The ability to schedule Microsoft Teams chat messages is the update we were all waiting for.
We’ve all been there. Remembering something important at 10pm, but not wanting to disturb a colleague.
Or wanting to prepare a message in advance and send it at the right time.
With the Microsoft Teams’ scheduled chat message feature, you can write your message whenever suits you, and set it to be sent later, during work hours or at a time that works best for your team.
At Cloud Design Box, we’ve been supporting organisations to work smarter with Microsoft 365 for 10 years, so we created this guide to show you:
What is scheduled chat in Teams?
Scheduled messages allow you to write what you want to say now and send it later.
You can schedule a message in one-on-one chats, group chats and even channels.
Perfect for:
- Respecting work/life boundaries.
- Communicating across different time zones or shifts.
- Planning messages in advance during busy times.
Why schedule Teams chat messages?
One of the questions we’re asked a lot by customers is “can you schedule Teams messages?”
The answer is “yes”.
And there are countless reasons why the Teams scheduled chat feature is really useful:
Respect staff wellbeing
By scheduling chats during work hours, you avoid sending messages late at night or over the weekend and respect your colleagues’ right to disconnect.
Stay organised
Scheduling messages in Teams allows you to plan reminders, follow-ups or weekly updates in advance. You can batch-create messages at a set time and schedule them to go out when you need people to read them.
Work flexible hours
Message scheduling in Teams gives you the freedom to work hours that suit you, without disturbing others. Great if you work evenings, part-time or in a different time zone.
Reduce distractions
Scheduled messages arrive when people are available to act on them, not in the middle of the night or at the weekend.
How to schedule chat messages in Teams
Scheduling messages in Teams is easy. Below, we outline each step.
- Navigate to Teams.
- Type your message in the chat you wish to schedule a message for.
- Select Actions and apps (the + symbol).
- Select Schedule message (the paper aeroplane and clock symbol).
- Choose the date and time you wish to schedule the message for.
- Tap Continue.
- Select Send (the paper aeroplane).
Your chat message will be sent automatically at the time you set.
Tip
In mobile, you must long-press the send symbol, this will then bring up a date and time for you to choose from.
How to edit a scheduled chat message
Sometimes we schedule a message, only to realise we’ve made a mistake or want to add more to it.
Luckily, it’s easy to edit scheduled messages in Microsoft Teams.
- Go to your scheduled message, hover over it and select Edit (pencil symbol).
- Edit your chat message.
- Select Done.
Tip
In mobile, you must long-press the message to bring up the option to Edit.
How to change the time of your scheduled chat message
If you need to change the time of your scheduled message in Teams, follow the steps below:
- Go to your scheduled message, hover over it and select Edit (pencil symbol).
- Select the down arrow next to the date and time.
- Choose a new date and time to schedule your message.
- Tap Continue, then Done.
Tip
In mobile, you must long press the message to bring up the option to Reschedule.
How to delete a scheduled chat message
Mistakes happen. Or you may realise you no longer need to send a scheduled message. You can delete a scheduled message in Teams by following these steps:
- Go to your scheduled message.
- Select More options (…).
- Tap Delete (bin symbol).
- This will delete your message.
Tip
In mobile, you must long press the message to bring up the option to Delete.
At Cloud Design Box, we’ve been supporting organisations to work smarter and make the most out of their investment into Microsoft 365, SharePoint and Teams for 10 years. We turn the tools you already have into timesaving, streamlined solutions.
If you’re ready to reduce admin, improve collaboration, and keep your data secure, we’re here to help.
