Teams
Microsoft Teams (MS Teams) is a secure collaboration hub allowing both internal and external users to host 1:1 or group audio/video meetings, with up to 300 interactive participants. With webinars participants rise to 1000 interactive and 10,000 view-only. Teams also allows inline co-authoring of documents, private chat, and easily integrates features from other apps.
Service Availability Status
- Official Microsoft account on Twitter #Microsoft 365 Status
- University of Edinburgh Service Alerts
- Microsoft Teams (including community postings, expert and partners) hashtag to follow on Twitter #MicrosoftTeams
Teams Updates
The following shows features or updates coming soon to Teams or being released now.
| Update | Description | Expected Release | Roadmap ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement of Wiki |
Microsoft will phase out Wiki’s in different stages, as the infrastructure of Wiki might not meet users’ daily needs. For future note taking, OneNote will be available in Teams channels.
Users cannot create new wikis, but they can access and edit their existing wiki and have the option to export content to OneNote. Once exported, the Wiki is available as read only. Export a wiki to a OneNote notebook - Microsoft Support
Wiki tab in channel is unavailable. Users can access and edit content in Wiki app and export content to OneNote.
Wiki’s tab and wiki App will not be accessible in Teams. To access the content, users need to download wiki files from SharePoint. |
Q1 2023 | N/A |
| Hybrid meetings audio enhancement |
If multiple users are participating with laptops from the same location, Teams will notify user that another Teams device has been detected nearby and is already included with audio in the current meeting. Teams will automatically mute other microphones that joined when a user's audio is already on and in use. This enhancement will be available on Teams Desktop app for Windows and macOS. |
Q1 2023 | |
| Co-organiser meeting role |
Teams meeting organisers can assign the co-organiser meeting role to up to 10 people. Co-organisers will be granted many of the capabilities of the organiser in the meeting, including being able to:
Co-organisers will not be able to do the following:
|
Q2 2022 | 81391 |
To see more features recently added or coming soon to Teams, including more in-depth information on these new features, please see:
All Product Updates, including those in development, rolling out or launched can be found on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap
Teaching Remotely
We recommend using Teams to hold meetings or for group chat, but if you are looking to teach remotely then you should refer to guidance about Teaching Continuity Preparation
Teams for Teaching is now also available.
Unsure which tool to use for your meetings or events?
If you are unsure which tool best fits your needs for your meetings or events, you may find the Online and Digital Events Service helpful. Here you will find advice and guidance about safely and securely hosting your meetings and events online, supported tools and and a selector to help you choose the right tool right tool for your type of meeting or event:
Online and Digital Events Service
Connecting People with Teams
Have a look at our blog article giving some insights and reflection about how Teams is being used to support people working from home: Connecting People with Microsoft Teams
Bonus Teams Tip
- If you only wish to start a conversation with someone, use the "Meet now" feature to call them using Teams, it's quick a free phone call and you don't need to create a teams channel or group chat. It's great that Teams allows us to see immediately when someone is available to talk, helping us to practice good work etiquette.
Limits and Specifications
Microsoft Teams has various limits, specifications and requirements that apply to it.
Microsoft provide up-to-date information on these limits and specifications on their website. This gives information on how many people can be in a Team, how many Teams you can create, how many attendees can join a meeting and other information.
Limits and Specifications for Microsoft Teams (Microsoft site)
Help avoid disruptions to your events
The biggest cause of unwelcome disruption to an online meeting or event is because of sharing the link to join the meeting out on social media platforms. This isn't unique to just Zoom, it applies to any online meeting platform allowing anyone with the join link (an invitation) to access the meeting.
How to avoid disruptions to your events
Security
Please review the University of Edinburgh's policies on Information Security which applies when using Microsoft Teams:
University of Edinburgh Information Security Policy (PDF)
If you are sharing research data in Microsoft Teams, please refer to the Research Data Service webpage for information:
Data Protection
Microsoft Teams DPIA
DPIAs have been completed at the University of Edinburgh for each of the Online and Digital Events services.
Please access the DPIA for Teams using Your University Login.
University Data Protection policy
You can also review the Universities policy on Data protection:
University of Edinburgh Data Protection Policy
Adding external guest users in Teams
If you’re adding external guest users to Teams, please inform the user that their contact email address with be added to the University’s address book, and can be opt-out if they wish. If the guest wishes to opt-out, please raise a request to IS Helpline to have the guest’s email address removed.
Privacy
Recording Online and Digital Events
Recording Privacy Statement (Internal - Staff and Students)
For guidance on how to record events in Teams, see our guidance on recording your Teams meetings.
Further Privacy Information
You can also review the University's privacy notices, which apply when using Microsoft Teams:
More information
If you have concerns about security, data protection or privacy in Microsoft Teams, please contact IS Helpline
Hints and Tips
For helpful hints & tips about using Teams and discover new features, follow us on Twitter (@UoE_TeamsTips) and have a look at our previous #TeamsTips tweets:
An example of one of our #TeamsTips:
#TeamsTips For Teams meeting organisers - By default, all your invitees will be added as presenters (meaning they can share content and record). To set your invitees as attendees instead, follow our guidance under "Teams meetings FAQs
Get Started
Teams FAQs
New Features in Teams
Teams for Teaching
Teams Meetings
Breakout Rooms
Teams Webinars
Teams Live Events
Chat, Teams, Channels, Apps and Settings
Teams Meeting Recordings on SharePoint and OneDrive
Voice
Teams use cases
