Create a community and channel in Microsoft Teams Free

When you create a community, you can choose to add a channel or return later to add it. Create or add a channel will help you make planning and organizing your projects easier.

Create a community

There are different ways to create a community. You can start a community of your own without using a template or you can use a template such as sports, volunteering, gaming, and more.

Create a community from scratch

1. Tap the Communities tab.

2. Tap Create new community .

3. Tap Create my own.

4. Tap the emoji to update with an emoji or picture for your community.

5. Update the community name, which is required to create your community.

   Note

   Community names and descriptions cannot contain links, profanities, or restricted terms to protect users from scams, phishing, and malware.

6. If you wish, tap Description to add one for your community.

7. Once you're finished, tap Create. 

After creating a community, you are the owner. You can search for people to invite or share a link or QR code so they can join your community.

Use a template to create a community

Templates use a preset name and picture to help you get your community started quickly. For example, you can create a Neighborhood or Gaming community to share with others.

1. Tap the Communities tab.

2. Tap Create new community .

3. Tap the template you want to use, for example, Sport or Volunteering.

4. Tap the emoji to update with an emoji or picture for your community.

5. Update the community name, which is required to create your community.

   Note

   Community names and descriptions cannot contain links, profanities, or restricted terms to protect users from scams, phishing, and malware.

6. If you wish, tap Description to add one for your community.

7. Once you're finished, tap Create. 

After creating a community, you are the owner. You can search for people to invite or share a link or QR code so they can join your community.

Create or add a channel

To create a channel in a community, you must be an owner. You can create a channel from scratch or use template. If you already have a channel in your community, you can add up to five channels to keep your community organized.

Create a channel for a community you own

1. Tap the Communities tab in the Teams app.
2. Find the community that you want to create a channel.
3. Tap Add channel under the community name.
4. Tap Add channel on the bottom of the screen.
5. Give your channel a name in the Channel name field. Tap on the emoji picker to add a reaction or emoji to your title
6. Tap the checkmark or Done to create the channel for your community. To exit without making any changes, select Cancel.

To update and manage settings in a channel you own, see Update community settings in Microsoft Teams Free.

When you create a community, you can choose to add a channel or return later to add it. Create or add a channel will help you make planning and organizing your projects easier.

Create a community

There are different ways to create a community. You can start a community of your own without using a template or you can use a template such as sports, volunteering, gaming and more

1. In Teams, select Communities .

2. Select Create Community on the Communities banner.

3. Create a community with or without a template.

   • Create a community without a template: Select Create my own to set up a community without using a template.
   • Use a template: Go to Start with a template, then select a template. To see more template topics, use the scroll bar on the far-right side of the Create a community window and move through the template options.

   

4. Customize your community.

   • Give your community a name: Select Name your community to add a community name, which is required to create your community.

     Note

     Community names and descriptions cannot contain links, profanities, or restricted terms to protect users from scams, phishing, and malware.

   • Edit your community image: Go to or the image next to Name your community and upload a picture for your community.

   • Enter info about your community: Add details about the community in Description. You can also update the Community guidelines by selecting the pencil button .

5. Select Create to finish creating your community. After creating a community, you are the owner. You can search invite or share a link for people to join your community.

Create or add a channel

To create channels in a community, you must be an owner. If you already have a channel in your community, you can add up to five channels to keep your community organized.

Create a channel for a community you own

1. Select Communities  from the app bar on the left side of the screen.

2. Under the community name, select Add channel .

3. Give your channel a name in the Channel name field.

   • Use the drop-down menu to add an emoji or reaction to your title.
   • Enter the name of your channel in the Give your channel a name field.

4. Select Add to create the channel for your community or select Cancel to exit without submitting any changes.