Calling through Microsoft Teams

Overview

Learn the basics of making phone calls through Microsoft Teams.

Article Contents

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Prerequisites and recommendations

For the best experience with Teams calling, you'll need the following:

  • Teams calling enabled
    • Your UO phone number must be enabled for Teams calling.
  • Devices
    • Computer, tablet, or smartphone.
    • Microphone plus speakers or headphones.
      • Recommended: Headset.
  • Teams application
    • Recommended: Use Teams application installed on your computer or mobile device, instead of using Teams through a web browser.
    • Recommended: For laptops and desktop computers, use the Office 365 version of the Teams app, or at least Office 2019.
  • For international calling
    • International calls can be made through Teams as long as the caller has an appropriate international calling plan and if you are attempting to call certain countries. For more information about international calling, please submit a ticket through the Microsoft Teams Support service page.

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How to place a call

Step 1: Enter your contact or the phone number you wish to dial

To place a call, select the Calls icon.

Desktop or web applications

On the Calls screen, you will see the screen divided into three panels: The dialing and settings panel, the history and voicemail panel, and the additional functions panel.

Microsoft Teams Calls screen

Either enter the name of the person you wish to call or enter their phone number. You may also use the dial pad to enter the number.

Type a name or number field highlighted on Calls screen

Mobile application

On the Calls screen you will see the speed dial and history screens. Select the + icon to see the dial pad and your People list.

Select the Phone Plus icon to view the dialpad

You can enter the phone number using the dial pad or you can select the People tab to search for the person you wish to call.

Please Note: This will bring up both contacts from the UO Global Address List and the contacts saved to your mobile phone.

Teams Mobile Dialpad view

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Step 2: Conduct the call

Press the Call button to conduct the call.

Enter the phone number then select Call.

Please Note: Within the desktop application, a pop-up window will appear. The call will be conducted within that window.

Click the Leave button to end the call.

Leave the call button highlighted

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Dialing a phone number

Number format

Teams calling follows the E.164 format as dictated by the International Telecommunications Union - Telecommunications Sector (ITU-T).

  • +[country code] [subscriber number with area code/national destination code]
  • For example: +15413461000 or +1 541-346-1000 or +1 (541) 346-1000
  • Note: You do not need to dial the +

UO and Domestic Calling

  • Three-digit dialing (e.g., 411, 511) is possible. Just dial the number and conduct the call.
  • Five-digit dialing (commonly used for dialing a UO extension, x6-####) is possible as well. Dial the extension and conduct the call.
  • Ten-digit calls (e.g., 541-346-####) can be made by dialing the phone number and conducting the call. There is no need to enter 1 before the area code as it is done automatically.

International Calling

  • Since Teams follows the E.164 format, 011 is no longer required
  • Dial the country code then conduct the call.
    • Example: To call the Royal Albert Hall in London, dial +44 20 7589 8212
Note: International calls can be made through Teams as long as the caller has an appropriate international calling plan and if you are attempting to call certain countries. For more information about international calling, please submit a ticket through the Microsoft Teams Support service page.

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Features while calling

There are certain features that are available only while calling.

Desktop application

Select Teams classic or Microsoft Teams (work or school) depending on your version.

Teams screen during a call with possible options highlighted

Label Option Function
1 Dial pad The dial pad will appear on the top-center of the window
2 Participants The participants panel will appear on the right
3 Options menu Will allow you to pick from:
  • Device settings
  • Call Health
  • Hold
  • Transfer
  • Consult then Transfer
  • Turn on (or off) live captions
  • Start recording
4 Mute This will mute your microphone
5 Leave This will end your call session

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New Teams Call Screen

Label Option Function
1 Dial pad The dial pad will appear on the top-center of the window.
2 Hold Places the call on hold. Select it again to resume the call.
3 Transfer Allows you to transfer the call to another phone number or extension.
4 People The people panel will appear on the right.
5 More Will allow you to pick from:
  • Device settings
  • Call Health
  • Turn on (or off) live captions
  • Start recording
6 Mic This will mute or unmute your microphone
7 Leave This will end your call session

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Web application

Please Note: In order to see the call options menu, move your mouse cursor around the call screen to get it to appear.
Also Note: The web application only works in Edge and Chrome. For a full feature comparison, please refer Calls features article from Microsoft.

Teams Calling web version with call options highlighted

Label Option Function
1 Mute This will mute your microphone
2 Dial pad The dial pad will appear on the top-center of the window
3 Options Menu

Will allow you to pick from:

  • Device settings
  • Entering full screen
  • Hold
  • Transfer
  • Consult then Transfer
  • Start recording
4 Participants The participants panel will appear on the right
5 Leave This will end your call session

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Mobile application

The mobile application can be used in place of your smartphone's operating system default call screen.

Microsoft Teams call screen during a call with options highlighted

Label Option Function
1 Dial pad This will send you to the dial pad screen.
2 Mute microphone This will mute your microphone.
3 Change speaker source This will allow you to switch between the phone's ear speaker,
speakerphone, and any connected devices.
4 Options menu

This menu contains:

  • Chat
  • People (on the call)
  • Share
  • Views
  • Turn on (or off) live captions
  • Put call on hold
  • Transfer
5 Participants screen This will allow you to see the list of participants within the call.
6 Leave This will end the call.

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Additional Resources

  • Microsoft has additional resources about the various features of Teams calling including this series of videos that provide an overview of its capabilities.
  • Microsoft has also provided a full feature breakdown of calling features by operating system. Please refer to their Calls article for more information.
  • For additional help with the calling features described above, please submit a ticket on the Microsoft Teams Support service page.
Create a Ticket Print Article

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