Microsoft Teams has become an essential business tool. However, most people don’t take full advantage of the platform. There are many Microsoft Teams shortcuts that can help make meetings more productive.

If Microsoft Teams is your main video conferencing tool, these are some shortcuts that might interest you.

Why Use Microsoft Teams Shortcuts?

In one sentence, Microsoft Teams shortcuts help you work smarter without compromising the quality of your tasks. Losing time in a meeting to look for a specific feature makes meetings longer than necessary, causes attendants to unengage, and makes the call unproductive.

Microsoft Teams shortcuts also enhance clear and timely communication among team members which could improve the teamwork and largely enhance positive outcomes.

These shortcuts are also great for users who might have mobility or vision restrictions that prevent them from using the computer effectively. For this set of people, the shortcuts come in handy as it helps them get their tasks done without depending on others or having to work at a slower pace.

Best Microsoft Teams Shortcuts

Now let’s look at some of the most useful Microsoft Teams shortcuts you can start using today.

1. Ctrl+E – Navigate To Search

This is the best shortcut to think about if you are in the middle of a task, and exiting the page or grabbing the mouse could cause a break in your flow. You can use the Ctrl+E shortcut to access the search at the top of the Microsoft interface within split seconds.

2. Ctrl+F – Search Messages Within Chats Or Channels

Using the Ctrl+F shortcut, you can quickly search for relevant keywords in the chat or channels. If the keyword is somewhere in there, all instances will get highlighted for easy access. With this shortcut, users can save time that would otherwise be used for endless scrolling.

It will also quickly refresh your memory on a topic you remember discussing.

3. Ctrl+Equals Sign (=) – Zoom In

Many times, when a person shares their screen it’s difficult to see clearly. No need to squint your eyes. Just use the Ctrl + = (the equal to sign) to zoom in. This way you can see exactly what you’re supposed to see. Then, if you want to zoom out again, just use the shortcut Ctrl+Minus sign (-). Alternatively, to reset your screen zoom level, use the command Ctrl+0.

4. Ctrl+Period (.) – Access Keyboard Shortcuts

This shortcut will enable users to access an extensive list of available keyboard shortcuts. So, after you read this guide, if you can’t remember a shortcut, simply use this command to get a list right in Microsoft Teams. If you have to remember one shortcut, it should be this one.

5. Ctrl+Slash (/) – Display Commands

The slash key gives you access to custom commands. For example, /calendar would let you view your calendar and schedule a meeting. Or /online could change your status to online without doing anything else.

The Ctrl+Slash (/) shortcut basically allows you to see a list of all these slash commands available to you. Then, you just have to click the one you want to use.

6. Ctrl+Alt+U – Access Activity Feed

Users of this Microsoft Teams shortcut can stay on top of work progress, new announcements, and even collaborate. This shortcut allows users to check all recent activities, such as unread messages, post replies, etc.

7. Ctrl+Shift+M – Toggle Mute

Another Microsoft Teams shortcut that is very useful is the Ctrl+Shift+M. This quickly activates mute. One instance this shortcut can be helpful is when someone in person is telling you something and you need to respond or don’t want the call to be interrupted.

8. Alt+Shift+A – Initiate Audio Calls

With this Microsoft Teams shortcut, users can effectively initiate audio calls with participants. And instead of an audio call, the A can be substituted with V to initiate video calls.

9. Ctrl+Shift+Space – Access Sharing Toolbar

The capacity for spontaneous idea-sharing is an integral part of collaboration when working on Microsoft Teams. Ctrl+Shift+Space is a shortcut that helps to move quickly to the Microsoft Teams sharing toolbar during calls for effective screen sharing and active brainstorming sessions.

10. Ctrl+Shift+P – Blur Background

When having a conversion via video call, pressing the Ctrl+Shift+P will automatically blur every distracting item in the background, like a cluttered shelf or table. If there is too much movement behind you and you don’t want to distract your call members, this quick shortcut is a lifesaver. Especially because blurring the background through the interface can take some time.

11. Alt+Shift+O – Attach Files

Users can make file sharing easier by using the Alt+Shift+O shortcut. In a matter of seconds, documents from Microsoft OneDrive or local storage can be attached for effective communication.

12. Shift+Enter – Create New Line

With this shortcut, message formatting can be improved by creating new lines. Rather than immediately sending the message as you would if you were to press Enter alone, it will move the cursor to a new line within the message. This is helpful for crafting longer messages.

13. Ctrl+Shift+D – Reject Call

This shortcut helps to decline unwanted calls and allows users to concentrate better during intense work sessions. You can also use it to avoid a disruptive misclick that accepts the call.

14. Ctrl+Comma (,) – Access Settings

Accessing your settings is easier with this shortcut than looking for the little icon that takes you there. Quickly adjust any setting with this combination.

15. F1 – Open Help

If you need help with a task, you can simply press the F1 button to open up the Help center. Here you can type in your issue to find resolutions.

Benefits Of Learning Microsoft Teams Shortcuts

Here’s an overview of the main benefits of Microsoft Teams shortcuts.

Time-Saving

It might not seem like much time is saved. Until you use the shortcuts. Then you will understand how manually doing these little tasks disrupts and wastes time unnecessarily.

With Microsoft Teams shortcuts, you can now get things done faster.

Increased Efficiency

Shortcuts on Microsoft Teams are designed to promote efficiency. If you can enable a feature in less time, you are being more efficient. These tasks include chat facilitation, team management, file sharing, and navigation, among others.

Improved Productivity

When you use the Microsoft Teams shortcuts, you turn around time, and you will be able to complete more assignments and tasks in less time.

Plus, meetings become more productive since you can take full advantage of the platform by quickly accessing features you might not have used before.

More Accessibility

Shortcuts make the interface more accessible to all users. Instead of looking for a button hidden in the settings, you can just press the buttons. Easy access to all features is key in remote collaboration environments.

FAQs

Let's answer some frequently asked questions about this topic.

What Are Microsoft Teams Shortcuts?

Microsoft Teams shortcuts are important combinations or commands that enable users to carry out different tasks efficiently within the Microsoft Teams application. Instead of enabling a feature by clicking a button in the interface, the user simply presses a combination of keys on their keyboard.

What Tasks Can Be Performed Using Microsoft Teams Shortcuts?

You can use Microsoft Teams Shortcuts for a lot of tasks, including opening settings, searching for key information, initiating calls, managing conversations, blurring the background, toggling mute, etc.

Are There Shortcuts For Navigation In Microsoft Teams?

Yes! They can be used for navigation, but their functionalities go far beyond. For example, users can combine keys such as Ctrl+9 to open the 9th app on the app bar and Ctrl+L to ensure focus moves to the left rail item.

Where Can I Find Microsoft Teams’s Keyboard Shortcuts?

Getting the Microsoft Teams shortcuts is quite easy and straightforward. This includes the desktop and the web app version.

To get them, be sure to click on the “..." (that's where you find Settings and more). This button is located in the top right corner of your Microsoft Teams interfaces.

Next, you select "keyboard shortcuts". Once you have clicked on the "..." button, a menu will appear. And once it does, select the option labeled "Keyboard shortcuts".

You will then be presented with a comprehensive list of shortcuts that have already been explained above. Or just use the shortcut Ctrl+Period (.).

Can I Use Commands In Microsoft Teams?

Yes! All users can use the commands in Microsoft Teams. You can see all of these slash commands by using the shortcut Ctrl+Slash (/). Then, just click on the command you want to use.

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