How to create a team in Microsoft Teams

In this Microsoft Teams tutorial, we will see how to create a team in Microsoft Teams from scratch. We will see here also, what is a team and examples of Team in Microsoft Teams.

Here we will discuss in detail:

• How to create a team in Microsoft teams from scratch
• Create a team in Microsoft teams admin center
• How to create a team in Microsoft teams from existing SharePoint site
• Create a team in Microsoft teams with external users
• Create a team in Microsoft teams using PowerShell
• Create a team in Microsoft teams missing

Understanding a Team in MS Teams

Let us first understand what is a team in Microsoft teams.

what is a team in Microsoft teams? A Microsoft team allows a group of people to work closely and collaborate with each other to get things done. A team is a collection of people, content, and tools to work with together, etc.

We can create dynamic teams based on some projects or activities and also we can create teams based on your organization departments like HR, Finance, IT, etc. Even we can create teams based on locations. Here are a few examples:

• HR team
• Finance team
• IT team
• Logo Contest team
• Project-1 team
• Project-2 team, etc.

1. We can create private teams where only invited users can access content.
2. We can also create public teams that will be open and anyone in the organization can join. Microsoft allows adding up to 10,000 members to a team.

We can use Microsoft teams on the web, Desktop version or we can even use the Teams mobile app. If you are new to Microsoft Teams, check out, How to use Microsoft Teams (Step by Step Guide).

Create a team from scratch in Microsoft Teams

Now, let us see how to create a team from scratch in Microsoft Teams.

I would prefer you to use the desktop version of Microsoft Teams, but the Teams mobile app is equally good to use.

MS Teams Desktop:

Open Microsoft Teams desktop app, then click on the Teams tab -> Join or create a team like below:

This will open the Join or Create a team dialog box. If you have a code, then you can enter the code in the Join a team with a code.

To create a team from scratch, click on Create team button option like below:

This will open the Create a team dialog. Here we have 3 options to create a team.

• From scratch: Select this option if you want to create a team from scratch
• From a group or team: If you want to create a team from an existing Microsoft 365 group
• Select from a template: You can choose from a list of templates Microsoft provides to create a team from a template.

Here I choose from scratch.

Then it will ask you what kind of team will this be?

• Private: Choose this option if you want to create a private team. You need to invite users to join
• Public: Choose this option if you want to create a public team. In this case, anyone in your organization can join.
• Org-wide: Choose this option if you want everyone from your organization will automatically join.

Here I have chosen to create a Private team. Then it will ask you to provide a team name and a description. Then click on the Create button.

Since it is a private team it will allow you to add members to the team. Here you can provide an user and click on Add like below:

If you want to make the user Owner of the team, then you can change the role from Member to Owner like below:

Then click on the Close button. You can see the team got created and then you can start adding people, create more channels or even you can instantly start new conversation like below:

This is how to create a team in Microsoft Teams using the desktop app.

Note:

• When we create a team, by default a Microsoft 365 group will be created and it will have a group inbox, calendar, SharePoint site, and OneNote.
• At an organization level, you can turn off/on team creation.
• Microsoft allows us to create up to 250 teams per account simultaneously.

Teams Mobile App

Open Microsoft Teams in your mobile and then click on Teams -> … like below:

Then click on + Create new team option like below:

• Then provide a name for the team and optionally put a description for the team. Then select the Privacy, by default it will be Private like below:

The privacy will have below options to choose from:

• Private: Only team owners can add members.
• Public: Anyone in your organization can join the team.

Here choose Private.

• Then it will display options to Add members. You can see, two members added to the team in Microsoft teams. You can also set members are owners in Teams.

• Then click on the Save icon. The team will be created and you can see it in the Teams tab in the Microsoft Teams mobile app.

This is how to create a team in Microsoft Teams mobile app.

Create a team in Microsoft teams from existing group

Now, let us see, how to create a team in Microsoft Teams from an existing group.

Open Microsoft Teams desktop app, click on the Teams icon and then click on Join or create a team. Then click on Create a team button.

Then it will open the Create a team dialog box, here choose, From a group or team like below:

Then it will ask you to choose from an existing Team or you can choose Microsoft 365 group.

Then it will display all the existing Microsoft 365 group. Select a group and then click on Create.

Then it will take sometime to create the Team and you can see like below:

This is how to create a team in Microsoft teams from existing group.

Check out, Microsoft Teams Tips and Tricks

How to create a team from an existing team

We can also create a team from an existing team.

Click on Join or create a team. Then click on Create team button. Here choose the first option “Team existing Microsoft 365 group or team” like below:

Then it will display all the existing teams like below, here choose a team that you want to use to create the team in Microsoft Teams.

Once you select the team, you can see it will copy all the information from the existing team. Here, you can change the details like Team name, Description, Privacy.

Also, we will see, what you would like to include from the original team like Tabs, Team settings, Apps, Members, etc, and then click on Create.

This is how to create a team from an existing team in Microsoft Teams.

Create a team in Microsoft teams admin center

Now, let us see how to create a team in Microsoft teams admin center.

Open the Microsoft Teams admin center. Then click on Teams -> Manage teams.

It will display all the Teams in Microsoft teams. Here click on the + Add button like below:

This will open the Add a new team panel where you can provide the below details:

• Name
• Description
• Team Owners
• Privacy

Then click on the Apply button which will create the team.

In the Manage Teams you can see the newly created team in the Microsoft Teams.

Also, the team will appear in the Microsoft teams desktop app, mobile app as well as if you open team in the browser.

This is how to create a team from the Microsoft teams admin center.

Create a team in Microsoft teams from an existing SharePoint site

Now, let us see how to create a team in Microsoft Teams from an existing SharePoint site.

Open your existing SharePoint Online team site, then click on Add real-time chat.

Then click on Continue.

Then it will show if you want to pin resources as tabs in Teams like you can select Lists, Pages, or document libraries. Then click on Add Teams.

The team will appear in the Microsoft Teams desktop or mobile app.

This is how to create a team from an existing SharePoint Online site in Microsoft Teams.

Create a team in Microsoft teams using PowerShell

Now, let us see how to create a team in Microsoft Teams using PowerShell. It is easy to create a team in Microsoft Teams using PowerShell.

If you have not installed Microsoft PowerShell for Teams, run the below cmdlet.

Install-Module -Name MicrosoftTeams -Force

PowerShell provides, New-Team to create a team in Microsoft Team using PowerShell.

Here, we will see how to create a team, add members and create a channel using PowerShell.

First, we need to connect to Microsoft Teams using the below PowerShell cmdelts.

Import-Module MicrosoftTeams
$credential = Get-Credential
Connect-MicrosoftTeams -Credential $credential

Below are two very simple PowerShell to create a team in Microsoft Teams.

New-Team -DisplayName "Development Team"

Here other parameters it will take as the default parameter.

New-Team -DisplayName "Testing Team" -Description "This is team for testing people" -Visibility Private

Here it tool parameters like Display Name, Description and Visibility like Private or Public.

I have used here PowerShell ISE to run the commands. Once you will complete the execution you can see it will display details like below:

You can also see the team will appear in the Microsoft Teams desktop or mobile app.

This is how to create a team in Microsoft Teams using PowerShell.

If you want to create a team, add users, and create channel, then run the below PowerShell script.

$group = New-Team -MailNickname "HRTeam" -displayname "HR Team" -Visibility "private"
Add-TeamUser -GroupId $group.GroupId -User "bhawana@tsinfotechnologies.onmicrosoft.com"
Add-TeamUser -GroupId $group.GroupId -User "sonam@tsinfotechnologies.onmicrosoft.com"
New-TeamChannel -GroupId $group.GroupId -DisplayName "SharePoint Development"
New-TeamChannel -GroupId $group.GroupId -DisplayName "Python Development"

This is how we can use PowerShell to create a team in Microsoft Teams.

Create a team in Microsoft teams with external users

Now, let us see how to create a team in Microsoft Teams with external users.

Click on Join or create a team -> Create a team. Then in the Create a team dialog box, click on From scratch.

Then in the What kind of team will this be? Choose Private.

Then provide a Name and Description for the team. And then click on Create.

Then it will add members to team for guests. Here, provide the guest user’s email address and select Add user as a guest.

Once you add the guest user, you can see the user and the option will come as (Guest).

You can see the team created in the Microsoft Teams desktop app.

Anytime you can also add guest users to a team. Select the Team -> Add member and then you can choose your guest user email id.

This is how to create a team in Microsoft teams with external users.

Create a team in Microsoft teams missing

If you can’t create a team in Microsoft teams or Create a team in Microsoft teams missing for a particular user, then you can check out the below things:

The first thing, you need to check is the user’s license. They should have a license enabled for Microsoft Teams.

You can check it from the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Log in to the Microsoft 365 admin center. Then click on Users -> Active users then select a user and check the license.

Another thing you need to check is related to Microsoft 365 groups. By default, all users will be able to create a team or a Microsoft 365 group.

But if your IT team puts any restriction on creating Microsoft 365 groups, then users will not be able to create a team in Microsoft Teams. You can get more information.

Create a team from Template in Microsoft Teams

This is another way that helps to create a new team from the templates that are available in the Microsoft Teams.

• By using a team template, we can easily get some prearranged apps, tabs, channels, etc. in the new team.
• Currently, the GCC (Government Cloud Community) is not bearing up to create a team from a template.
• If you are unable to create a team in Microsoft teams or if you want to disable the team creation, then inspect with your admin. Maybe your organization has restricted you to create the teams.
• In Microsoft Teams, there are many types of templates available like Organize Help Desk, Manage a Project, Onboard Employees, Adopt Office 365, Incident Response, etc.

Follow the below steps to create a team from a template:

Step – 1:

This is the same step as above. Go to the Teams option (from the left navigation) -> Tap on Join or create a team (from the bottom section) -> Select and click the Create team button under the Create a team section as shown below.

Step – 2:

Scroll and click on any of the templates (under Select from a template section) that you want to create for your new team. For example, we can select the Manage a Project template.

Step – 3:

Next, you can see all the channels (4 channels) and apps (9 apps) that are present under the general project management template. If you do not want, then you can change these channels later. Click on the Next button.

Step – 4:

In the same way, you need to choose what kind of team you want to create. There is a total of two types of teams kinds Private and Public. Select any of them (let’s say Private).

Step – 5:

On the quick details information page, provide the Team name (Required) and Description (Optional). You may also change or customize channels by expanding them where every team has a General channel and it can’t be renamed.

Tap on the Create button to create a new Private Project team.

A spinner window will appear where it displays that “Feel free to close this window and go do other things. We’ll let you know when it’s ready“. If you need it, then tap on the Close button.

Step – 6:

After a while, the new site will be ready to use. The next thing it will ask you to add the members to the new team.

Enter the user name, distribution list, or any security group to add to the team. Also, you can provide the email addresses of any guest or external user whom you want to add to the team. Click on Add.

In case, you want to add the members later, then tap on the Skip button.

The above steps explain how to create a team from a Template in Microsoft Teams.

Who can create teams in Microsoft teams

Before creating a new team in the Microsoft Teams, a question that may occur to your mind is, can I have the full permission to create a team?

• Coming to the answer to the above question, those who are present in the Microsoft 365 tenant, such users can create a new team or a new Office 365 Group.
• In case, if you are not available in the tenant, or if you can not able to see the Create a new team option, then you need to check with your IT Administrator to enable and provide the necessary permissions through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. So that you can elect to create a new team in Microsoft Teams.
• If you are an Admin, then you have full permission to create and manage the teams. Also, you can manage the apps, channels, settings, etc. in the Microsoft Teams Admin center. An admin can specify the teams’ privacy as Private, Public, or Org-wide.
• Oversight, an external user or a guest user can not create a new team in tenants. They can create their own team.

What happens when you create a team in Microsoft teams

Whenever a user creates a new team in the Microsoft Teams, along with the team, the user will get such below things:

1. A new Microsoft 365 Group
2. A Shared Outlook Mailbox and a Group calendar
3. A SharePoint Online Site with Document library
4. A OneNote Notebook
5. Some Microsoft Office 365 Apps such as Power BI, Power Automate, Wiki, Planner, etc.

If you are unable to create a new team in the Microsoft Teams, then you can check with your organization’s IT Admin. Because the Admin only can decide or restrict those who can create a team or not in teams.

Create a team in Microsoft teams on mac

These are the below steps to create a new team in Microsoft Teams on mac:

1. At first, by taping on the Launchpad or by using the Apple Spotlight, open the Microsoft Teams Application. You can see your Mactoolbar on the top right corner,
2. Select the Teams option from the left nav and then move down the screen to the Join or Create a team option.
3. Click on the Create a Team button under the Join or Create a team section.
4. To create a new brand team in mac, select Create a Team from Scratch.
5. Next, you need to choose whether you want to make the new team Private or Public. Select Private as of now.
6. On the next page, Provide a New Name and a Description of the new team.
7. Then, add the users or members that you want to add to your new team. Enter the member name(s) in the search box and then tap on the Add button. Now the new team is ready to use in Microsoft teams for mac.
8. To view your new team, go to the left navigation and under the Teams section, you can see all your created teams.
9. Click on your Team and select General. You can communicate with the team by using the New Conversation at the bottom of the page.
10. Now you can chat, share files, call, etc. with your team members or any individual member.
11. Once you will type the “@” symbol on the message or chat box, then you can follow the specific member followed by his name.
12. Once you type the message in the message box, enter or tap on the small right arrow symbol button(>) to send the message to others. Then the particular user or member will get the notification message over their Desktop, Phone, or Tablet.

Create a team in Microsoft teams code

• Microsoft Teams Team code is a special code that a user can create a team by using it. Each Microsoft Team has its individual code that can be generated by a user easily.
• Once the team code is generated, you can easily share the code with other members to join the team directly and there will be no approval needed.
• If you do not have any team code, then first, you need to generate the team code in Microsoft Teams and later you can use that code to create a new team.
• A Team Admin or a Team Owner can generate the team code in Microsoft Teams. Any external or guest users won’t be able to join with a team code.

Generate Microsoft Teams Code

To get a team code in Microsoft Teams, refer to the steps:

1. On the Microsoft Teams page, go to the Teams section (from the left pane) -> Select any team under the Teams section and click on ellipses (…) -> Select Manage team as like below.

2. Go to Settings (from the top command bar) -> Expand the Team code -> Tap on the Generate button.

3. Now the Team code will generate with a unique code like “f7en23j“. Copy the code using the Copy button and then you can share the code with other members to add to the team. Also, if you want to reset or delete the code, then you can use the Reset and Remove button.

Use Team Code In Microsoft Teams

• Once the team code is ready, you can share it with other users via any Email, or any other chat application.
• To use the team code in Microsoft teams, follow the below steps:
  • On the Microsoft Teams page, go to Teams (from the left side pane) -> Click on Join or create a team from the bottom section -> Select Join a team with a code -> Enter the Team code within the text box -> Tap on the Join team button.

This whole above scenario explains how to get or generate the team code and join the team using the team’s code in Microsoft Teams.

You may like the following Teams tutorials:

• How to add PowerApps app to Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft teams settings + Turn on New Meeting Experience
• How to invite guest or external users to Microsoft Teams Meetings
• How to leave an organization as a guest user in Microsoft Teams
• How to create a group in Microsoft teams
• Add new meeting and live event polices in Microsoft Teams
• How to join Microsoft teams meeting anonymously

In this Microsoft Teams tutorial, we learned how to create a team in Microsoft teams.

• How to create a team in Microsoft teams from scratch
• Create a team in Microsoft teams admin center
• How to create a team in Microsoft teams from an existing SharePoint site
• Create a team in Microsoft teams with external users
• Create a team in Microsoft teams using PowerShell
• Create a team in Microsoft teams missing