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Here are some of the best Microsoft Teams shortcuts that every user should know. Microsoft Teams is one of the most well-known tools for working together. Teams has been around for a while, like other software solutions, but it has only recently become popular because of the pandemic, which shut down businesses and sent everyone home to work from home.
If MS Teams is one of the tools you use often, you might want to learn some shortcuts that can save you a lot of time and effort. Shortcuts are helpful because they help you work smarter, not harder. They also make it easier to do things and give people who need it access. Shortcuts in Microsoft Teams are tools that let you get to the platform’s features, functions, or workflows more quickly.
At the moment, shortcuts for Teams are only available in the desktop client and the Teams web app. But, contrary to what some people think, keyboard shortcuts aren’t the only way to use shortcuts. Microsoft Teams shortcuts, in particular, can be used to do a lot more than that. you can download this app from its website.
Importance of Best Microsoft Teams Shortcuts
Using the best keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Teams can make you much more productive and efficient when working with your team, having meetings, and managing your communication. Here’s why it’s important to know these shortcuts:
- Meeting Management: It’s easy to set up, join, and run meetings with shortcuts. You can quickly turn your microphone on or off, turn your camera on or off, and change the settings for your presentation.
- Formatting a message: Shortcuts on your keyboard help you do things like use bold, underlines, lists, and links in your messages. This makes your message clearer and more appealing to look at.
- Getting to and sending messages faster: Using shortcuts to get to and send messages makes sure that your contact stays smooth and uninterrupted.
Best Microsoft Teams Shortcuts
Be sure to keep an eye out for any updates or additions that may be made to the keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Teams. It’s possible that new features will come with new shortcuts that will make your experience even better. During video conferences and meetings, make use of shortcuts that are connected to meetings. Your meetings can run more smoothly if you are able to quickly mute and unmute attendees, share your screen, and navigate between participants.
General Shortcuts:
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | Start a new chat or conversation |
| Ctrl + Shift + M | Toggle mute |
| Ctrl + Shift + O | Toggle video |
| Ctrl + F | Search within Teams |
| Ctrl + E | Go to the search bar |
| Ctrl + . | Open the command box |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Switch between calls, chats, and meetings |
| Ctrl + , | Open settings |
| Esc | Close the current menu or dialog box |
| Ctrl + Alt + 1 | Go to Activity feed |
Messaging and Conversations
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | Start a new chat |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Start a new chat in a separate window |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Open your most recent chat |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Mark as unread |
| Alt + Shift + 1 | Go to the next section or item |
| Alt + Shift + 2 | Go to the previous section or item |
| Enter | Send a message |
| Shift + Enter | Start a new line in a message |
Chat Shortcuts:
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + K | Open the search box |
| Ctrl + Shift + A | Attach a file or media |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Start a new chat |
| Ctrl + Shift + R | Reply to a thread |
| Ctrl + Enter | Send the message |
| Ctrl + Backspace | Delete the previous word |
| Alt + Up Arrow | Edit the previous message |
| Alt + Down Arrow | Edit the next message |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Show all unread messages |
| Ctrl + Shift + F | Go to the next search result |
Formatting and Editing
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + B | Bold selected text |
| Ctrl + I | Italicize selected text |
| Ctrl + U | Underline selected text |
| Ctrl + Shift + X | Strikethrough selected text |
| Ctrl + Shift + > | Increase text size |
| Ctrl + Shift + < | Decrease text size |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Copy formatting |
| Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste formatting |
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + 1 | Go to Activity feed |
| Ctrl + 2 | Go to Chat |
| Ctrl + 3 | Go to Teams |
| Ctrl + 4 | Go to Meetings |
| Ctrl + 5 | Go to Calls |
| Ctrl + 6 | Go to Files and SharePoint |
| Ctrl + Shift + Space | Expand or collapse the command list |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Start a new chat or conversation with a group |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Start a new channel conversation |
| Ctrl + Shift + B | Open the “Calls” tab |
| Ctrl + Shift + P | Open the “Files” tab |
Meetings and Calls
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | Schedule a meeting |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Start an unscheduled meeting |
| Ctrl + Shift + D | Decline an incoming call |
| Ctrl + Shift + A | Accept an incoming call |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Start an audio call |
| Ctrl + Shift + V | Start a video call |
Files and Attachments
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + O | Open files and attachments |
| Ctrl + S | Save files and attachments |
Accessibility
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + / | Show available keyboard shortcuts |
| Ctrl + Alt + 1 | Toggle High Contrast mode |
| Ctrl + Alt + 2 | Toggle Full Screen mode |
| Ctrl + Alt + 3 | Toggle Compact mode |
| Ctrl + Alt + 4 | Toggle Focus mode |
| Ctrl + Alt + 5 | Toggle Zoom mode |
How to Use Best Microsoft Teams Shortcuts Effectively?
Using Microsoft Teams tools well can make you much more productive and make it easier to communicate and work with others. Here’s how to use these tools to your advantage:
- Practice regularly: Use the tools regularly until they come naturally to you. Repetition is the best way to get faster and build muscle memory.
- Prioritize Common Tasks: Learn the methods for the things you do most often. For example, if you go to a lot of meetings, you should learn the techniques for turning your camera on and off, muting and unmuting your mic, and sharing your screen.
- Use Shortcuts for the Situation: Some shortcuts work better in certain situations. For example, when you’re in a meeting window, you can use shortcuts to manage meetings. When you’re in the chat tab, you can use shortcuts to manage chats.
Questions and Answers
A1: Microsoft Teams is a tool for working together that lets teams talk, chat, share files, and work on projects all in one place.
A2: Shortcuts in Microsoft Teams are important because they make it easier to move around the interface, do chores, and run meetings. They save you time and make you more productive on the site as a whole.
A3: As of my last fix in September 2021, keyboard shortcuts can’t be changed by default in Microsoft Teams. You’ll have to use the tools that come with the program.