Guides in this section

Microsoft Teams: How to use Chat

Updated

Microsoft Teams Chat provides a quick way to communicate internally without sending an email. You can use it for one-on-one conversations, group conversations, file sharing, quick questions, calls, and meeting-related discussions.

Teams Chat is available through:

  • The Microsoft Teams desktop application
  • Microsoft Teams in a web browser
  • Microsoft 365 applications such as Outlook

1. Microsoft Teams Desktop App

Opening Chat

  1. Open the Microsoft Teams application.
  2. Sign in with your work or school Microsoft 365 account.
  3. Select Chat or Chat and channels from the left side of Teams.
  4. Select an existing conversation to continue chatting.

The desktop application generally provides the fullest Teams experience, including notifications, file sharing, calling, screen sharing, and opening conversations in separate windows.

Starting a New Chat

  1. Select New message.
  2. In the To field, enter the name or email address of the person you want to contact.
  3. Select the person from the search results.
  4. Enter your message in the compose box.
  5. Select Send or press Enter.

You can open important conversations in their own window.

  1. Select More options next to a chat.
  2. Select Open chat in new window.

You can also press Ctrl+Shift+T on Windows to open the current conversation in a separate window when supported.

2. Microsoft Teams Web App

Opening Teams on the Web

  1. Open a supported desktop browser.
  2. Sign in to Okta at aurorauniversity.okta.com
  3. Navigate to any Office 365 app and then select Teams in the top left app launcher.
  4. Select Chat on the left-hand sidebar.

Starting a New Chat

The chat process is the same as in the desktop application:

  1. Select New message.
  2. Enter one or more names in the To field.
  3. Enter your message.
  4. Select Send.

3. Using Teams Chat from Outlook

Teams and Outlook work together so you can move from an email conversation to a chat or call.

Open Teams Chat in Outlook

  1. In the top right banner of Outlook, select the Teams icon.
  2. All current chat display. You can also create new chats, or open the Teams app.

Starting a Chat from an Email

  1. Open an email.
  2. Select the sender’s name or profile image.
  3. Open the contact card.
  4. Select the Chat or Teams icon.
  5. Enter your message in the Teams conversation that opens.

Sharing an Outlook Email to Teams

  1. Open the email in Outlook.
  2. Select Share to Teams from the toolbar or ribbon.
  3. Search for the person, group chat, or channel.
  4. Add an optional explanation.
  5. Select Share.

Note: This sends a copy of the email to Teams. It does not move the original message out of Outlook.

Need Help?

For additional help, contact the ITS Helpdesk at itshelp@aurora.edu or (630) 844-5790.