This post will explain best apps for microsoft teams. Unlike Slack, Microsoft Teams does not have a limit on the number of apps you can install (free). These apps help with team bonding and inter-organization communication as well as integration with other useful services such as Zoom, Github, Trello, Salesforce, and others. So, to improve your communication, here are the best Microsoft Teams apps
9 Microsoft Teams Apps That Will Improve Your Communication
In this article, you can know about best apps for microsoft teams here are the details below;
How do I get into the Teams Apps?
Microsoft Teams comes pre-loaded with a number of apps that can be accessed by clicking on the three buttons in the sidebar or just below the chatbox. To access the Microsoft Teams app store, click “More apps >” at the bottom of the app view dialogue box. You can also remove apps from your account or workspace by right-clicking on it and selecting Uninstall.
1. Polly
Polly allows you to take quick polls in meetings, DMs, and even group meetings. It is completely free and allows you to create an unlimited number of polls in various formats such as multiple choice, Yes or No, ratings-based polls, and so on. The anonymity toggle was the coolest option I could find. It hides the responders’ names and can be a useful tool for gathering genuine, authentic feedback.
Overview:
- Initiate one-on-one polls and video calls in DMs quickly.
- Polls can be scheduled and results can be viewed in real time.
- Toggle anonymity to keep responders’ identities hidden.
2. Evernote
Because, you know, Microsoft, OneNote comes pre-installed with Microsoft Teams. You can use the Evernote application for Microsoft Teams if you use Evernote for note-taking. Within Microsoft Teams, the application allows you to share and collaborate on notes.
Overview:
- Easily share your Evernote notes.
- Allows multiple people to work together in Microsoft Teams.
3. Trello
Trello is a project management tool that we use to collaborate on projects and jot down new ideas. The Microsoft Teams Application for Trello doesn’t add much functionality, but it does allow you to quickly share a card. Within a DM or group chat, you can quickly search the Trello card text and link by typing @Trello.
Overview:
- Trello cards can be quickly searched and shared.
- Create, schedule, and add to your to-do list Trello cards have a due date.
4. RememberThis
You can bookmark messages in teams so that you can access them later. But, more often than not, it fails, and you forget to return to the message you bookmarked. RememberThis makes this task easier by allowing you to set a timed reminder for the message or thread. All you have to do is mention the day and time in the message and tag RememberThis.
This is a useful tool, but it only works in a message thread. It would be really helpfull if you could not set reminders for older messages.
Overview:
- Ability to set reminders by using simples English Commands like “Remind me at 3 pm”
5. Zoom Meetings
If you outsource work to other organisations, it’s tough to bring everyone on board to Microsoft Teams. The Zoom Meetings application lets you bring people outside the organisation onto a simple video conference. In case you do not know, Zoom is a video conferencing application that lets you host video conferences with 100 people for free. The attendees do not require signing up as well. I also found the Zoom application for Microsoft Teams to be comparatively better than Slack as it provides you a GUI to configure and schedule meetings instead of mere commands.
Overview:
- Start, join, and share the Zoom meetings from within Teams
- Schedule and configure the Zoom meetings with a GUI within Teams
6. Freehand drawing
Microsoft Teams already has a whiteboard, but it’s only active during video calls and only allows for inking. For whiteboard collaboration, try InVision’s Freehand. It has more shapes than the MS Whiteboard, such as rectangles, lines, and circles. You can also present the whiteboard without having to make a video call. We use it oftens to storyboard our YouTube videos Intros. It can also be used to talk about and collaborate on Sprint programming models, wireframe designs, prototyping, and other related topics.
Moreover, Freehand can also be accessed during the video calls so you can share your ongoing prototypes.
Overview:
- Having the ability to collaborates in real time without having to make a video call
- When compared to Microsoft Whiteboard, it has better shapes and image support.
- Better in handling wireframes and storyboards
7. million
The Mio application is a great solution to bridge the gaps between Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Webex Teams. While Microsoft does provides a Slack connector, it limits the functionality to only joining a Slack channel from within Teams. DMs and normal chats will go unnoticed, and you will only be notified if your ID is mentioned.
On the other hand, Mio creates an universal channel wherein you can invite you Slack or Webex contacts. Additionally, you can operate within the Teams window’s and even DM a Slack contact. Mio provides free creation and operations of 1 universal channel. Post that, you have to pay the $10/month per universal channel.
Overview:
- Universal channel helps links Slack, Webex Teams, MS Teams
- Abililty to send emojis, GIFs, etcs and delete send messages
- Channels and DM communication both work
8. Friday
Back in Slack, we used Birthday Bots to keep track of everyone’s birth dates. Unfortunately, we could not find an exact alternative in Microsoft Teams. Hence, we started using the Friday app. It’s a vast workflow and reminder application but it can send repetitive reminders to channels. This way I use it flexibly to sends daily reminders to DMs as well as repetitives birthday reminders to the Teams’ channels.
Overview:
- Can multitask both as birthday & daily reminders
- Various built-in templates to sets morning, weekly reminders
- Ability to send organization wide reminders, kudos, messages
9. Stack Overflow
Stack Overflow is a very helpful tools to quickly search and post programming questions from within the Microsoft Teams. I use it a lot of during video conferences to gets through brain-storming sessions. The application is paid but it lets you do all the stuff that you could do on the Stack Overflow webs from within the Teams window.
Overview:
- Quickly search, post, views, share questions and results from Stack Overflow
- Set up to receive newsletters from the Stack Overflow on certain topics
Closing Words
Most of the applications in this list are in quite generic and you should be using them irrespective of the nature of the organization. In case you are migrating from Slack, Microsofts Teams is a vast and complex application and has its learning curve. Unlike Slack, it tends to be slightly intimidating on the start. For more issues or queries regarding, lets me know in the comments below
