Microsoft Teams is equipped with numerous features designed to enhance teamwork and streamline communication within organizations. One such powerful feature is the use of commands in the Command Bar, which can significantly boost your productivity.
The Command Bar, located at the top of the Teams interface, serves as a central hub for navigation and quick actions.
Commands act as shortcuts that allow you to perform common tasks efficiently. They enable you to execute actions that might typically require multiple clicks, all through simple text inputs. An advantage of using commands is their accessibility from any part of Teams, allowing seamless multitasking and navigation between chats, teams, and channels without extensive clicking.
The Command Bar not only facilitates quick actions but also supports multitasking, data queries, and integration with other apps, making it an indispensable tool for effective communication.
You can find the Command Bar at the very top of the Microsoft Teams application. It's the central search box where you enter commands and search queries.
To start using commands, click on the Command Bar or press Ctrl + E to focus on it instantly. Then, type a forward slash (/) to display a list of available commands.
/ to view the list of commands.Select a command from the list by navigating with the arrow keys and pressing Enter, or continue typing to find the command you need. For example, the /goto command allows you to jump directly to a specific team or channel.
/goto command to navigate directly to a team or channel.Below is a list of all the commands you can use in Microsoft Teams.
| Command | Function |
|---|---|
| /activity | View someone's activity. |
| /available | Set your status to available. |
| /away | Set your status to away. |
| /busy | Set your status to busy. |
| /call | Call a phone number or Teams contact. |
| /dnd | Set your status to do not disturb. |
| /files | View your recent files. |
| /goto | Navigate directly to a team or channel. |
| /help | Get help with using Teams. |
| /join | Join a team. |
| /keys | See keyboard shortcuts. |
| /mentions | View all your @mentions. |
| /org | View someone's organization chart. |
| /saved | Access your saved messages. |
| /testcall | Check your call quality. |
| /unread | See all your unread activity. |
| /whatsnew | Find out what's new in Teams. |
| /who | Ask Who a question about someone. |
| /wiki | Add a quick note to your Wiki. |
Besides the / commands, you can use @ commands to interact directly with apps or users. These commands allow you to send messages, access app features, or retrieve information without leaving the Command Bar. For instance, typing @Someone followed by your message lets you start a chat without navigating away from your current screen.
@ Commands available in Microsoft Teams.As you integrate more apps with Microsoft Teams, new commands may become available if those apps support command integration, further enhancing your workflow.
Note: While anyone can use commands in Microsoft Teams, some commands might be unavailable if your organization has disabled certain features. For example, if the Chat function is disabled by your administrator, you won't be able to use commands related to chatting.
The Command Bar is a versatile tool in Microsoft Teams that can greatly improve your efficiency. By mastering the use of / and @ commands, you can navigate Teams more effectively and perform tasks faster. Be sure to explore and familiarize yourself with these commands, as new ones are added regularly.
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