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Microsoft Teams: The Apps Bar

Meet the Apps Bar

Get around the different parts of teams by using the Apps Bar to navigate. Let's take a closer look at each one.

 

 

Screenshot of part of the Microsoft Teams Window. It shows a vertical menu of labelled icons: (from top to bottom) Activity, Chat, Teams, Assignments, Calendar, Calls, Files. Below Files is an icon of 3 dots annotated, "Click here to see apps not shown." 3 more icons are at the bottom of the list: Apps, Help, and an icon of a smartphone annotated with, "Toggle between desktop and mobile views."

 

Available Apps

Bell icon with the word "Activity" below it.Activity

The Activity app shows every action that occurs in your different teams or groups. If your name is tagged in anything, the notification bubble on the Activity icon will show you how many new tags you have.

Click on a notification in your Feed to open the activity shown in the panel to the right. You can also filter your notifications by activity type.

Icon of a voice bubble with the word "Chat" underneathChat

Chat allows you to send and receive messages with individuals or in groups. While using this app, you can select "Recent" to see recent chats. You select "Contacts" to see and select people you want to chat with. A contact's icon will show their availability. Please note: When using Chat, you will see chats and contacts from all of your teams, not just the one you are currently using.

Icon of three people with the word "Teams" below.Teams

Teams is where the bulk of the activity happens. Here you see and select teams you are a member of. Once you click on the team you want to access you will see that team's content panel with the available Channels, which are like discussion forums, containing posts and replies. You can also include attachments, pictures, and links, or hold video meetings, which you can record and post in the channel.

Screen capture of the top of the Microsoft Teams window shows the label "Project 1" and several tabs: (from left to right) Posts, Files, Library Website, and +.

At the top of the panel, you have various tabs, such as Posts and Files, to toggle between different kinds of content. Other tabs may also appear. Click the plus sign to add a new tab.

Icon of a backpack with the word "Assignments" below.Assignments

Assignments are only used in Class-type Teams, and must be set by a teacher.

Icon of a calendar page with the word "Calendar" below.Calendar

Start, schedule, view and attend meetings and live events.

Icon of a telephone with the word "Calls" below.Calls

In the Calls app, you can make and receive 1-to-1 voice or video calls by clicking on the camera or phone icons next to your contacts. Add names to Speed Dial for the people you communicate most often. Use the Contacts tab to search and browse through all available contacts. History shows calls you've made before. And you can access your messages by using the Voicemail tab.

Icon of a document with the word "Files" below.Files

The Files app allows you to see the files you have access to in Microsoft Teams and on your computer. You can view these by the most recent files accessed, or by source, including any linked cloud storage options.  Microsoft OneDrive is linked to  your Teams account by default, but you can link to your other cloud storage accounts, such as Google Drive and Dropbox, by clicking on the "Add cloud storage" button at the bottom of the Files pane.

 

A capture of part of the Microsoft Teams. The "Add cloud storage" button is highlighted.

Need help?  Contact the VGCC Library.