Files in Teams

This guide provides instructions on:

Create and upload files
Create quick access to a file: create tab or pin file
Share the file link: in a post or chat/group chat or email.

Note: You can create your own Group chat for collaboration in Teams.

Create file in Teams

Notes:

Files created in a standard channel are available for all team members.
Files created in a private channel are available only for the private channel's members.

As a student, you are most likely to create or upload a file in your private channel for collaboration. Otherwise, you can use chat or group chat for collaboration with your group members.

Navigate to the relevant channel in a team; e.g. Course Discussion.
Click on the Files button.
Click on the + New button.

Select the file type you want to create; e.g. an Excel workbook (spreadsheet).

Enter a name for the file, e.g. Field trip groups.
Click on the Create button.

The file will be opened in a new tab on your browser.
Enter the required information on the file.
Optionally, you can close the file when finishing editing it.

The file is created in the channel's Files tab.

Optionally, you can pin the file or add a file tab for quick access. Note: Your Course Coordinator needs to allow the add tab permission for you to create a tab of the document if you are working on a private channel. You can share this guide with your Course Coordinator: https://elearning.uq.edu.au/guides/microsoft-teams/channel-settings-teams#3 (this guide is only available for teaching staff).

Upload file in Teams

As a student, you are most likely to create or upload a file in your private channel for collaboration. Otherwise, you can use chat or group chat for collaboration with your group members.

Notes:

Files uploaded to a standard channel are available for all team members.
Files uploaded to a private channel are available only for the private channel's members.
Uploading a file (from your personal drive) to a channel means creating a copy of the file for the channel's member to co-edit. All team members should be able to access the file in the channel to collaborate.

Navigate to the relevant channel in a team.
Click on the Upload button.

Select the upload option, e.g. Files.

Select a file from your device.
Optionally, you can pin the file or add a file tab for quick access. Note: Your Course Coordinator needs to allow the add tab permission for you to create a tab of the document if you are working on a private channel. You can share this guide with your Course Coordinator: https://elearning.uq.edu.au/guides/microsoft-teams/channel-settings-teams#3 (this guide is only available for teaching staff).

Create quick access to a file in Teams

Make a file tab

A tab provides quick access to a file (or a link) that team members frequently use. Note: Your Course Coordinator needs to allow the add tab permission for you to create a tab of the document if you are working on a private channel.

Click on the three-dot (more options) next to the file name.

Select the option Make this a tab.

The file is added to the tab for quick access.

Pin a file

A pinned file will be in the top position in the files list to provide users with a quick access.

Click on the three-dot (more options) next to the file name.

Select the option Pin to top.

The file will be pinned at the top position for quick access.

Post/Share file links in Teams

Notes:

Posting/Sharing the link of the uploaded/created file in a channel provides all channel members with access to collaborate.
Posting/Sharing the link of a file from your personal drive will not provide others with access to collaborate unless you edit the link setting to provide access to users in your organisation or share the file link via email to the receiver.

Post/Share file links in Teams

Click on the three-dot (more options) next to the file name.

Select the option Copy link.

Click on the Copy button.

Click on the Posts tab.
Click on the Start a post button.

Enter a title to the post title textbox.
Enter brief instructions and paste the link.
Click on the Post button.

The post will be displayed with the file link.

Note: This file link can also be shared in chat or a group chat. If the chat members have access to the channel where the file is attached, they will have access to it.