Use the Chat Feature in MS Teams

Last updated on March 23, 2026

During a Teams meeting, you may need to send a message to the participants, such as a reminder or a link to something discussed in the meeting. The Chat feature in MS Teams allows you to send a message to all participants, or direct messages to one or some participants. These chats will be available to view both during and after the meeting. Additionally, if you recorded the meeting, the recordings will also appear in the chat once the meeting has ended. You can also use the chat feature in Teams outside of meetings to message individuals or groups that are part of your organization (MSU Denver).

Directions

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Open MS Teams

We recommend installing the Microsoft Teams desktop app on your computer. Teams also has a browser version, however, it has more limitations than the desktop app.

You can use our Download and Install MS Teams tutorial for help with this.

To Open Teams through your internet browser:

1. Open the MSU Denver Faculty and Staff Hub.
2. Click Quick Links.
3. Select Office 365 (Email and more).
4. Login using your MSU Credentials.
5. Click the Options Menu (9 dot array) at the top left of the screen.
6. Select Teams from the drop-down menu.

Use Chat During a Teams Meeting

1. Open Teams.
2. Start a Teams Meeting.
   1. Refer to our tutorial, Start a Meeting with Students in MS Teams, for guidance.
3. Click Chat (comment icon) from the toolbar at the top of the meeting to message all members.
4. Type your message in the textbox at the bottom right.
   • See the section below, Start a New Chat, for different message options.
5. Click Send (arrow).
   • A number will appear next to the chat icon to indicate any unread messages in the chat. 

Access Meeting Chat after Meeting Ends

1. Locate the Meeting from the calendar or Class Team.
2. Click the Meeting title.
3. Select Chat from the pop-up window.
   • If you clicked the meeting from a Class Team, Chat will be in the top left.
4. You can view any messages that were sent during the meeting, or you can send new messages in the chat. Anyone who was a member of the meeting will be able to see any new messages sent.

Use the Chat Feature Outside of Meetings

Start a New Chat

1. Open Teams.
2. Click Chat from the navigation menu on the left.
3. Click the New Message Icon (square with a line through it) at the top of the Chat panel to create a new message or section.
4. Start Typing the names or emails of the people or groups you want to message at the top right, and select the correct user from the options that appear.
5. Type your message in the text box at the bottom right.
6. Chat offers a few different tools to the right of the text box that you can click on to use in your chat:
   • Formatting Options (an A with a pencil): Opens up text formatting options such as bolding text, bullet points, sizing options, etc.
   • Emoji (smiley face): Select an Emoji, GIF, or Sticker to include in your message.
   • Loop Components (rounded teardrop): Start a paragraph that anyone in the chat can edit.
   • Plus Icon: Pulls up a menu that allows you to attach files, schedule a message, set delivery options (such as marking it urgent), schedule a meeting, and record a video clip. You can also find other apps that integrate with Teams here.
7. Click Send (arrow) to send the message.

Use Different Tools in the Chat Panel

1. Open Teams.
2. Click Chat from the navigation menu on the left.
   • A list of previous chats will appear. Any meeting you were a member of will create a chat, whether the chat was used during the meeting or not.
3. Click on a Chat from the list to open it on the right.
4. Click a Filter at the top of the left panel to sort the chats:
   • Click Unread to view any unread messages.
     • A small red number icon will appear next to the Chat Icon if you have any unread messages.
   • Click Chats to view chats created outside of a meeting.
     • This is where chats created through the Chat panel, as well as chats from meetings started through the Calls feature, will appear.
   • Click Meeting Chats to view chats from past meetings.
   • Click the Filter Name again to get rid of the filter.
5. Click Copilot at the top of the left panel to open the Generative AI chatbot.
6. Click Mentions to see any messages where you were mentioned using the @ symbol.
7. Click the magnifying glass to search for specific chats.
8. Click the three-dot more list options menu at the top of the Chat panel to mark all messages as read, collapse all sections, or adjust view settings.
9. Click the arrow next to New Message (square with a line through it), and selectNew Section to create a folder to organize your chats with.
   • Type a Name for the section.
   • Click Create. The new section will appear above the list of chats.
   • You may need to unclick any filters to view the sections.
   • Hover over a chat name you want to move to the section.
   • Click the three dots that appear to the right of the name.
   • Select Move to from the drop-down menu.
   • Select the section you want the chat moved to.
     • Alternatively, you can drag and drop the chat to the correct section.
   • Hover over a section, and click the three dots to rename or delete a section.