To create a new chat in Microsoft Teams, you simply initiate a new conversation from the chat interface, specify your recipient(s), and begin typing your message.
How to Start a New Conversation in Microsoft Teams
Starting a new chat in Teams is a straightforward process, whether you're looking to have a one-on-one discussion or create a group chat for a team project. This guide will walk you through the steps to get your new conversation going.
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a New Chat
Follow these instructions to quickly set up a new chat:
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Initiate New Chat:
- Look for the "New chat" icon, usually represented by a square with a pencil or a speech bubble, located at the top of your Teams chat list or in the top-right corner of the Teams application. Tapping or clicking this icon will open a new chat composition window.
- Tip: On desktop, you might also use the keyboard shortcut
Ctrl + N(Windows) orCmd + N(Mac) to quickly open a new chat.
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Add Participants:
- In the "To:" field, begin typing the name, email address, or phone number of the person or people you wish to chat with.
- As you type, Teams will display a list of suggestions from your organization's directory, your contacts, or recent communications.
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Select Contact(s):
- Select the desired person from the list of suggestions or contacts to add them to the chat.
- If you're creating a group chat, continue adding all the individuals you want to include.
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Start Chatting:
- Once your recipient(s) are added, the chat window will be ready. Type your message in the compose box at the bottom and press
Enterto send it.
- Once your recipient(s) are added, the chat window will be ready. Type your message in the compose box at the bottom and press
Understanding Different Chat Types
Teams supports various types of chats, each with specific uses:
| Chat Type | Description | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| One-on-One Chat | A private conversation between two individuals. | Ideal for direct communication, quick questions, and private discussions. |
| Group Chat | A conversation involving three or more people. | Perfect for project teams, departmental discussions, and collaborative work. Can be named. |
| Meeting Chat | A chat created automatically for a Teams meeting, accessible before, during, and after the meeting. | Facilitates pre-meeting planning, in-meeting discussion, and post-meeting follow-ups. |
Enhancing Your Group Chats
Group chats are incredibly versatile for collaboration. Here are a few tips to make them more effective:
- Name Your Group Chat: To make it easy to identify, give your group chat a descriptive name. Once you've added multiple participants, click the "Group name" or pencil icon next to the list of participants at the top of the chat window and type in a name. This name will appear in your chat list instead of a list of names.
- Add More People: If you need to add someone to an existing chat, open the chat, click "Add people" (usually represented by a person icon with a plus sign) in the top right corner, type their name, and select them. You'll have the option to include a portion of the chat history with the new member.
- Pin Important Chats: For chats you access frequently, you can pin them to the top of your chat list for easy access. Right-click (or long-press on mobile) on the chat and select "Pin."
Creating and managing chats is a fundamental part of using Microsoft Teams effectively for communication and collaboration. For more detailed instructions and advanced features, you can always refer to the official Microsoft Teams support documentation.
