Microsoft Teams is a collaboration application that facilitates conversations and work with individuals both internal and external to the UCSF enterprise. This page will assist you with adding external collaborators (e.g., Individuals outside of UCSF) to chats and channels within Microsoft Teams.

Adding External Collaborators to Teams' Channels

The process for adding external collaborators to channels within Microsoft Teams is simple and makes it easy to collaborate in real-time with individuals outside of the UCSF enterprise. Let's take a moment to review the steps for adding an external collaborator to a channel in Microsoft Teams. NOTE: External Collaborators will be able to be added to private channels in Microsoft Teams.

1. Select the Teams icon in Microsoft Teams.

2. Hover over the team name that you would like to add the external collaborator to.

   

3. Select the ... for the team before selecting the Add Member option.

   

    

4. Enter the external collaborator's email address in the Type a name or email field.

   

5. Click the Send Request button.

   
6. The external collaborator will receive an email providing access to the selected team in Microsoft Teams!

Adding External Collaborators to Teams' Chats

Once an external collaborator has been added to a team in Microsoft Teams, you can initiate direct chats with external collaborators as well. NOTE: You can add an external collaborator to a chat first but it is a best practice to add them to a team first.

1. Select the Chat icon in Microsoft Teams.

   

2. Click the pencil and pad icon in the Chat window.

   

3. Enter the external collaborator's email address in the Enter name, email, group or tag field.

   

    

4. Enter the content of your message with the external collaborator before clicking the send button.

   
5. The external collaborator will receive your direct chat message within Microsoft Teams!