In the Microsoft Teams environment, apps, connectors, tabs, and messaging extensions play a crucial role in enhancing team productivity and collaboration.
Leveraging and managing these elements efficiently is vital and is a key focus area for the MS-700: Managing Microsoft Teams exam. This article delves into the processes and considerations linked to adding apps, connectors, tabs, and messaging extensions to a team.
Adding Applications to a Team
Applications in Microsoft Teams provide extended functionality and can be added on three levels: teams, channels, and personal apps. They allow users to access third-party services directly within Microsoft Teams. To add an app to a team,
- Select the team, click the ellipsis (…) on the team’s card, and choose ‘Manage team’.
- In the Apps tab, click on ‘More apps’ and browse or search for the required app. After selecting it, click on ‘Add to team’ to provide access for your team.
Remember, admins must ensure they are in compliance with their organization’s policies, and the application in question needs to be allowed by IT admin policies.
Adding Connectors
Connectors are used to link third-party services with Microsoft Teams, providing notifications and updates directly into a specified channel. This can drastically reduce time spent switching between apps, thereby improving productivity.
To attach a connector to a team,
- Choose the desired Channel and click the ellipsis (…).
- Click on ‘Connectors’ and you will see a list of available connectors.
- Choose the connector you desire, configure its settings, and click on ‘Add’.
It’s important to note that only team owners and members with equivalent permissions can add or configure connectors.
Establishing Tabs
Tabs offer a dedicated space for applications and services within a channel or chat, making frequently used documents and cloud services readily accessible. Each new channel gets a dedicated ‘Posts’ and ‘Files’ tab by default.
To create a tab,
- Go to the channel or chat where you want to add a tab and click on the ‘+’ tab to the right of the existing tabs.
- From the ‘Add a tab’ dialog box, you can select an app or service to embed as a tab.
- Configure your tab based on its purpose and requirements. Once that is done, click ‘Save’.
Tabs can be reordered, renamed, or removed according to the team’s preferences.
Incorporating Messaging Extensions
Messaging extensions enable users to command apps and take swift actions right from the command box. They can find additional information from an app or insert it into a conversation, involve a bot in a conversation, and utilize shortcuts and @mentions to communicate more effectively.
You may add a Messaging Extension as follows,
- Beneath the message box, click on the ellipsis (…) to open the ‘More actions’ tray.
- Search for the desired messaging extension and find more information or insert content into a conversation.
You can get rid of an extension or review its details through the ‘More apps’ option found on the left side of Teams.
From the article, one can conclude that these integrative tools form a collaborative environment that aligns seamlessly with diverse workflows. Having working knowledge about these aspects is crucial for candidates undertaking the MS-700: Managing Microsoft Teams exam for ensuring effective management of Microsoft Teams in an organizational setting. By effectively managing these elements, Teams can be made more productive, enabling smooth collaboration and seamless workflow.
Practice Test
The only thing you can add to a Microsoft Team are apps.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Apart from apps, you can also add connectors, tabs, and messaging extensions to a Microsoft Team.
Is it possible to integrate a Trello app with your Microsoft Team?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Yes, it’s possible to integrate various third-party apps such as Trello with Microsoft Teams.
Can you use extensions to enhance your messaging capabilities in Microsoft Teams?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Messaging extensions in Microsoft Teams are a powerful way to pull in interactive content and integrate third-party services.
Connectors can be used to bring external updates into a Microsoft Teams channel.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Connectors are a way to bring third-party app updates into a Microsoft Teams channel.
Select the option/s that are features of Microsoft Teams:
- Direct chats
- Video conferencing
- Ability to add apps, connectors, and tabs
- None of the above
Answer: Direct chats, Video conferencing, Ability to add apps, connectors, and tabs
Explanation: All of the listed options are features of Microsoft Teams.
Which of the following can you NOT add to a Microsoft Teams Channel?
- Apps
- Connectors
- Tabs
- None of the above
Answer: None of the above
Explanation: You can add apps, connectors, and tabs to a Microsoft Teams Channel.
Who can add apps to a Microsoft Teams channel?
- Channel members
- Team owners
- Both Channel Members and Team Owners
- Neither Channel Members nor Team Owners
Answer: Both Channel Members and Team Owners
Explanation: Both Channel Members and Team Owners have the permission to add apps to a Microsoft Teams channel.
Can connectors only be added by Team owners in Microsoft Teams?
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Connectors can be added by either a team owner or a team member.
Which of following can you add in a conversation in Microsoft Teams to enhance capability of your message?
- Apps
- Messaging extensions
- Connectors
- None of the above
Answer: Messaging Extensions
Explanation: Messaging extensions can add extra functionality to the messages to enhance the capability of your message in a conversation.
Microsoft Teams can only handle applications from Microsoft.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Microsoft Teams can integrate with a vast range of third-party applications, not just those developed by Microsoft.
Apps integration in Microsoft Teams can create a centralized workspace.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Adding apps in Microsoft Teams makes it easier to access the tools and data you need, creating a more efficient and centralized workspace.
Tabs in Microsoft Teams can be customized to display rich, interactive content.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Tabs in Microsoft Teams are a way to display rich, interactive content directly within Teams. They can be added to a channel or a chat, or shared across an entire team.
You can only add apps to a team, and not to a specific channel in that team.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: You can add apps to a specific channel in a team, as well as to the team itself.
You can add a tab to a private chat in Microsoft Teams.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Tabs can be added to any chat in Microsoft Teams, including private chats, to provide quick access to frequently used documents and cloud services.
Can apps, connectors, tabs, and messaging extensions be used to customize Microsoft Teams?
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: These features can be added to Microsoft Teams to create a more tailored, productive work environment.
Interview Questions
What is the purpose of adding apps in Microsoft Teams?
Apps in Microsoft Teams allow users to integrate third-party services directly into the application to enhance productivity, communication efficiency, and user experience.
Can you list the steps to add an app to a Microsoft Teams?
Yes, to add an app in Microsoft Teams, first click on the three-dot menu at the left of Teams. Then click ‘More Apps’ and you can search for the app you need. Once you find it, click “Add”.
What is a connector in Microsoft Teams?
Connectors are a bridge between Microsoft Teams and external apps and services. They help pull in notifications, updates, or important information directly into your team channel from services like Twitter, Trello, etc.
How can you add a connector to a Microsoft Teams channel?
You can add a connector by going to the channel and then clicking on ‘Connectors’ in the drop-down menu under the channel name. You can then search for the required connector and click ‘Add’.
What is a tab in Microsoft Teams?
A tab in Microsoft Teams is a dedicated space within a channel where you can share files, apps, and websites to collaborate with team members.
How do you add a tab to a Microsoft Teams channel?
To add a tab, go to the channel where you want to add the tab, click the ‘add a tab’ button next to existing tabs at the top of the channel, and select the type of content or app you want to share.
What is a messaging extension in Microsoft Teams?
Messaging extensions in Microsoft Teams are modules that users can interact with within the context of a conversation in channels or direct chats. They can return cards to chats or perform tasks based on the user’s input.
How can you add a messaging extension to Microsoft Teams?
To add a messaging extension, click on the three-dot menu at the bottom of the compose message box, type the name of the extension you want to install, and click ‘Add’.
Can connectors be removed or managed in Microsoft Teams?
Yes, connectors can be managed by clicking the ‘manage team’ button in the channel where the connector is installed, then selecting ‘Apps’, and then you can remove or configure the connectors.
Can you remove tabs from a Microsoft Teams channel?
Yes, you can remove a tab by going to the tab you want to remove, clicking the drop-down arrow next to the tab, and selecting ‘Remove’. This only removes the tab, not the content associated with it.
Can you add apps to a meeting in Microsoft Teams?
Yes, Apps can be added to a meeting in Microsoft Teams. This can be done by clicking on the ‘+’ icon during a meeting and choosing the relevant app.
Can every member of the team add or remove connectors?
No, only team owners or members with the necessary permissions can add or remove connectors in Microsoft Teams.
Can you change the order of tabs within a channel in Microsoft Teams?
Yes, you can change the order of tabs by simply clicking, holding, and then dragging them to the desired location.
What happens if you uninstall an app which has a tab in a team channel?
Even if you uninstall an app from Microsoft Teams, the tab associated with that app will remain in the channel. However, the functionality of the tab will be limited due to the uninstallation of the app.
Can you install the same app multiple times in Microsoft Teams?
Yes, you can install the same app multiple times in different locations throughout Microsoft Teams. For example, you can have the same app installed in multiple channels or chats.