This guide includes tips on how to run a successful meeting via Microsoft Teams, particularly for larger meetings.

1. Elect a chair for the call. The chair can nominate people to speak in turn.

2. If a participant has a comment, they can make use of the Hands Up feature in Teams which notifies other participants that they wish to speak.

To activate Hands Up, click the following icon on the call toolbar menu in the bottom middle of the meeting window:

Clicking once informs the other participants that someone wishes to speak by displaying a Hands Up symbol. Touching it a second time cancels the Hands Up.

The meeting chair can monitor the call for participants who have put their hand up and call on them to speak in turn.

Participants will need to cancel Hands Up manually once they have finished speaking.

3. Participants should mute their microphone unless they are speaking. This reduces the amount of background noise on the call, such as keyboard noise or feedback, making it easier for others to hear what is being said on the call.

To mute your microphone, click the microphone symbol in the call options menu at the bottom of the screen:

When your microphone is disabled it will be shown with a line through it:

Click the microphone icon again to toggle your camera back on.

4. In larger meetings, the quality of the call will be affected if everybody has their camera turned on. It’s recommended that participants disable their camera unless they are speaking.

To disable your camera, click the camera symbol in the call options menu at the bottom of the screen:

When your camera is disabled it will be shown with a line through it:

Click the camera icon again to toggle your camera back on.