As more people work remotely than ever before, tech companies are enhancing their online productivity suites to provide a seamless user experience.

As part of the same effort, Microsoft has added new search and meeting features to Teams. Let's find out how you can work more efficiently with these new features.

1. Create Tasks From Teams Message

Received a new assignment from your boss? It is now possible to create a task within Teams without leaving the app. Here's how you use it:

  1. To add a new task, click on the More icon of the message.
  2. From More Actions, select Create a Task and add all the details.
  3. Once you’ve created the task, you can view it in the Tasks app.

2. Spotlight Up to 7 Users During a Meeting

microsoft teams meeting multiple spotlight

It’s common to have more than one presenter/speaker during online meetings.

So Microsoft Teams now lets you spotlight up to seven users to help you focus equally on all speakers. To spotlight two or more people simultaneously, click on the context menu of additional participants and choose Add Spotlight.

Related: How to Host a Microsoft Teams Meeting on Desktop or Mobile

3. Control Attendees’ Camera

microsoft teams meeting screenshot

Having too many cameras and speakers enabled during the meeting can cause unwanted distractions. To keep everyone focused, the meeting host can now control participants’ audio and video settings.

You can disable the mics and cameras either before or during the meeting. The best part about it is that you can also turn off the audio and video permissions for individual participants, so only necessary cameras and mics are enabled.

4. Schedule Meetings Automatically

microsoft meeting auto scheduler

If you’ve worked remotely, odds are you’ve spent a good chunk of time scheduling meetings. But now, Microsoft has launched Scheduler, a Microsoft 365 service, to automate meeting scheduling.

To schedule a meeting, add Cortana to your email and ask it to schedule the meeting in the next week, month, or whenever you want. Cortana and Scheduler will work together to check everyone’s availability, find the best-suited time, and send out invites.

It’s a great tool, but you’ll to pay additionally for this service.

Related: How to Schedule a Meeting in Microsoft Outlook

5. Know More About Your Colleagues

microsoft organization explorer

Available to Office 365 Insiders only, Organization Explorer is an organizational browsing search engine that lets you explore people in your organization.

With this tool, you can find people in your organization, discover team relationships, see people’s skills, and learn more about them in Outlook. It’s still in preview.

6. Find Information Quickly Using Graph Connectors

microsoft-graph-connectors

You can have a hard time finding information if you don’t know where to look.

To make finding information easier, Microsoft has released new Graph Connectors that pull information from multiple sources, like Salesforce, ServiceNow, Azure SQL, MediaWiki, and more.

While working in apps such as SharePoint or Office.com, you can access and use this information. You can now add Graph Connectors in Search and Intelligence Admin Center.

7. Enriched Profile Cards

Using Graph Connectors, Microsoft will now display profile cards for your contacts that contain details beyond their name and job title.

Connectors will aggregate data from HRM systems like Workday and SuccessFactors and help you find information about people in your organization quickly and easily. This feature is expected to be released soon.

8. More Controls in Microsoft Bookings

microsoft bookings update

With two new user roles, Microsoft Bookings now has better administrative controls. They have also added customization and personal branding features that allow you to add company logos and colors.

Easy calendar switching and more filters have made it simpler for you to schedule appointments.

Make the Most Out of Microsoft Teams

With these new Microsoft Teams features, you can streamline your workflow and maximize your output.

But to make the most out of Microsoft Teams, you’ll need to master Teams and learn the lesser-known tips and tricks.

Images credits: Microsoft