New Teams Chat and Channels Experience

Microsoft will soon release an update to Teams that introduces a new layout of Chat and Channels.

This update will provide a new way to organize your chat and channel conversations. You will be able to stay up-to-date without needing to switch between the Chat and Channel areas, so that you can work more efficiently. You will also have the option to switch back to the 'classic' Chat and Channel layout if you prefer through the Settings.

A quick summary of the changes is linked below. These Microsoft links will provide much more robust information about the coming changes.

• Microsoft Support - New Chat and Channels Experience
• Microsoft Adoption Blog - New Chat and Channels Experience

What's Changed? Chat and Channels are Now Combined

The Teams button on the left navigation bar is removed, and within the Chat icon, you will be able to access Chats, Channel conversations, and Meeting chats.

More Options: Favorite and Custom Folders

Users can now organize chats with individuals and channel conversations into favorites or custom-created folders.

In the example below, the user created a custom folder ("Project 1") to organize a chat with an individual, as well as a channel conversation from within a team. The remainder of the chats and channels that the user has access to will remain in their respective sections unless they move them into Favorites or a custom folder.

How do I move a chat or channel?

You can click on the 3-dot ellipsis to the right of a chat or channel and select Move to for the options to place it in Favorites or a custom folder. Select Remove from section to reorganize and place it elsewhere.

New Option for Channel Conversations: Threads Layout

When creating a channel inside a team, there will now be two options for layout design:

1. The standard post-reply channel layout
2. The new threads layout

The threads layout allows you to converse in the channel with an interface that looks and feels more like a group chat. In this layout, clicking into a channel thread will open a panel on the right side of the screen that highlights a more back-and-forth chat-like experience. Any conversation made in that side panel will then make its way into the main panel on the screen.

Give it a try and see which one you prefer!

Microsoft Support - Threaded Layout

Microsoft Support - Threaded Layout Best Practices and FAQs