Ok, so Microsoft Teams is a helpful tool in the Office 365 toolkit for collaboration. But where can I find those Teams? Actually, in many places: in the Office 365 portal in the browser, in a desktop app and in a mobile app. You can structure your set of Teams to make your favorites more prominent, and ask for email notifications with shortcuts to recent activity.
In previous posts I discussed the questions what’s with Microsoft Teams and who is in my Team? Now let us dive into the question where you should look if you want to work in a Team.
On different devices, in the browser and apps
The best way to experience Microsoft Teams is in the desktop app.
The Microsoft Teams desktop app
But here is also a Teams app for iPhone, Android and even Windows Phone, so that you can find your Teams on the go.
A Microsoft Teams channel conversation in the Windows Phone App
In Office 365 in the web browser, there is an online version that offer almost all of the functionality included in the desktop app, except for calls with voice and video. Teams has its own tile in the App Launcher.
Teams has a tile in the App Launcher of Office 365.
Structure your collection in the desktop app
Because you may soon be a member of many Teams, it is important to structure your Teams collection.
- Collapse the Team headings when you don’t need to see the underlying channels, to get a better overview.
- Select your favorite Teams and demote the rest: click on the ellipsis at the root of the Team and toggle to Favorite or Remove favorite.
- Within the Favorites list, you can determine the sort order by dragging and dropping Teams up or down. Simple, but I like this a lot! In the overview of my Team Sites in SharePoint Online for example, I don’t have that level of control.
- The Teams and channels marked in bold have something new.
- Still can’t find a Team? Then use the search box.
You favorite Teams are displayed at the top of the list. Add a Team to your favorites via the ellipsis.
The one thing to keep in mind when you organize your favorites, is that Teams in other tenants, where you are a guest (external member) are NOT listed in the same menu. You need to switch to see them.
Megan works for Contoso and has some Teams there. She can switch to the Teams at Macaw where she is a Guest.
Email notifications to guide you in
It is helpful to receive an email notification when something happens in a Team, especially for people who do not live in Microsoft Teams all day.
You determine which notifications you want to receive and how often, via your Profile in the left bottom corner.
In the notification settings, you can ask for an e-mail, for example, when you are mentioned in a chat (Via Profile > Notifications)
So yes, I find it quite easy to find my Teams.
