To start a Whiteboard session in Microsoft Teams, click “Share” during a meeting, then select “Whiteboard”; tools include Pen, Text, Shape recognition, Sticky notes, Laser pointer, and image insertion; for better collaboration, use layers, save your work, work asynchronously, and share with others. Common issues like Whiteboard not loading or missing tools can usually be resolved by updating Teams or switching to the desktop app.

Using the Whiteboard in Microsoft Teams is a great way to collaborate visually during meetings or group work. It’s like having a shared canvas where everyone can draw, write, add sticky notes, and brainstorm together — even when you're not in the same room.

How to Start a Whiteboard Session in Teams

To begin using Whiteboard in a Teams meeting, follow these steps:

• During a call or meeting, click on the “Share” button at the bottom of the screen.
• From the dropdown menu, select “Whiteboard”.
• If it's your first time using it, you may need to wait a moment while it loads.
• Once open, you can start drawing or typing right away.

Note: Only one person needs to initiate the whiteboard — others in the meeting will see it once they accept the prompt to join the session.

Tools and Features You Can Use

The Whiteboard app comes with several tools that make collaboration easy and flexible:

• Pen tool: Use this for freehand drawing or writing. You can change the color, thickness, and style.
• Text tool: Click anywhere to type text. This is handy for labeling diagrams or adding quick notes.
• Shape recognition: Draw shapes like circles, rectangles, or arrows — the tool will automatically clean them up for you.
• Sticky notes: Add virtual sticky notes to brainstorm ideas. You can move and resize them easily.
• Laser pointer: Useful for guiding attention during live sessions without making permanent marks.

You can also insert images and use the “Select and Move” tool to rearrange elements on the board.

Tips for Better Collaboration

Here are a few practical tips to make the most out of your Whiteboard sessions:

• Use layers wisely: If things get cluttered, try organizing content into different layers so you can hide or show them as needed.
• Save your work: Always remember to save the whiteboard before ending the meeting. Others might want to view or continue working on it later.
• Work asynchronously: You don’t have to be in a meeting to use Whiteboard. You can open it anytime from your Teams app, work on it alone, and share it with others later.
• Invite people outside the meeting: If someone wasn’t in the original meeting, you can still share the whiteboard file via chat or email.

Common Issues and Fixes

Sometimes things don’t go perfectly — here are a couple of common issues and how to handle them:

• Whiteboard doesn’t load? Make sure you’re using the latest version of Teams and that you have internet access. Try closing and reopening the app if it hangs.
• Can’t edit or draw? Check if you’ve been given editing permissions. The person who started the whiteboard can control who has editing rights.
• Missing tools? Some features may only be available on the desktop app — mobile versions have limited functionality.

That’s basically how you use Whiteboard in Microsoft Teams. It’s a powerful tool once you get the hang of it, but some parts (like saving properly or managing permissions) are easy to overlook.

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