It's common to add a personal note to your WhatsApp profile to let your contacts know when you're busy or away. Why not do the same on a productivity app like Microsoft Teams, where you need it just as much?

The Microsoft Teams app allows you to add a custom note to let your contacts know when you've stepped away from your desk, or when you're in a meeting. It works similarly to an out-of-office email, although it's temporary. Here's how you can add a personal note to your Microsoft Teams profile.

Why Should You Add a Personal Note to Your Profile?

Microsoft Teams lets you add a personal note to your profile to let others know when you'll be temporarily unavailable. This helps you avoid receiving multiple calls and emails asking you why you're not answering your calls and messages on the app.

Personal notes are common on productivity apps. For instance, Zoom has an option to set a personal note to your chat profile. If you know how an out-of-office email message works, you'll have an idea of how a personal note works on a productivity app like Teams.

While an out-of-office message appears after your colleagues email you, your personal note remains on your profile for an allocated time. Anyone who visits your profile will see it, so they can reconsider texting or calling you if your note says you're away.

Not sure what to say in your out-of-office message? Read our guide to learn how to write a professional email reply.

How to Add a Personal Note to Your Profile in Microsoft Teams

It's easy to add a personal note to your profile. Open the Microsoft Teams app on your computer. Click on your Profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Now click on Set status message below your profile information.

Type your message in the field provided. You also have the option to set the amount of time you want the message to stay up—from one hour up to a week. Click on the drop-down Arrow next to Today and set the period.

When you're finished, click on the Done button in the bottom-right corner of the box. That's it; you've set a note in under five minutes. You can edit your note after posting it by following the same steps and clicking on the Pencil icon.

If you become available sooner than expected, you can delete the personal note on your profile. Just follow the same steps again, and click on the Trash icon next to the Pencil icon to remove it.

Customize Your Microsoft Teams Profile With a Personal Note

Take advantage of Microsoft Teams' features—let your colleagues know when you're unavailable to chat. Set a temporary personal note on your profile that gives them all the information they need to know in your absence.