How to Use Teams to Collaborate on Projects
Collaboration, creativity, and communication may be more challenging with remote teams. However, Microsoft Teams enables real-time file sharing and connection that can easily replicate the feeling of being together in person.
In addition to whiteboard functionality, Microsoft Teams allows users to share files in real-time and work together to co-author a shared Word file or design a PowerPoint presentation.
Once a file is in Teams (step-by-step walkthrough below), multiple users can open the file simultaneously and work together to edit the Microsoft Office file directly from Teams. A different color cursor will represent each user, and once finished, all changes merge within the file. The changes and file versions will be tracked and accessible through Teams and your organization’s SharePoint.
To upload an existing document to Teams:
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Select the Team you want to work with on the lefthand side of the Teams app.
- Navigate to Files from the top menu:
- Click Upload and select the file you want to collaborate with your colleagues. Navigate to the file in Document Explorer and choose Open.
Alternatively, drag and drop the file from the Document Explorer into the File window of Teams
- Open the document within the Files tab of Teams to start working.
Creating a file:
- Open Teams.
- Select the Team you want to work with on the lefthand side of the Teams app.
- Navigate to Files from the top menu:
- Click the New Button and select the type of file you want to create.
- Enter a name for the document and click Create.
- The document will open inside the Teams window.
Working Solo:
Teams lock feature enables a “review only” mode for file sharing within Teams. As a result, others will not be able to edit the file while you are working solo.
- Right-click the file -> Select More -> and then Check Out
- Use the same process to check the file back in
