How to Perform a Search in Microsoft Teams Chat & Channels

If you've accumulated a lot of messages and content in Microsoft Teams, searching for specific items can be a huge hassle. Luckily, there are several ways you can find chats, files, people, and other information shared in Teams.

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Searching in Microsoft Teams Chat & Channels

Aside from using the search box on top, you can:

Use Ctrl + F / Cmd + F

To search for messages within a specific channel or chat, press Ctrl+F (Windows) or cmd+F (Mac), followed by your search terms.

Use Filters

You can find files or messages shared in Teams on the web by using the tabs above your results, labeled "Messages," "People," and "Files." After making your initial selection, another level of filters will become available. For instance, if you select the Messages tab, further options will appear, allowing you to filter by the sender, location, and more.

Use Search Modifiers

If you want your message searches to be more defined, use KQL (Keyword Query Language). The modifiers that Teams supports are as follows:

• From: person's name
• Subject: keyword from a subject line
• In: channel or group chat name
• Sent: date

Expert Tips for Searching in Teams

To ensure powerful searching in Teams, follow these expert tips:

• If you want to find an exact match for a word or phrase, use quotation marks
• An asterisk (*) can be used to obtain results for any words with a matching prefix—type the first few letters of a word and immediately follow it up with an asterisk

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Unleash Can Help You Find What You’re Searching For

Unleash is a powerful enterprise search tool that can help you find what you need at the speed of thought. With advanced search functionality and the ability to connect with a variety of content sources, Unleash is the ultimate solution for finding anything—even on Teams!

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