24 Microsoft Teams Chat Features You Probably Didn’t Know About
This blog was originally written in 2020 and updated in 2025 with current information.
There are many great productivity-boosting applications, but one of our favorites at enCloud9 is Microsoft Teams. We’ve found Teams to be an incredibly powerful collaboration hub that’s far more than just a chat app. In this blog, we’ll focus on Microsoft Teams Chat—and how it can help you work smarter every day.
Thanks to its tight integration with Microsoft 365 and hundreds of third-party apps, Microsoft Teams has become the go-to communication platform for organizations of all sizes. With over 300 million monthly active users, Teams continues to outpace its competitors.
24 Microsoft Teams Chat Features You Need to Know
Chat is at the center of everything you do in Teams. Whether you’re collaborating with teammates or coordinating with clients, these tips will help you get the most out of Microsoft Teams Chat.
1. Format the Text in Your Message
Click the formatting icon (A) below the message box to access bold, italic, underline, bullets, tables, and more. You can even add code snippets, block quotes, and headings to make your messages clearer. For more information, visit Microsoft’s Formatting a message in Microsoft Teams.
2. Set Delivery Options
Make your message stand out by tagging it as Important or Urgent. Urgent messages send repeat notifications for 20 minutes—perfect for high-priority communication. Click on the + button and select delivery options.
3. Attach a File or Picture
Easily send files from OneDrive, SharePoint, or your computer. Colleagues can preview, download, or collaborate on documents right in the chat. Click on the + button and choose attach file.
4. Add Some Fun with Emojis 😎
Choose from hundreds of emojis to add emotion or humor to your messages. They’re searchable and categorized for easy access. Simply, click on the emoji icon.
5. Send a Sticker or Create a Meme
Teams includes sticker packs and meme templates. Add a witty caption and send it off for a quick laugh or team motivation.
6. Schedule a Meeting
Use the calendar icon in your chat to quickly create a meeting. Teams Meetings include video, chat, file sharing, transcripts, and recaps—automatically.
7. Use Loop Components (New!)
Insert live tables, task lists, or checklists right into your chat using Microsoft Loop components. Everyone can edit in real time—perfect for fast collaboration.
8. Send Praise 🎉
Recognize team members with Praise badges. Click on the + button, select praise. From there, you can choose a badge, add a message, and send it in chat to boost morale.
9. React to Messages with Emojis
Hover over a message to react with thumbs up, heart, laugh, applause, or surprise. You can also click “More reactions” for additional options.
10. Chat with Yourself
Use self-chat to take notes, draft messages, or save important links. Just search your own name and start a private thread.
11. Use Multi-Window Chat
Pop out individual chats into separate windows to multitask more effectively. Just right-click a chat or click the “pop-out” icon.
12. Use Shortcuts
Time-saving keyboard shortcuts include:
- Ctrl+E to jump to search
- /saved to find saved messages
- Ctrl+N to start a new chat
- Ctrl+. for the full shortcuts list
13. Pin or Hide Chats
Pin important chats for quick access or hide inactive ones to keep your workspace tidy.
14. Edit or Delete a Message
Made a typo? No problem—hover over the message, click the ellipsis (…), and select Edit or Delete.
15. Mark as Unread or Save a Message
Click the ellipsis (…) on any message to mark it unread or save it for later. You can retrieve saved messages via /saved in the search bar.
16. Use Immersive Reader
Click Immersive Reader to hear messages read aloud or adjust text size, spacing, and colors for better accessibility. Just hover over a message, click on ellipses (…) and select immersive reader to have the message read to you.
17. Search Chat History
Use the search bar at the top to find messages by keyword, file type, or person. It’s fast, powerful, and helps you find what you need quickly.
18. Filter Your Activity Feed
Go to the Activity tab and filter by @mentions, unread messages, replies, missed calls, and more.
19. Chat with External Users
Teams supports external chat, allowing you to message clients or vendors outside your organization—securely.
20. Schedule Send (New!)
Need to send a message later? Use Schedule Send to choose a specific date and time for delivery. Just Compose your message, and click on the + button and choose Schedule message from the pop-up menu.
21. Translate Messages
Right-click a message in a different language and select Translate—Teams uses Microsoft Translator to convert it instantly.
22. Record and Send Voice Notes (New!)
On mobile and desktop, record quick audio messages right in chat—ideal for fast, hands-free communication.
23. Use the Mobile App
The Teams mobile app lets you chat, join meetings, send files, and even share your live location or images while on the go.
24. Use Copilot in Teams Chat (2025 Feature)
Ask Microsoft Copilot to summarize a chat, pull key takeaways, or even draft a reply. It’s an AI-powered assistant that keeps you productive. Learn more about AI collaboration in Microsoft Teams.
Wrapping Up…
So there you have it—24 powerful ways to use Microsoft Teams Chat to stay connected and productive. Whether you’re working from home or in the office, Teams makes collaboration easier than ever.
👉 Want to see more hidden features? Check out Microsoft’s “What’s New in Teams” page.
Work Better Together: The Collaboration Advantage of Teams
Microsoft Teams is built for collaboration. Whether you’re working across departments or across time zones, Teams brings conversations, files, meetings, and apps into a single shared workspace. This centralized approach reduces email clutter, keeps everyone aligned, and helps teams move projects forward faster. With real-time co-authoring, threaded chats, and seamless integration with Microsoft 365, Teams empowers your workforce to collaborate more efficiently—no matter where they are. For more about collaboration in Dynamics 365.
Expand Collaboration Beyond Teams with Dynamics 365
While Microsoft Teams is a powerful collaboration hub, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Another essential tool for improving teamwork and driving productivity is Dynamics 365. From shared customer data to connected workflows, Dynamics 365 helps teams stay aligned across sales, service, and marketing. 👉 Explore more collaboration tools like Dynamics 365 on our blog
At enCloud9, we’ve recently taken collaboration to the next level by implementing a smarter content management system within Dynamics 365. It’s helped us eliminate content silos, streamline communication, and keep our teams aligned—no matter where they’re working. Here’s our story: Eliminate Content Silos with a Custom Dynamics 365 Content Management System
Let the experts at enCloud9 help you boost productivity and break down silos with smarter collaboration tools in Dynamics 365.
👉 Contact us to explore your options
