Duplicating a team in Microsoft Teams typically refers to two distinct methods: creating a new team based on an existing one to copy its structure and content, or, for administrators, duplicating a team template to standardize future team creations. Both approaches help streamline the setup process for new teams.
Creating a New Team from an Existing One (User-Facing Duplication)
This is the most common way for users to "duplicate" an existing team, allowing you to quickly set up a new team with similar channels, tabs, apps, and even members from a source team. This method is ideal when you need a new team that mirrors the structure and configuration of a successful project team, departmental team, or a specific workgroup.
Steps to Create a New Team from an Existing One:
- Open Microsoft Teams: Launch the Teams application or access it via your web browser.
- Initiate Team Creation:
- On the left sidebar, click Teams.
- At the bottom of your teams list, select Join or create a team.
- Click Create team.
- Choose "From a Template":
- Select the option From a template.
- From the "Choose your template" screen, select From another team.
- Select the Source Team:
- A list of your existing teams will appear. Search for and select the team you wish to duplicate as the source.
- Click Next.
- Configure Your New Team:
- Team Name: Give your new team a unique name.
- Description: Add an optional description.
- Privacy: Choose the privacy setting (Private or Public).
- Copy Content: Select the elements you want to copy from the original team. You can choose to copy:
- Channels: All standard channels (private channels are not copied).
- Tabs: Tabs within those channels.
- Team settings: Including permissions, guest settings, and other configurations.
- Apps: Connectors and installed apps.
- Members: Optionally, you can choose to include the original team's members.
- Click Create.
Your new team will be created with the selected elements from the existing team. You can then further customize it as needed.
Duplicating a Team Template for Standardized Team Creation (Admin-Level Duplication)
For administrators, Microsoft Teams allows the duplication of team templates. Team templates are pre-defined structures that standardize team creation across an organization, ensuring consistency in channels, apps, and settings for specific use cases (e.g., project management, event coordination, specific departments). Duplicating an existing template is useful when you want to create a new custom template that is a slight variation of an already defined template, saving time and effort.
Steps to Duplicate a Team Template:
- Access the Teams Admin Center: Log in to the Microsoft Teams admin center.
- Navigate to Team Templates: In the left navigation, expand Teams Team templates.
- Select and Duplicate: In the Team templates section, select a team template that you want to duplicate to highlight it, and then select Duplicate.
- Customize the New Template: You will then be prompted to configure the new duplicate template, including its name, description, and modifying its channels, apps, and settings as required.
This method enables administrators to refine and expand their library of custom templates efficiently, promoting organizational consistency in team structures.
When to Choose Each Method
| Feature | Create New Team from Existing | Duplicate Team Template (Admin) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Replicate an active team | Standardize future team creation |
| User Level | End-users, Team owners | Teams Administrators |
| Outcome | A new functional team | A new blueprint for future teams |
| Items Copied | Channels, tabs, apps, settings, (optional) members | Channels, apps, settings (template structure) |
| Use Case | Starting a new project like a past one, creating a sub-department team | Creating custom templates for specific organizational needs |
Both methods offer powerful ways to leverage existing structures and configurations, significantly reducing the manual effort involved in setting up new teams.
