Tutorial / Cram Notes
Creating a team from existing resources is an essential skill for those looking to effectively administer and manage Microsoft Teams, particularly in the context of the MS-700: Managing Microsoft Teams exam objectives. Organizations often have existing structures, such as Office 365 groups, SharePoint sites, or other teams, that can be leveraged to create new teams. Doing so helps maintain continuity, leverages established permissions, and can streamline collaboration.
Understanding Teams and Group Relationships
Before creating a new team from existing resources, it is critical to understand how Teams is built on top of Office 365 Groups. When you create a team, a corresponding Office 365 Group is automatically created, and each group includes a shared mailbox, calendar, SharePoint site, and OneNote notebook.
Creating a Team from an Existing Office 365 Group
To create a team from an existing Office 365 Group, follow these steps:
- In Microsoft Teams, go to the Teams tab on the left-hand side.
- Click on “Join or create a team” at the bottom of the Teams list.
- Choose “Create a team from an existing Office 365 group” or SharePoint site.
- You will see a list of eligible groups that do not yet have a Team. Select the group you want to use and click “Create.”
Creating a Team from an Existing SharePoint Site
Creating a team with a connected SharePoint site allows team members to interact with files stored on that site directly in Teams:
- Go to the SharePoint site and click on the “New” menu.
- Select “Team” from the drop-down menu.
- You will be redirected to Microsoft Teams to finalize the creation.
Using Existing Teams as Templates
If you have existing Teams that are set up with channels, tabs, and apps that could be beneficial for new projects or departments, you can use them as templates to create new teams:
- Click “Join or create a team” in Microsoft Teams.
- Click “Create team.”
- Choose “Create from…” and then select an existing team to use as a template.
- Name the new team, add a description if desired, and configure the privacy settings.
- You can then select which parts of the team you want to duplicate (channels, tabs, settings).
Best Practices for Team Creation
- Ensure Group Mailbox Usage: If you are creating a team from an existing Office 365 Group, check that the group has a mailbox that has been used within the last 30 days. Groups without recent activity might not appear in the list of available groups.
- Manage Permissions: Be mindful of the permission settings inherited from the original Office 365 Group or SharePoint site. Adjust as necessary for the newly created team.
- Customize the Team: Once created, customize the team further by adding or modifying channels, tabs, and apps specific to the team’s collaboration needs.
Examples in Table Format
Comparison of Team Creation Methods
| Creation Method | Use Case | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Office 365 Group | Leveraging existing group structure, members, and resources | Group must have recent activity; Permissions inherit from the group |
| SharePoint Site | Collaborating on SharePoint document libraries in Teams | The site must be a part of an Office 365 group |
| Existing Team Template | Duplicating structure and settings for new initiatives | Only public channels are copied; Private channels must be recreated |
Creating a team from existing resources can dramatically simplify the process of launching new initiatives within Microsoft Teams, saving time and ensuring consistency across an organization’s collaborative environment. As you prep for the MS-700 exam, understanding these processes will not only help you pass the test but also put best practices into action in a real-world setting.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: When creating a new team in Microsoft Teams, you have the option to build a team from scratch or create it from an existing group.
- True
True
Microsoft Teams allows you to create a new team from scratch, from an existing Office 365 group, or from another team.
Which of the following can be used as a resource for creating a new team in Microsoft Teams? (Select all that apply)
- A) An existing Office 365 group
- B) A SharePoint site
- C) A Microsoft Teams channel
- D) An Outlook distribution list
A, B
You can create a team from an existing Office 365 group or a SharePoint site. While channels are part of a team, they cannot be the basis for creating a new team. Outlook distribution lists are not directly used to create a team, but group members could be manually added to a team.
True or False: When a new team is created from an existing group, the membership of the original group will not transfer over to the new team.
- False
False
When a new team is created from an existing Office 365 group, the membership of the original group is transferred over to the team, including ownership and membership permissions.
When creating a team from an existing resource, which of the following can you NOT preserve in the new team?
- A) Channels
- B) Files
- C) Chats
- D) Tabs
C
Chats are not preserved when creating a new team from an existing resource because they are private to the original team. Channels, files, and tabs that are part of the original group associated with the resource can be preserved and transferred to the new team.
True or False: All contents of an existing SharePoint site will automatically sync when you create a team from this resource.
- False
False
Not all contents of an existing SharePoint site will automatically sync. The files located in the site’s document library will become available in the teams’ Files tab, but other elements such as lists or pages will not sync.
When creating a new team from an existing Office 365 group, what is the minimum required role to perform this action?
- A) Group member
- B) Group owner
- C) Team member
- D) Team owner
B
You need to be an owner of an existing Office 365 group to create a team from that group.
True or False: You can create multiple teams from a single existing Office 365 group.
- False
False
Once an Office 365 group is tied to a team in Microsoft Teams, you cannot use it to create another team.
Which of the following is not a benefit of creating a team from an existing resource?
- A) Maintaining continuity
- B) Simplified management
- C) Automatic membership updates
- D) Increased storage capacity
D
Creating a team from an existing resource does not inherently increase storage capacity. It maintains continuity, simplifies management, and ensures membership is consistent with the originating resource.
True or False: When a Team is created from an existing Office 365 group, the email conversations from the group are imported into the Team’s channel.
- False
False
Email conversations from an Office 365 group are not imported into the Teams’s channels when a Team is created from that group.
Single select: Which setting will not be copied over when a Team is created from an existing group?
- A) Team description
- B) Privacy settings
- C) Tags
- D) Notebook sections
D
Notebook sections in OneNote are not duplicated or transferred within the Teams interface when you create a team from an existing group. However, team description, privacy settings, and even tags (if used) are carried over to the new team.
True or False: Customizations applied to the SharePoint site connected to an existing Office 365 group will be reflected within the Files tab of the Team when you create a team from this group.
- True
True
The Files tab in a Microsoft Teams channel is directly connected to the SharePoint document library of the group. Hence, customizations in the SharePoint site will be reflected within the Files tab.
Single select: Which capability is necessary for using an existing SharePoint site to create a team?
- A) SharePoint admin permissions
- B) Group ownership
- C) Global administrator role
- D) Team ownership
A
To use an existing SharePoint site to create a team, you need SharePoint admin permissions to have the necessary rights over the site’s configuration and integration with Microsoft Teams.
Interview Questions
What is an Office 365 Group?
An Office 365 Group is a collection of people, tools, and resources that is used for collaboration and communication within an organization.
How can I create an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
To create an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams, open the Teams app and click on “Join or create a team.” Select “Create a team,” and then choose “Create a team using an existing Office 365 Group.”
What resources are available in an Office 365 Group?
Resources that are available in an Office 365 Group include email, files, calendar events, and tasks.
How can I create a team from an existing Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
To create a team from an existing Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams, open the Teams app and click on “Join or create a team.” Select “Create a team,” and then choose “Use an existing team or create a new team with existing Office 365 Groups.”
What is the benefit of creating a team from an existing Office 365 Group?
The benefit of creating a team from an existing Office 365 Group is that you can take advantage of the resources and features that are already available to your organization, such as files, calendars, and email.
What happens when you create a team from an existing Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
When you create a team from an existing Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams, all members of the Group will automatically become members of the new team.
Can I switch between a team and an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
Yes, you can easily switch between a team and an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams.
How can I access email for an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
To access email for an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams, click on the “General” channel in the team, and then click on the “Mail” tab.
How can I access files for an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
To access files for an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams, click on the “Files” tab in the team.
Can I create a team and an Office 365 Group at the same time in Microsoft Teams?
Yes, you can create a team and an Office 365 Group at the same time in Microsoft Teams by selecting “Create a team using an existing Office 365 Group” when you create the team.
How can I add members to an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
To add members to an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams, click on the “People” tab in the team, and then click on “Add members.”
How can I remove members from an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
To remove members from an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams, click on the “People” tab in the team, select the member you want to remove, and then click on “Remove from group.”
How can I access the calendar for an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
To access the calendar for an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams, click on the “General” channel in the team, and then click on the “Calendar” tab.
Can I customize the settings for an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
Yes, you can customize the settings for an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams by opening the Office 365 admin center and selecting the appropriate settings.
How can I delete an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams?
To delete an Office 365 Group in Microsoft Teams,
I’m preparing for the MS-700 exam and was wondering how important it is to focus on creating a team from existing resources?
Has anyone found that the Teams Admin Center is more intuitive for creating a team from existing resources?
What are the best practices for setting up a team using existing Office 365 Groups?
Thanks, this blog helped me a lot!
I’m struggling with using PowerShell for team creation. Any tips?
Is it possible to retain the security settings of the original resources when creating a new team?
Love the insights in this post!
For experts, how do you manage large organizational structures when creating teams from existing resources?