Microsoft Teams
Creating Private Channels

Microsoft Teams: Creating Private Channels

Part of the value of Microsoft Teams is the ability to keep everything related to a project, topic, or department in one place. Suppose you create a team whose members include everyone in the accounting department with channels for each area, such as receivables, payables, and payroll. Everyone in accounting can access the information in these channels, making collaboration much easier. However, certain receivable accounts are highly sensitive, and only a few team members need to be aware of the customer details.

Rather than creating a separate team with customer-specific channels, you can add a private channel to the existing accounting department team. Using a private channel keeps all accounting-related data in one place but limits access to specific team members. If you haven’t created private channels in Microsoft Teams, here are the steps to following.

Creating a Private Channel

Any team member can create a private channel; however, system administrators can change permissions to restrict certain roles. When you create a private channel, only members and owners of the channel can access it. To understand who can view what in a private channel, see Private channels in Teams.

1. Find the team you want to add the private channel to.
2. Choose More Options.
3. Select Add Channel.
4. Enter a name for your channel—for example, Special Customer Accounts.
5. Add a description for the channel—for example, special instructions for select accounts.
6. Under Privacy on the next screen, select the down arrow to the right.
7. Select Private. It should indicate that the channel is only accessible to a specific group of people within the team.
8. Select Add. This adds a private channel to the team.

After creating the channel, you will want to add members.

Adding Members to a Private Channel

Creating the private channel makes you the owner. As a result, you can add or remove members and edit settings. To add members to a private channel, be sure they are a team member before attempting the following procedure.

1. Find the private channel just created.
2. Select More Options.
3. Choose Add Members. A private channel can have up to 250 members.
4. Assign roles to the members. For example, a private channel can have multiple owners.
5. Select Done when you’ve finished adding members.

As the owner, you control who can create channels and delete them.

Managing a Private Channel

A private channel will have a lock next to the name. Across from the channel name is the More Options selection. From that menu, you can edit, delete, hide or leave a channel. However, deleting a channel will remove the entire conversation history. Once a channel is designated as private, it cannot be changed to a standard channel. Likewise, a standard channel cannot be made private.

Microsoft Teams

As with all Microsoft products, Microsoft Teams has numerous features to improve productivity. That’s why partnering with a Microsoft Partner such as K² Technologies ensures businesses get the most out of their investment. As a top-tier Microsoft partner, K² Technologies can gain access to trusted Microsoft personnel when needed.

Working with a company that specializes in the Microsoft ecosystem means talking with Microsoft-certified professionals. Having access to such professionals will be even more crucial as Microsoft phases out Windows 10 and launches Windows 11.  K² Technologies can help design a migration path as well as manage your IT needs. In addition, we can address your cybersecurity needs and assist with business continuity planning.

Our qualified team can help you realize your investment in Microsoft solutions while providing the best-in-class service for all Microsoft cloud products. If you’d like to learn more about getting the most out of your Microsoft products, contact us to set up an appointment.