Slack revolutionized team messaging when it launched in August 2013, largely replacing email for internal communications in many organizations. However, Microsoft Teams has since surged ahead, boasting over 13 million users by seamlessly integrating with Office 365.
Backed by Microsoft's powerful ecosystem, Teams makes collaboration effortless—especially if your organization already uses Office 365. As seasoned Teams users, we've compiled these proven tips to help you work smarter and elevate your productivity.
Keyboard shortcuts are a game-changer for daily Teams use. Start with these essentials:
/ – Reveals all available commands./keys – Displays the full list of shortcuts. Customize by noting the ones you use most.
Type them in the top search bar, as shown, to access instantly.
Streamline chat navigation by renaming group conversations. For instance, label a discussion on Product A as "Product A Bugs" for quick future searches.
Click the pencil icon at the top (group chats only).
While we minimize email at our teams, it's unavoidable for many. Teams lets you forward emails with attachments from whitelisted domains directly to channels.
Under Advanced Settings, restrict senders by domain to curb spam.
Boost morale by creating GIFs right in Teams via Giphy integration—perfect for adding fun to discussions.
Bots handle repetitive tasks efficiently. Try the Who bot to find colleagues by role, like "marketing manager for Product X."
Chat with bots naturally. Others include Calendar for scheduling, Polly for polls, and YellowAnt for workflows across 40+ apps. Build custom bots too.
Tabs pin apps, websites, or videos to channels. Ideal for shared tools like Trello.
Click the + icon; note the built-in Files tab.
Flag important messages for later via the bookmark feature.
Access from the message menu.
For shared docs, use Immersive Reader to strip distractions, read aloud with highlights, or translate to 60+ languages.
Teams shines in Microsoft ecosystems like Office 365. Apply these tips for real productivity gains.
Next: Tame your Outlook inbox with rules for Office 365—check the link below.