How to Get the Most Out of Your Microsoft Teams

The onset of COVID-19 transformed online communication from a convenience into an essential lifeline. Thus, the race to dominate the realm of virtual collaboration commenced. Amidst the flurry of options, Microsoft Teams emerged victorious, securing a staggering 1.4 billion monthly users by 2023. Chances are, you're among this massive user count, relying on Teams as your primary tool for communication and collaboration with colleagues.

But here's the million-dollar question: are you truly maximizing the potential of your Teams experience?

In this blog, we're diving deep into Microsoft Teams to unveil a treasure trove of tips and tricks. Whether you're a seasoned Teams user or just starting out, we've curated a collection of insights that will elevate your experience to pro status. Get ready to unlock the full potential of Microsoft Teams and become a true master of virtual collaboration.

Tips and Tricks Context:

• Mastering Keyboard Shortcuts
• Search Through Your Conversations
• Utilise SharePoint Integration
• Download Meeting Transcripts
• Collaborate on Microsoft Whiteboard
• Make File Sharing Easy With File Sync
• Leverage Loop to Become More Connected
• Harness The Power of Microsofts Brand New AI Companion

Mastering Keyboard Shortcuts

Search Through Your Conversations

As your content within Microsoft Teams grows, the search feature evolves into an indispensable tool, especially when you find yourself struggling to recall where you stashed crucial work projects!

Once you've entered your search query and pressed Enter, the search results will neatly populate the left pane. You can effortlessly toggle between People and Files by clicking on the respective tabs, ensuring comprehensive coverage of both group conversations and individual exchanges.

Here's a breakdown of the supported keywords that can supercharge your search capabilities (remember to omit spaces between the colon and search terms):

• "From:" followed by the person's name
• "In:" followed by the channel or group chat name
• "Subject:" targeting keywords within a message or subject line
• "Sent:" filtering messages based on the date they were sent

Utilise SharePoint Integration 

By navigating to the Files tab within Teams, you unlock a treasure trove of file-sharing capabilities powered by SharePoint. Here, you can effortlessly share files with fellow team members, streamlining collaboration efforts and ensuring everyone stays on the same page. What's more, if a file has been shared to a specific channel, team members can leverage Office Online or their preferred desktop applications to collaborate in real time, harnessing the full suite of editing and collaboration features at their fingertips.

Download Meeting Transcriptions

Taking meeting notes can be time-consuming, but Microsoft Teams offers a streamlined solution.

After your meeting recording is finalised, navigate to the ellipsis and open your video in Microsoft Stream. Then, access the ellipsis once more and select "Update Video Details." Choose "Autogenerate a caption file" within the Video Language section and click "Update."

Once the process is complete, your meeting transcription is ready for download from the Microsoft Streams section. This ensures that important discussions and insights are readily available whenever you need them, without the hassle of manual note-taking.

Collaborate On Microsoft Whiteboard

Enhance collaboration within Microsoft Teams by utilizing the Whiteboard app. This intuitive tool allows team members to collaborate in a shared space, adding text, images, and sketches with ease. You can seamlessly integrate the Whiteboard app into channels, chats, and even Teams video calls. Simply download the Whiteboard app, then add it to a channel by selecting the "+" icon and choosing Whiteboard from the Add a tab menu. Alternatively, you can find Whiteboard listed among the tabs in a chat window.

With Whiteboard at your fingertips, you can boost creativity and productivity by fostering visual collaboration within your team. Whether you're brainstorming ideas, planning projects, or illustrating concepts, the Whiteboard app provides a versatile platform for sharing and refining your thoughts in real time.

Make File Sharing Easy With File Sync

To enhance your workflow, synchronise files and folders on your computer seamlessly.

Navigate to Files within your selected channels and click on Sync at the top of the menu. This action prompts Teams to generate a quick access folder on your desktop via OneDrive. With this feature in place, you'll enjoy rapid and convenient access to your files whenever the need arises.

Leverage Loop to Become More Connected

In the realm of remote teamwork, connectivity is key, especially for avid users of Microsoft Teams. Loop, a rebranded version of Microsoft's Fluid framework technologies, emerges as a standalone app aimed at boosting project management and collaboration efforts. Whether used independently or integrated seamlessly within apps like Teams, Outlook, OneNote, and the Microsoft Whiteboard, Loop facilitates enhanced teamwork and productivity.

Loop's notification system ensures that stakeholders stay informed of updates, sending notifications via Teams and email with @ mentions. Its intuitive interface allows users to effortlessly engage with components, while each component's associated file ensures easy accessibility. With Loop, teams can cultivate a culture of connectivity and collaboration, empowering members to work efficiently, regardless of their location or time zone.

Get the full insight into Microsoft Loop HERE

Harness The Power of Microsoft Brand New AI Companion

Microsoft users now have the advantage of leveraging AI with Copilot for 365. This innovative AI tool seamlessly integrates with your favourite Microsoft applications, including Teams.

Unlock the full potential of Copilot for 365 with these key functionalities:

• Generate Your Agenda: Utilize Copilot to effortlessly create detailed agendas for your meetings, ensuring that discussions stay focused and productive.
• Create Meeting Scripts: With Copilot, you can craft quick scripts to guide you through leading a meeting with clarity and confidence.
• Summarize Meeting Notes: Copilot simplifies the task of summarizing meeting notes, allowing you to capture key points and action items with ease.
• Generate Ideas: During discussions, Copilot can assist in generating new ideas and insights, enhancing collaboration and creativity within your team.

Copilot is Microsofts flagship AI contender and it's already smarter than you could imagine! Get the full insight into Microsoft Copilot HERE