How to Use Microsoft Teams: Quick Beginner's Guide

By SoftwareKeep Digital Editorial Team · September 24, 2026 · 4 min read

Microsoft Teams combines chat, video meetings, and file sharing in one app. Here are the basics you need to get going fast.

1. Get started

Open Teams in your browser, or install the desktop or mobile app, then sign in with your work, school, or Microsoft account. Teams comes with most Microsoft 365 plans, and a free version is also available. Use the left sidebar to move between Activity, Chat, Teams, Calendar, and Files.

2. Send chats

1. Select Chat, then New chat.
2. Enter one or more names in the To field.
3. Type your message and press Enter.

Type @ and a name to mention someone, or use the paperclip to attach a file.

3. Use teams and channels

A team is a group such as a department or project. Channels are topic spaces inside it. Choose Teams, then Join or create a team, and post in a channel when the whole group should see it. Keep quick side talk in chats.

4. Join and host meetings

To join, select the link in your invite or open Calendar and choose Join. Check your camera and microphone, then select Join now. To host, choose Calendar, then New meeting, add attendees and a time, and save. In a meeting you can mute, share your screen, raise your hand, and use chat.

5. Share and edit files

Attach files in any chat or channel. Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files right inside Teams, and several people can edit the same file at once, so you avoid emailing versions back and forth.

6. Handy shortcuts

On a Mac, use Cmd instead of Ctrl.

Quick fixes

• No sound or camera: check Settings, then Devices, and pick the right microphone and camera.
• Teams acting slow: restart the app and install pending updates.