
Microsoft Teams video calls offer a range of features that enhance collaboration and productivity.
With screen sharing, you can present your screen to others in real-time, making it easy to demonstrate software or share files. This feature is especially useful for remote training sessions or when working with team members who need to see your screen.
Microsoft Teams video calls also support live captions, which automatically transcribe the audio in real-time. This feature is a game-changer for team members who are deaf or hard of hearing.
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Before a Meeting
Before a meeting, it's a good idea to turn on your video by toggling the Camera on before joining. This ensures you're visible to others and can participate fully.
To help others prepare, use the "add details" section of the scheduling tool to add an agenda, assign responsibilities, and let people know what the meeting is for and why they need to be there.
Remember to avoid inviting people unnecessarily, just like you would in an in-person meeting.
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During a Meeting
Make sure the meeting runs smoothly by taking an active facilitation role. This helps the team stick to the agenda and stay on track.
Using the "mute" feature can help prevent people from speaking at the same time, keeping the conversation organized.
Breakout Rooms
Breakout rooms are a game-changer for meetings, allowing the organizer to create sub-meetings within the main Teams meeting.
Microsoft began rolling out this feature in December 2020, giving organizations more flexibility in their meetings.
Organizations can choose how many breakout rooms they need, making it easy to accommodate different group sizes and discussions.
You can assign participants automatically, dividing them into equal-sized rooms, or manually, assigning them to rooms as you choose.
To access this feature, go to Profile > General Settings, click on turn on new meeting experience, and then restart Teams.
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Active Meeting Facilitator
As an active meeting facilitator, your role is to keep the meeting on track and ensure everyone stays engaged. This means helping the team stick to the agenda.
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Make sure to use features such as video recording and note-sharing to keep everyone on the same page. This can be especially helpful if you have a large team or if you're working on a complex project.
To avoid interruptions, use the "mute" feature to prevent people from speaking at the same time. This simple trick can help keep the conversation flowing smoothly.
By taking an active facilitation role, you can help your team stay focused and achieve their goals.
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Sharing and Collaboration
Sharing and collaboration are key aspects of Microsoft Teams video calls. You can share your screen to show off your work, presentations, or any other content to all participants. This saves time and keeps everyone in sync.
To share your screen, simply click on the "Share content" option and choose from the available options, such as launching a PowerPoint presentation or opening and screen-sharing integrated apps. The meeting organizer can also allow others to present via the More actions > Meeting options submenu.
Sharing your screen allows you to share your whole screen or just one window or application, whatever suits you. You can also share audio, which is great for training sessions and delivering important messages.
Large Gallery
Large Gallery is a fantastic feature in Teams that lets you see up to 49 participant videos at once in a meeting window. This is especially useful in large meetings where you want to keep an eye on everyone.
To access Large Gallery, you need at least one participant sharing their video. If no one is sharing video, Large Gallery won't be available. I've been in meetings where this was a bummer, but it's a small price to pay for the benefits.
If you have more than 49 participants in a meeting, you can use the navigation controls at the bottom of the gallery to view or engage with more participants. This is super helpful if you have a big team or a large audience.
Here's a quick rundown of how to use Large Gallery:
- Select More actions > Views.
- Tap the view you want.
- Pinch in or out to zoom and adjust your view.
This is a great way to customize your view and make the most of Large Gallery. Give it a try and see how it can enhance your Teams meetings!
Assign Seats

Assigning seats in a meeting can be a crucial part of creating a productive and focused environment. To manually assign participants to seats in a Together mode scene, you can follow these simple steps.
Select View > Together mode in your meeting controls, and then select the dropdown arrow next to Everyone in your meeting controls. From there, select Assign seats. This will allow you to drag and drop each participant to a specific seat.
If someone joins after seats have been assigned, they will be assigned to a seat randomly. This ensures that everyone has a designated spot, even if they join late.
Here's a step-by-step guide to assigning seats:
- Select View > Together mode in your meeting controls.
- Select the dropdown arrow next to Everyone in your meeting controls.
- Select Assign seats.
- Drag and drop each participant to a seat.
- Select Assign.
Share Content
Sharing content with others is a breeze in Microsoft Teams. You can share your screen, launch a PowerPoint presentation, or open and screen-share integrated apps like Microsoft Whiteboard.
Clicking "Share content" gives you the option to share your screen or other content. The meeting organizer can allow others to present via the More actions > Meeting options submenu.
You can share your whole screen or just one window or application, whatever suits you. This is perfect for presentations, training sessions, or delivering important messages.
For a better experience, optimize your display settings before joining a call. Adjusting the screen resolution and scaling makes sure everybody sees and understands what's on your screen, even from different devices or sizes.
Here are some ways you can share content with others during a meeting:
- Share important documents and links without delay.
- Ask questions and provide input without interrupting the speaker.
- Brighten up the conversation with emojis and GIFs!
- Refer back to previous conversations for important points and follow-up actions.
You can also privately message certain participants, allowing for discreet communication that won’t disrupt the meeting.
Select Participants to Invite
To select participants to invite, click the ‘People’ icon at the top right corner of your screen. This will bring up a sidebar where you can search for participants by typing their names in the search bar.
You can also invite guests who don't have a Microsoft Teams account by entering their email addresses. This is a great feature for collaborating with people outside of your organization.
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To select participants, simply click on their names in the search results. You can choose as many participants as you need for your video call.
Here's a quick rundown of the steps:
- Click the ‘People’ icon.
- Search for participants by name or email address.
- Click on their names to select them.
By selecting the right participants, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. This is especially important for remote teams or collaborations across different time zones.
Meeting Controls
To ensure your Microsoft Teams video calls run smoothly, it's essential to understand the meeting controls available to you. You can view and hide the call's participants by clicking the relevant icon at the top right-hand corner of the screen.
When you're hosting a call, you'll want to keep an eye on the chat screen, which can be toggled on and off using the same icon. This way, you can keep track of any important messages or discussions that arise during the call.
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The three dots at the far end of the screen open up a host of further options, including recording the call, changing your device's settings, and turning off incoming video streams. This gives you more flexibility to customize your call experience as needed.
Here are some key meeting controls to keep in mind:
- View and hide the call's participants
- Toggle the chat screen on and off
- Record the call
- Change your device's settings
- Turn off incoming video streams
Use Filters
To enhance your video feed, you can use video filters.
You can soften your face with a smoothing effect by turning on the toggle next to "Soft focus" in Video Settings.
To adjust brightness and improve video quality when lighting is poor, simply turn on the toggle next to "Adjust brightness".
To apply a video filter before a meeting, follow these steps:
- Select Open device settings on the pre-join screen.
- In Video Settings, turn on the toggle next to your desired filter.
Conferencing Controls
Conferencing controls are a crucial aspect of any Microsoft Teams meeting. You can access them in the top right-hand corner of the screen on the desktop app.
The controls include options to view and hide participants, toggle the chat screen, react with emojis, and start breakout rooms if you're hosting the call. You can also access more advanced options by clicking the three dots at the far end of the screen.
On the mobile app, the controls are slightly limited, but you can still toggle your audio and video on and off, and change how the meeting's sound is played from your device. To view the complete list of available controls, including recording and locking the meeting, tap the three dots next to the hangup icon.
The desktop app offers more features, including the ability to record the call and change your device's settings. You can also add apps to your Microsoft Teams video conferencing setup, including support for virtual whiteboards and sketching tools.
Here's a quick rundown of the available options:
* Desktop app:
+ View and hide participants
+ Toggle chat screen
+ React with emojis
+ Start breakout rooms
+ Record call
+ Change device settings
+ Add apps
* Mobile app:
+ Toggle audio and video
+ Change meeting sound settings
+ Record call
+ Lock meeting
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Meeting Features
Microsoft Teams video calls offer a range of meeting features to ensure a productive and efficient experience.
The "mute" feature can help prevent people from speaking at the same time during meetings. This can be especially helpful in large team meetings or when discussing complex topics.
To keep meetings organized, consider using breakout rooms, which allow you to divide participants into smaller groups for discussions. This can be particularly useful for brainstorming sessions or when working on specific projects.
Microsoft Teams also offers features like file sharing and screen sharing, making it easy to collaborate and share information during meetings.
Some other useful features include sidebar chat, which allows participants to have private conversations during meetings, and meeting recording, which enables you to capture important moments for later reference.
Here are some key features to consider when using Microsoft Teams for meetings:
- Breakout rooms
- File sharing
- Screen sharing
- Sidebar chat
- Meeting recording
Starting and Managing Meetings
Starting a Microsoft Teams video call is a breeze. Simply open Microsoft Teams, navigate to the Calls tab, and click on the "Start a video call" button. You can also use the "Meet" icon located in the top-right corner of the screen to initiate a meeting.
To start a video call, you'll need to select the participants you want to invite. You can do this by clicking on the "Start a video call" button and then selecting the contacts you want to join the call. Make sure to adjust the audio and video settings before starting the call.
Microsoft Teams offers various features to enhance your video calls, such as screen sharing, virtual backgrounds, and chat. To access these features, click on the video camera icon at the top of the screen and then click on the "Start a video call" button.
Here are the steps to start a video call on Microsoft Teams:
- Launch Microsoft Teams on your device.
- Sign in with your account details.
- Go to the chat or channel you want the video call in.
- Find the video camera icon at the top of the screen.
- Click the “Start a video call” button.
- Wait for contacts to join and let the conversation begin!
As you can see, starting a video call on Microsoft Teams is straightforward. You can also use the "Meet now" or "Schedule a meeting" option to set up a video conference.
Benefits and Best Practices
Microsoft Teams video calls offer several benefits for businesses. One of the main advantages is its reliability and stability, making it a great choice for large organizations.
You can expect best-in-class security and privacy, giving you peace of mind when sharing sensitive information. Additionally, the platform offers excellent support, including setup guides, training videos, customer forums, live-chat support, and a call center.
Microsoft Teams also makes it easy to join meetings, with the ability to accommodate meeting sizes ranging from one-on-one to up to 10,000 participants.
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Benefits of Conferences
Conferences can be a great way to connect with others, whether it's for work or personal reasons. You can have meetings with up to 10,000 participants, which is a huge advantage for large organizations.
Having a reliable and stable video conferencing platform is essential for smooth meetings. Microsoft Teams has this covered, with a platform that's built for business.
Setting up a conference with Microsoft Teams is relatively easy, thanks to their user-friendly interface and setup guides. You can also get help through their customer forums, live-chat support, and call center.
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If you're already using Microsoft 365, you'll find that Microsoft Teams is a convenient and affordable option. You can even join meetings via web browser without downloading the app.
Prioritizing videos in a meeting can be helpful if you want to see more people who have their cameras on. To do this, select "Gallery" under "View" and then click on "Prioritize video".
Best Practices for Conferencing
Conferencing can be a challenge, but with the right approach, it can be a huge success. Microsoft Teams is a great tool for running virtual meetings.
First, make sure to test your audio and video before the meeting starts. This will prevent last-minute technical issues and ensure everyone can hear and see each other clearly.
Having a clear agenda is essential for a productive meeting. This will help keep everyone on track and ensure all important topics are discussed.
Additional Features
Microsoft Teams video calls offer a range of features to enhance your communication and collaboration.
You can use breakout rooms to separate participants into smaller groups for more focused discussions. File sharing allows you to share files with colleagues and edit them together in real-time. Screen sharing enables you to share your screen with others, making it easier to collaborate on tasks.
Sidebar chat is a great feature for having side conversations without interrupting the main discussion. Meeting recording is also available, allowing you to capture important moments.
Here are some additional features to consider:
- Chat feature: Send instant messages to colleagues and keep conversations organized.
- Video conferencing: Connect face-to-face with colleagues, no matter their location.
- File sharing/collaboration: Share files and edit them together in real-time.
- Channel organization: Group conversations by project or topic to keep them organized.
- Integration with other Microsoft tools: Save time by working with Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive.
These features, along with customization options like adding apps, bots, or connectors, can extend the functionality of Microsoft Teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer see my Teams video calls?
Yes, your employer can see your Teams video calls through the Teams meetings recording feature and Microsoft 365 admin center. They may also be monitored in real-time by third-party tools, depending on the organization's settings.
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