--- title: "Teams Training: Channels" description: Exploring Microsoft Teams channels and sharing a channel with team members, non-team members and external people --- [Skip to content](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/teams-training-channels#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [![dioceseofstalbans-technology\_474x247-1](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/dioceseofstalbans-technology_474x247-1.png?width=192&height=100&name=dioceseofstalbans-technology_474x247-1.png)](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/?hsLang=en) - [🎟️Raise Support Ticket](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/tickets-new) - [🎫My Tickets](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/tickets-view) - [🧠Knowledge Base](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [🎟️Raise Support Ticket](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/tickets-new) - [🎫My Tickets](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/tickets-view) - [🧠Knowledge Base](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/) - English Show submenu for translations - [My Tickets](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/tickets-view) [My Tickets](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/tickets-view?hsLang=en) How can we help? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [IT Help](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/?hsLang=en) 2. [Software & Services](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en) 3. [Teams](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#teams) # Teams Training: Channels ## Exploring Microsoft Teams channels and sharing a channel with team members, non-team members and external people ### What is a Channel in Microsoft Teams? A channel is a dedicated space within a team where members can collaborate, share messages, files, and tools related to specific topics, projects, or departments. Think of it as a virtual meeting room where all the work and discussions for a particular subject happen. --- ### Channel Types When creating a channel, there are 3 channel types you can choose from. It's important to learn what each type is for because you cannot change the channel type after it's been created. - **Standard **- all members of the containing Microsoft Team have access. The default General channel is a standard channel. - **Private** - access is granted by the Team/Channel owner to select members of the Team. - **Shared **- access is granted by the Team/Channel owner to selected members of the organisation (anybody with a @stalbansdiocese.org or @stalbans.anglican.org address) and to external users belonging to another Microsoft 365 tenant (not personal 365 accounts). This also involves administrators in both tenants to give the other permission. **External Users Tip:** If you wish to collaborate with somebody outside of the organisation (ie. somebody who does not have a @stalbansdiocese.org or @stalbans.anglican.org address) then the best channel type to use is a **Standard** or **Private** channel. They will also have to be a member of the Team so will have access to any information stored in any standard channels within that Team. A new Team may be therefore be more appropriate. - Only Team Owners and the IT Team can invite new people to a Team. - Only the IT Team can create new Teams. Please raise a support ticket to discuss your needs with the IT Team. --- ### How to add a new Channel **Note:** By default, all team members can create Channels in their team. If this is not the case, please raise a support ticket and tell us which Team you wish to create a channel for. 1. Next to the Team name, select the 3 dots **. . .** 2. Select **Add channel** 3. Add a name, description and choose the channel type (you can't change this later! [See above](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/teams-training-channels#channel-types).) ![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Dec-13-2024-10-48-54-0166-AM.png?width=586&height=305&name=image-png-Dec-13-2024-10-48-54-0166-AM.png) --- ### Video Tutorial - All about using channels in Microsoft Teams > *How to use channels to connect, collaborate, and establish workflows together in Teams.* --- ### Related links - **[Teams Training: Channels Missing \>](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/teams-hide-inactive-channels?hsLang=en)** - [Communications](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/communications?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Branding](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/communications?hsLang=en#branding) - [Devices](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/devices?hsLang=en#main-content) - [All Devices](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/devices?hsLang=en#all-devices) - [Computer](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/devices?hsLang=en#computer) - [iPhone, iPad & Android](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/devices?hsLang=en#iphone-ipad-android) - [Personal](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/devices?hsLang=en#personal) - [Links](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/links?hsLang=en) - [Software & Services](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Artificial Intelligence (AI)](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#artificial-intelligence-ai) - [Calendars & Tasks](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#calendars-tasks) - [CMS & Database](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#cms-database) - [Emails](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#emails) - [Files](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#files) - [Meetings](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#meetings) - [Finance](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#finance) - [Forms](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#forms) - [PDFs](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#pdfs) - [Printing & Scanning](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#printing-scanning) - [Security & Data Protection](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#security-data-protection) - [SharePoint & OneDrive](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#sharepoint-onedrive) - [Staff](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#staff) - [Teams](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#teams) - [Teams Phone](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#teams-phone) - [Video Conferencing](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/software-services?hsLang=en#video-conferencing) - [Website](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/website?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/contact?hsLang=en) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/apple-touch-icon-1.png?width=24&height=24&name=apple-touch-icon-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org?hsLang=en) St Albans Diocesan IT Team Copyright © 2026, Diocese of St Albans