How to use Teams to have breakout meetings or 1 on 1 conversations outside of the primary meeting

Did you know that you can use Teams to have breakout meetings or 1-on-1 conversations outside of a primary meeting? Here is a how-to guide on how to utilize that feature

Use Teams to have breakout meetings or 1 on 1 conversations outside of the primary meeting.

1. Create a Teams meeting in Teams and invite everyone who needs to attend.
   1. (optional) Create additional Teams meetings for breakout meetings.
   2. While in Teams click on “Calendar” (1) on the left rail. Once you are in the calendar click “+ New meeting” (2).
      
   3. Please fill out the meeting requirements and click “Save” (1)
      
   4. To join the meeting, go to your calendar and find the meeting you created. Right click on the meeting (1) then choose “Join online” (2).
      
2. Once you are in your primary meeting you can view the participants by using the menu bar located at the bottom of your screen. The menu bar will be hidden if there is no mouse movement while in the meeting. Simply move your mouse or click on the screen for it to be visible. While viewing the menu bar click on the “Show participants” button. (Number 1 in the picture below)
3. Once you can see all the people currently in the call (2) you can hover over an individual’s picture icon and their contact card will appear (3). From there you have the option to chat, email or call (video or audio) (4).
4. If you click the phone or video button this will start a 1 on 1 conversation with that person. Your primary meeting will be put on hold for you. The other meeting participants will remain active in the meeting. You will see a small bar at the top left of your screen showing your primary meeting is on hold (pictured below). Once you are done speaking 1 on 1, we recommend ending the 1 on 1 conversation. Once that call is ended you will be prompted to join back into the primary meeting. Just click “Join”.
   
5. From there you can view the participants list again and select another person to call when you are ready. This is the best way to have 1 on 1 conversations while still holding your primary meeting with everyone.
6. If you opted to create a breakout meeting, you will need to join that meeting while still in the primary call. You can do the same as listed in step 1d. As with the 1 on 1 conversation, your primary meeting will be placed on hold and you will be joined into the breakout meeting. Other participants in the primary meeting can also do the same to join the breakout meeting.
7. Please note: Teams supports up to 4 concurrent sessions. If you have more than 3 meetings or conversations on hold Teams will ask you to end a session before you can place another on hold. We recommend you end one of your 1 on 1 sessions to make sure your primary or breakout meetings do not end for you.