Microsoft 365 Help / Staff guides
Teams Desktop App

Create polls, results and simple graphics

Ask a quick question, view responses and share an Excel chart.

About 12 minutes Follow at your own pace

Before you start

  • Polls must be allowed by your organisation.
  • Use simple non-sensitive practice questions while learning.

Choose the option that matches your screen or the task you want to do.

Create a quick poll in a chat or channel

0 of 7 steps done

  1. Choose the conversation

    Open the chat or channel whose members should answer. Check the participants before making the poll.

  2. Open the apps beside the message box

    Select Actions and apps beside the area where you type. Choose Polls. If missing, select Find more apps and search for Polls.

  3. Write one clear question

    For example, ask which day suits a planning session. Enter at least two answer choices. Turn on multiple selections only if people may choose more than one.

  4. Choose result settings

    Review the options for recording names and sharing summary results. Explain to respondents if you are collecting identifiable answers.

  5. Preview, then publish

    Select Preview and read the question and choices. Select Send when ready for everyone in that conversation to answer.

  6. View the answers

    The poll card shows a response summary. As the creator, open More on the card for the detailed results in Forms.

  7. Open results in Excel if needed

    From the results page, use Open results in Excel when available. Store the results in an appropriate work location and share only with people who should see them.

Prepare a poll for a meeting

0 of 4 steps done

  1. Open the scheduled meeting chat

    In Calendar, open the meeting and choose Chat with participants. You need suitable organiser or presenter permissions.

  2. Add Polls

    At the top of the chat, select + to add a tab, choose Polls, then add and save it. If the app is blocked, ask IT.

  3. Create a draft question

    Choose Create New Poll, add the question and choices, then save as a draft. A draft is not yet collecting votes.

  4. Launch at the right time

    Open the Polls tab or meeting Polls panel and select Launch. Attendees answer from the poll or meeting chat. Review results, then close the poll or export results using its menu.

Make a simple chart or graphic

0 of 4 steps done

  1. Prepare the figures in Excel

    Open a workbook in Excel for the web on your computer. Put category names in one column and numbers in the next, with a heading for each column.

  2. Create the chart

    Select the cells, including the headings. Use Insert and select a suitable chart, such as a column chart for comparing totals. Give it a clear title.

  3. Check the figures and save

    Make sure the chart represents the correct cells and units. Wait for the workbook to save to OneDrive or the team’s SharePoint folder.

  4. Share in Teams

    Return to the intended chat or channel and attach or share the workbook link with the right permissions. For a graphic or slide, create it in PowerPoint and share that file the same way.

You have finished when…

  • The poll is visible to the intended participants.
  • You can open its results or the shared chart.

Helpful tips

  • Teams is the place to share and discuss a chart; Excel or PowerPoint creates the graphic.
  • Advanced AI, analytics and some meeting features require extra licences. These steps use basic polling and Office files.

Something looks different?

Polls is missing

Your organisation may block the app or its installation. Ask IT; do not install an unrelated app with a similar name.

Someone cannot see a meeting poll

Ask them to check the meeting chat. Some external-attendee scenarios or company settings limit polls.

Microsoft help & further guidance

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