How to Know New Features Released in MS Teams?

Microsoft Teams is a popular collaboration platform that is constantly being updated with new features. To stay up-to-date on the latest features and make the most of Teams, it’s important to know how to learn about new releases. Our blog talks about how to learn about the new features released in MS Teams.

Microsoft stated that as of 2023, MS Teams has over 300 million daily active users. The number of users actively using Teams is increasing rapidly, and user engagement is at an all-time high. The company also said that over one million organisations use Teams, and 91 of the Fortune 100 use the messaging platform. This popular collaboration application has many new features, and many users wonder how to discover the new features launched in MS Teams. In this article, you will learn how to know new features released in MS Teams so you can get the most out of your app.

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What is MS Teams?

MS Teams is a Microsoft product and an essential piece of the Microsoft 365 environment. The service is integrated with SharePoint, Outlook, Word, and other Microsoft programs. Teams is a natural choice if you already use Microsoft productivity products.  Microsoft Teams is fully integrated with all your favorite Microsoft 365 apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, SharePoint, and Outlook. 

Here are some of the ways you can know new features released in MS Teams and remain updated –

1. Use the /WhatsNew Command

With the /WhatsNew command, you can ensure you don’t miss anything crucial. Once you type /WhatsNew in the chat, Teams will take you to the release notes to see all the new features and how to use them. Alternatively, you can regularly check Microsoft’s “What’s New in Microsoft Teams” page, where they post new developments about the program as they arise. However, it is much easier while using the app.

To use the /WhatsNew command on Teams, follow these steps:

1. Open the Teams app.
2. Click in the command box at the top of the window.
3. Type /WhatsNew and press Enter.

A tab will open that shows you a list of all the new features released to Teams in the last 30 days. The list is organized by date; each feature includes a brief description and a link to more information.

You can also use the /WhatsNew command to open a specific new feature. To do this, type /WhatsNew followed by the feature’s name. For example, to open the new Notes tab in channels, you would type /WhatsNew Notes.

Here are some additional tips for using the /WhatsNew command:

• You can use the /WhatsNew command in any Teams channel or conversation.
• You can also use the /WhatsNew command in the Teams mobile app.
• If you are not seeing all of the new features in the /WhatsNew list, probably they have not yet been rolled out to your organization. You can contact your IT admin to learn more.

2. Follow the Microsoft Teams Blog. 

Microsoft publishes blog posts regularly to announce new features and updates to Teams. You can subscribe to the blog to receive notifications when recent posts are published. (https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-teams-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftTeamsBlog)

For example, I recently visited the Microsoft blog and found an interesting update. Did you know you can create up to 1,000 channels in a team?

Yes, earlier MS teams supported 200 channels, but now you can create up to 1,000 standard or shared channels in new and existing teams without running out of space or making another team for your workgroup. Private channel support is also coming soon.

3. Check the Teams Release Notes

The Teams Release Notes is a comprehensive documentation of all the new features and updates released to Teams. You can check the Release Notes regularly to see what’s new.

These Release Notes are organized based on month and release date. They include detailed descriptions of all the new features and updates and links to additional documentation and support resources.

Here are some of the benefits of checking the Teams Release Notes regularly:

• Learn about new features and updates just after their release.
• Get information about new features and updates, including how to use them and their benefits.
• Identify new features and updates relevant to your work or studies.
• Learn about potential issues with new features and updates and how to avoid them.
• Stay informed about the overall direction of Teams development.

4. Join the Microsoft Teams Community

Consider joining the Microsoft Teams community to explore the new features of Teams, get help with problems, and stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments.

The Microsoft Teams community is very active, and users are quick to share information about new features and updates. The users are also very prompt at sharing new tips and tricks that can be useful for you.

The Teams community is active on X (previously Twitter), LinkedIn, and Facebook.

We hope this blog helped you to understand how to know new features released in MS Teams.

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