Technology

Channel Types in Microsoft Teams

Last modified 9/9/2024

There are three types of channels available to all team members in Teams: standard, private, and shared. 

Standard channel

Most channels are standard channels. 

  • Standard channels are open for all team members and anything posted is searchable by others.

  • By default, all members of a team can create standard channels.

  • You can't convert a standard channel to a private channel and vice versa.

Private channel

Private channels are for discussions that shouldn’t be open to all team members. Use a private channel if you need a smaller, specific audience for a particular subject. Invitations to join the channel are required before you can view it within a team. 

  • By default, any team owner or team member can create a private channel and add members. Guests can't create them.

  • Private channels cannot be converted to a standard channel. When a private channel is created, it's linked to the parent team and cannot be moved to a different team.

  • Files that you share in a channel (viewable on the Files tab) are stored in SharePoint. 

Shared channel

Shared channels are for collaborating with people inside and outside your team or organization. 

Shared Channels with External Organizations

Inviting external users to shared channels and joining external shared channels is currently not available at ISU. Once this option is available, this warning will be removed.

Additionally, shared channel creation is not available for Students, Guests, Annuitants, and Grace status users.

  • Only team owners can create shared channels.

  • Only shared channel owners can add members or share the channel.

  • Only people who are owners or members of a shared channel can access it; invitations to join the channel are required before you can view it within a team.

  • You cannot convert a shared channel into a standard or private channel and vice versa.

Additional Information

How to Get Help

Technical assistance is available through the Illinois State University Technology Support Center at: