Key Features While Using Microsoft Teams for Chat

Purpose 

This article contains information on how to use the chat option on Microsoft teams.

Explanation

Teams Chat Basics

Screenshot of Teams Homepage

  1. Chat Window 
  2. Recent Chats 
  3.  Pinned Chats 
  4. Video Call 
  5. Audio Call 
  6. Screen Share
  7. Add people to chat
  8. User and group search
  9. Message Box
  10. User or group name

Start a Chat

  • Click the New Chat icon from the top of the chat window (or press Ctrl + N on your keyboard).

Screenshot of groups creation in Teams Homepage highlighting the New Chat button

  • A new chat will be created, and a recipient field will appear at the top, where you can add users to the chat.

New Chat window

  • Add one or multiple users to the chat by typing either a name or group.

Screenshot of groups creation in Teams Homepage

  • Once you have added all your users, you can begin sending a message at the bottom of the page.

How to Pin a Chat

  • Click on the Chat Tab icon on the left side of  Microsoft Teams. 

Screenshot of the options in the teams chat highlighting the pin button

  • Right-click on an available chat (or select More options (...) three dots), and a menu will appear.
  • Select Pin, and the chat will be pinned to the top of your chats list in the "Pinned" area.

How to Hide a Chat

Video: Quick Tips | Hiding Chats

  • Go to the chat you want to hide and right-click on an available chat (or select More options (...) three dots), and a menu will appear.
  • Select Hide, and you will no longer see the chat.

Screenshot of the options in the teams chat highlighting the hide button

  • Unhide the chat by searching for the name of the person or group you hid and select Unhide in more options.

How to Mute a Chat

Video: Quick Tips | Muting Chats

  • Select the Chat Tab icon to open the chat list.
  • Right-click on the chat you want to mute (or select More options (...) three dots), and a menu will appear.
  • Select Mute. 
  • You will no longer receive a notification for the selected chat. If you change your mind, select it again and Unmute it.

Screenshot of the options in the teams chat highlighting the mute button

How to Delete a Message on Chat

  • Navigate to the text you want to delete and right-click on the three dots (...), and a drop-down will appear.
  • Select Delete, and your message will be removed from the chat window.

Screenshot of the options in the teams chat highlighting the delete button

How to Mute a Chat from another Org.

  • Muting the chat locally will have no affect.
  • Switch to the other ORG by clicking on your user icon and selecting the name of the other organization.
  • Locate the Chat thread you wish to Mute, then click the ... (More options) and select Mute.
  • Switch back to The University of Texas at Dallas org.
  • The chat notifications are now muted.
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Microsoft Teams is a powerful team-based collaboration tool that provides group chat, channeled conversations, instant messaging, live document collaboration, audio or video calls, and meetings (from one-on-ones to fully-featured audio/video conferences).