In this module, we will explore the functionalities of chats and calls in Microsoft Teams. Effective communication is crucial for remote and distributed teams, and Microsoft Teams offers robust features to facilitate this. By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Understand the basics of chat functionalities.
• Initiate and manage one-on-one and group chats.
• Make audio and video calls.
• Utilize advanced calling features.

To start a chat in Microsoft Teams:

1. Click on the Chat icon on the left sidebar.
2. Click on the New Chat button (pencil icon) at the top of the chat list.
3. Enter the name, email, or phone number of the person you want to chat with.
4. Type your message in the message box and press Enter to send.

To start a group chat:

1. Follow steps 1 and 2 from starting a chat.
2. Click on the Add Group Name button to name your group.
3. Enter the names or emails of the participants.
4. Type your message and press Enter to send.

• Formatting: Use the formatting toolbar below the message box to format your text (bold, italics, underline, etc.).
• Attachments: Click on the paperclip icon to attach files.
• Emojis, GIFs, and Stickers: Use the emoji, GIF, and sticker icons to add fun elements to your messages.
• Mentions: Use the @ symbol to mention someone in the chat.

To make a call in Microsoft Teams:

1. Click on the Calls icon on the left sidebar.
2. Click on the Make a Call button.
3. Enter the name, email, or phone number of the person you want to call.
4. Click on the Call button.

• Audio Calls: Click on the phone icon to make an audio call.
• Video Calls: Click on the video camera icon to make a video call.

• Mute/Unmute: Click on the microphone icon to mute or unmute yourself.
• Turn Video On/Off: Click on the video camera icon to turn your video on or off.
• Share Screen: Click on the screen sharing icon to share your screen.
• Add Participants: Click on the participants icon to add more people to the call.

• Call Forwarding: Go to Settings > Calls > Call Forwarding to set up call forwarding.
• Voicemail: Go to Settings > Calls > Voicemail to configure your voicemail settings.

• Call Queues: Used to manage incoming calls by placing them in a queue until someone is available to answer.
• Auto Attendants: Automated systems that answer calls and provide options to route the call to the appropriate department or person.

1. Open Microsoft Teams and start a new chat with a colleague.
2. Send a message, attach a file, and use an emoji.

1. Start a new group chat with at least two colleagues.
2. Name the group and send a message.

1. Make a video call to a colleague.
2. During the call, mute and unmute yourself, and share your screen.

1. Go to the call settings and set up call forwarding to another number or colleague.

• Not Muting During Calls: Always mute yourself when not speaking to avoid background noise.
• Forgetting to End Calls: Ensure you properly end calls to avoid accidental eavesdropping.
• Overusing Mentions: Use mentions sparingly to avoid overwhelming colleagues with notifications.

• Use Status Indicators: Set your status to indicate your availability.
• Regularly Check Voicemail: Ensure you regularly check and respond to voicemails.
• Practice Good Etiquette: Be concise and clear in your messages and calls.

In this module, we covered the essential features of chats and calls in Microsoft Teams. You learned how to start one-on-one and group chats, make audio and video calls, and use advanced calling features. By practicing these skills, you can enhance communication and collaboration within your team. Next, we will explore integrations and applications in Microsoft Teams to further boost productivity.