Using tags in Microsoft Teams

Tags let you quickly reach a group of people all at once.

You can categorize people based on attributes, such as role, project, skill, training, or location. For example, a "Nurse" or "Manager" or Designer" tag lets you reach groups of people in Teams without having to type every single name.

Using tags

To use a tag, just @mention it in a channel. Everyone who's been assigned that tag will receive a notification.

You can also use a tag to start a new chat. Select the tag that's assigned to the people you want to reach, then write your message.

@mention a tag in a channel

In a channel conversation, simply @mention a tag (type @ and the tag name) in your message and select the tag from the list. The tag will appear just like any @mention, and the people associated with the tag will be notified.

Start a chat using a tag

To start a chat with the members of a tag, select New chat New chat icon in Teams . Start typing the name of the tag, and then select the tag from the list. Everyone in the tag group will be added to the To: field.

Create and manage custom tags in Teams

Select Teams Teams button on the left side of the app and select the team you want to create tags for in the list. Then select More options More options button and choose Manage tags manage tags icon . Create a tag by naming your tag, adding a helpful description, and assigning people on your team.

There are three kinds of tags in Teams:

Custom tags: Team owners and team members (with permission) can create and assign tags to other team members. You can use these tags to start new chats in channel conversations.
Shift-based tags: Reach shift-based people based on their schedule info in the Shifts app. You can use these tags to start new chats and in channel conversations.
Automatic tags: Reach people by department or job title in channel conversations. These tags must be set up by your IT admin.

Note: If you're unable to create tags, your organization might not have the feature enabled. To get permissions to create or manage tags, contact your team owner.

Tags settings for team owners

Team owners can adjust tags settings from the desktop app.

Choose whether team members can create tags:

Team owners can choose whether members of their team can create tags.

Select Teams on the left side of the app and find your team in the list.
Go to More options then select Manage team
Choose the Settings tab, and then go to the @mention section.

You can now choose who can use team, channel, and group @mentions.

Choose whether to use shift-based tags:

To use shift-based tags, in the Settings tab, go to Tags and turn on the Shifts toggle.

To learn more about Shifts settings, see Manage settings in Shifts.

Choose whether team members can use automatic tags:

To allow team members to @mention people based on department of job title, go to the @mention section, and then select the checkbox labeled Show members the option to @mention groups based on job title or department. This will notify everyone in that group.

Notes:

For shared channels, only direct members of a shared channel can be added to a shared channel tag.
If you're an admin, see Set up targeted communications for more info about how to enable automatic tags in your org.
For IT admins, see Manage tags in Microsoft Teams.
Tags are not yet available in Air Gap.

Using tags

@mention a tag in a channel

Start a chat using a tag

Create and manage custom tags in Teams

Tags settings for team owners

Choose whether team members can create tags:

Choose whether to use shift-based tags:

Choose whether team members can use automatic tags:

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