add emoji, attach files, or start a video call directly from the chat using the icons in the message toolbar.
Post in a channel
- Instruction 1: Click Teams in the left sidebar.
- Instruction 2: Click on a team name to expand it, then click a channel (e.g. General, Announcements).
- Instruction 3: Click New conversation at the bottom of the channel.
- Instruction 4: Type your message. Channels are visible to all members of the team — use them for team announcements, project updates, and shared discussions.
- Instruction 5: Press Enter or click the send button.
Make a call
- Instruction 1: To call a colleague: open a chat with them and click the Video call or Phone call icon at the top of the chat window.
- Instruction 2: To start a meeting with multiple people: click the Calendar icon in the left sidebar and click New meeting.
- Instruction 3: For instant audio or video calls with your whole team: go to a channel, click the Meet button (top-right), and team members will receive a notification to join.
Quick fixes
Troubleshooting
I cannot see certain teams or channels
Teams and channels are not visible unless you are a member. Ask the team owner to add you, or contact the helpdesk for assistance. Private channels are only visible to their members.
My microphone or camera is not working in a call
Click the three-dot menu (…) in the call window, then click Device settings. Check that the correct microphone and camera are selected. Check your computer's privacy settings — Teams needs permission to use the microphone and camera.
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