New Feature in Microsoft Teams: Forwarding Messages to and from Channels

An upcoming Microsoft Teams feature will allow users to forward posts and reply messages to and from channels, enhancing collaboration by reducing limitations on the type of content that can be forwarded.  Change for users: Currently, users cannot forward messages to and from channels. With this new feature, users can select the three-dot More actions menu on any channel post or reply message and choose Forward. In the Forward this message dialog box, users can select any destination chat or channel, with channels now included in the people picker. Admin Impact: This feature will be enabled by default. Admins can control message forwarding for individual teams or at the tenant level using sensitivity labels control data important to the organization. If a sensitivity label is applied, message forwarding will be disabled, blocking users from sharing content outside the channel. The feature will according to the Roadmap ID 469508 be rolling out in January or February 2025.

Chat with security groups, select destination download folder and more, coming soon in Teams

Here are some of my favorite new features for Teams these past few weeks. None of them are big enough to fit in a big post, but they still deserve some honorable mentions :)

The first feature was supposed to roll out in September, but I see it's been pushed back a few weeks. Users will soon be able to start a chat with existing distribution groups, mail enabled security groups and O365 groups. Follow roadmap item 62354 for updates, as it may be delayed again.

The next feature has been released, but may not have reach all tenants yet. Roadmap item 94719 describes how users will be able to change the destination folder for file downloads in Teams.

Another feature I'm looking forward to is roadmap item 88281 "schedule send in chat", allowing a user to write a message, but not sent it right away. Much like the similar schedule send feature in Outlook. 

Another rich collaboration feature being announced in roadmap item 97158 allows users to record, send and play video messages (max 1 minute) to each other. This feature will be on by default, but can be controlled through Teams messaging policies

It is getting easier to find that one missing, unread item in your feed. Teams is adding a toggle switch to display only unread items (mobile and desktop). The feature should be rolling out this month, but keep an eye out on roadmap item 88389 for updates.

The last feature I want to mention is the "Excel live" feature. This is truly bringing collaboration to a new level. It will allow users to cooperate live in a workbook shared in the meeting. Users can dive right into the shared space and collaborate. 
This feature is listed as roadmap item 96099 and is just around the corner. The message center post published late September is promising some admin controls in the future.


That was all for now, I am expecting some great news during Ignite, so stay tuned for more updates.