Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a collaboration app designed to make working with others in different locations easier. Teams allows you to communicate via chat and audio or video calls, create collaborative spaces for teams of colleagues, and share files.
Access Teams
On the Web: Access Microsoft Teams by visiting Microsoft Team’s website and log in with your Widener credentials.
On a Desktop: Download the Teams desktop app to your computer.
On a Mobile Device: Download the Teams app to your mobile device to access your messages on the go.
Using Teams
Key Features
- Send instant messages with colleagues either individually or in groups
- Extensive audio call and web conferencing capabilities
- Create designated collaborative spaces for teams of colleagues to share files and manage chat channels
Frequently Asked Questions
Click each question to expand.
Can I add someone to an existing group chat?
Yes, it’s possible to add someone to an existing group chat. When doing so, you can select if the new user can see the entire chat history or not. To add someone:
- Open the specific chat you want to add them to
- Click the People icon in the top right corner, then click Add People
- Type in the person’s name and select whether they should have access to the chat history or not
- Click Add
When should I create a team versus just a group chat?
Creating a team allows for a designated space for colleagues to collaborate on a project or purpose. It allows for more a focused chat, easier organization of shared files, and all team members can have access to meeting chat and recordings regardless of attendance. Learn more about the benefits of creating a team.
Where are files shared in Teams stored?
- In a Chat: Files shared with you via a chat are stored in an automatically generated folder in your OneDrive named “Microsoft Teams Chat Files”.
- In a Team: When a team is created in Teams, a Sharepoint site is created on the back end. Any files shared within a team is stored in the Sharepoint space, making it easy to access and organize.
Can I leave a team?
Yes, you are able to leave a team if you are no longer a member of that group. If you are a member of the team, from your list of teams, click the 3 dots to the right of the team name and click Leave team. If you are the owner of the team but are no longer part of it, it is important to transition ownership to someone else prior to leaving the team.
Can I add a new tab to the top of a chat?
Yes, you can add new tabs to the top of either a personal chat or team chat. This is especially helpful if there are documents, links, or collaboration tools that you frequently utilize with the person/people you are chatting with. Along the top of the chat there is a square with a + sign inside of it. Click that to review the options for what you can add to a tab at the top of the chat. You can select the one you wish to add and it will appear at the top.
How do I use teams for making phone calls?
If your Widener phone extension is linked to your Microsoft Teams, when you access the Calls tab from the far left menu, you will see a dial pad. You can make phone calls either using this feature or if you’re calling another Widener employee, you can use the audio call feature from within a chat. Learn more about using Microsoft Teams Voice.
How do I participate in a Teams meeting?
A Teams meeting is very similar to Zoom, allowing participants to utilize their audio as well as video to participate in a meeting online. Participants can chat, share their screen, meetings can be recorded, and more. Learn more about Microsoft Teams meetings.
If you are using Teams Voice for internal and external phone calls, visit the Microsoft Teams Voice page for more information and resources.
How to Learn More
Explore resources for learning more about Microsoft Teams to use it effectively and efficiently and get the most out of the service.
From Microsoft
- Microsoft 365 Quick Start – Teams
- Microsoft Support – Teams Help & Learning
From LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning provides a number of tutorials on Microsoft Teams and other Office products. Visit LinkedIn Learning and log in with your Widener credentials to explore learning topics or visit the following related to Microsoft Teams:
If you want additional help with Microsoft products, you can reach out to CX for your campus or fill out a QuickTicket.
