Teams Desktop App

Create and name a group chat

Keep a small group’s messages together and add people carefully.

About 5 minutes Follow at your own pace

Before you start

Have the names of the colleagues who should be included.
A group chat is a conversation; it does not create a team or project document library.

0 of 8 steps done

Open Chat

Select Chat on the left. Click New message, the compose/pencil icon near the top of the chat list.
Add the first person

Type their name in To. Click the correct result, checking the work identity if several people have similar names.
Add the rest of the group

Continue typing and selecting each person. Read the participant list before writing your message.
Name the group

Open the down arrow beside the To field if shown and enter a Group name. Use something clear, such as Project planning. You can also name the chat from its header after sending the first message.
Explain the purpose

Type a short opening message saying what this chat is for. Select Send. The other members can now see it and reply.
Find the conversation again

It appears in your Chat list. Open its menu if you want to add it to Favourites or adjust notifications.
Add someone later if needed

At the top of the chat, open View and add participants and choose Add people. Select the person and carefully choose how much chat history they should see when this option appears.
Check file access separately

A new participant may not automatically have access to every previously shared file. Check the file’s sharing permissions before telling them it is available.

I cannot find the group-name field

Send the first message, then select the participant names or chat header and look for the edit/name option.

An external person will not add

External chat depends on both organisations’ settings. For a client appointment, use the external-meeting guide.

Menu names can change as Microsoft updates the apps. These official pages include further instructions.