Manage files in Teams

  • 5 minutes

Teams makes it easy to share files with learners and colleagues. Every channel in a team has its own file folder to share files with team members.

The Files tab

The Files tab lets team members:

  • Create, upload, edit, and access files
  • Share links

Screenshot of the Files tab in Microsoft Teams.

Files can be for reference or collaboration. Once added, the files and links are searchable under the Files tab.

Add files to Teams

Educators can upload existing files or create new files directly in the file folder.

To upload existing files:

  1. Go to the Files tab in a chosen channel.
  2. Select the Upload button.
  3. Select the file (or files), folder, or template in the File Explorer window.
  4. Select Open.

Screenshot of the types of documents that can be uploaded to the Files tab in Microsoft Teams.

This method uploads a copy of the file to the team. Any team member can access uploaded files.

Note

In the General channel of a class team, the Files tab includes a Class materials folder. Anything added to the Class materials folder is read-only for learners. A document added to files—but not to the class materials folder—is editable by any member of the team.

Create a new document in a team

To create a new document, template, or link:

  1. Select the New button.
  2. Select the type of file (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Forms, OneNote, link, or template) you want to create.
  3. Name the file.
  4. Select Create.

Screenshot of types of documents available in the Files tab in Microsoft Teams.

The new file opens in Teams where members can edit it. If a team member prefers to work in the desktop version of the app:

  1. Select the Editing button on the ribbon.
  2. Select Open in Desktop app.

Screenshot showing how to edit a Teams document in the desktop app Microsoft Word app.

Team members can now view and edit the new file.