Whiteboard is the canvas to express your creativity and give shape to your imagination.
The Microsoft Teams whiteboard is the digital version of an ordinary board, allowing you to draw, write and insert different shapes, images, and reactions in a Teams meeting.
Whiteboards have plenty of possibilities, and I’ll show you how you can use them effortlessly in your meetings.So, let’s start.
How to Use Whiteboard in Microsoft Teams
Using the whiteboard is the easy and quickest way to share your imagination. Users can share their thoughts and collaborate with other participants innovatively in Teams meetings by drawing, adding notes and texts, including reactions, and inserting images.
The whiteboard works on both desktop clients and browsers. If you’re having browser difficulties, you must check the compatibility to fix Microsoft Teams isn’t supported on browser issues.
But before starting to draw on your whiteboard, you need to open it first. Check the following steps to open the whiteboard on your Teams app and the web version.
Here is the process to open whiteboard in Microsoft Teams:
- Launch Microsoft Teams.
- Open a meeting.
- Press on Share from the toolbar.
- Select the whiteboard.
- Click on New Whiteboard to start drawing.
A white canvas will appear, and you can start interacting with it. But, if you see it black, consider fixing the Microsoft Teams black screen issue before using the whiteboard.
If everything appears perfect, read the following methods of using different features of the Teams whiteboard and decorate your canvas.
Here are the ways of using the whiteboard in Microsoft Teams:
1. Draw & Ink
The drawing tool is beneficial for colorizing your whiteboard and marking items quickly. Microsoft offers 15 ink colors and various thicknesses for your painting.
Follow the instructions below to use the draw and ink features on the whiteboard.
Here are the steps to use the draw and ink feature in Teams:
- Choose Inking (pen icon) from the left pane or press Alt + W.
- Select the pen from the top ink toolbar.
- Click on the pen twice to change the color and thickness from the drop-down menu.
- Draw with the pen on the whiteboard.
You can select the Eraser from the ink toolbar to clear your drawings. If you are a spectator and can’t see the window, fix the shared screen issue in MS Teams to see the whiteboard.
2. Add Notes
Inserting a note is an effortless way to describe your drawings or the intention behind an idea. You can add notes and change the size of notes by following the process below.
Here is the method to add notes on Teams whiteboard:
- Press Create from the left pane.
- Select Notes from the options.
- Choose the note color.
- Click on the whiteboard to insert the notes.
- Type your text in the notes.
Users can drag and change the notes’ position according to their preferences.
3. Insert Text
The text box is a simpler form of notes. But you can customize the fonts and colors to make it animated.
Consider following the steps below if you want to add text instead of notes.
Here is the procedure to insert text in the Microsoft Teams whiteboard:
- Click on Create from the left side.
- Choose the Text option.
- Press on the whiteboard to place the text box.
- Type your lines in the text box.
You can also edit the text, change the color or copy the box using the text box toolbar.
4. Add Shape
Drawing a straight line or circle is difficult with your bare hand. You can add a shape and quickly change the dimension to save time.
Read the following procedures to insert a shape on your Microsoft Teams whiteboard.
Here is how you can add shapes on the Teams whiteboard:
- Press on the Create option from the left pane.
- Click on Shapes.
- Choose your preferred shapes.
- Press on the whiteboard to insert the shape.
- Write text on the shapes or ignore the text box.
You can add lines, rectangles, circles and other shapes to your whiteboard and change their size according to your preference.
5. Add Reactions
Inserting a reaction is the best way to cheer people up in a meeting and make communication easier. You can add many reactions to your whiteboard and make it look nicer.
Consider reading the following steps to add reactions to your MS Teams whiteboard.
Here is the way to insert reactions on your Teams whiteboard:
- Click on the Create icon.
- Press on Reactions.
- Select your desired emoji.
- Click on the board to place the emoji.
Users can choose thumbs up, star, love, smile emoji and other reactions from the list.
Sometimes people face problems with inserting emojis into their Teams. But, you can quickly fix your problem with emojis in Teams and use reactions in your meeting whiteboard.
6. Attach an Image
Including an image in your Microsoft Teams whiteboard can ease describing a plan. Follow the instructions carefully to attach an image to your Teams whiteboard.
Here are the steps to add an image to your Teams whiteboard:
- Go to the Create option.
- Scroll down and click on Images.
- Choose the My Device or Bing Images option.
- Select the image and press OK.
It will insert an image to your Teams meeting whiteboard. You can resize the image to fit on the whiteboard.
7. Use a Ruler
If you are drawing or adding a shape with an exact proportion, using the ruler is vital to correct the size and angle.
Let me guide you through the ruler adding option and change the angle in your Teams whiteboard.
Here is the process to use the ruler option in Microsoft Teams whiteboard:
- Press on the Inking option from the left pane.
- Select Ruler from the top ink toolbar.
- Use the mouse scroll wheel to rotate the ruler.
You can select the ruler option again to remove it from your Teams meeting whiteboard.
8. Insert Template
A template is a simpler way to insert a model and modify the options with your desired text. Read the process below for adding a template on your Microsoft Teams whiteboard.
Here is the method to add a template for your Teams whiteboard:
- Navigate to the Create option from the left pane.
- Scroll down and select Templates.
- Choose your template category.
- Drag and drop the preferred template on the whiteboard from the list.
- Edit and change the text of the template.
You can choose your templates from Brainstorming, Problem solving, Design and research, Strategy, Project planning, Retrospective, Games, Workshops, and Learning categories.
9. Change Collaboration Settings
Working as a team is necessary for a project or executing a plan for your company. The collaboration settings allow users to add multiple editors and work together like documents in Teams.
The following method will describe the ways to change the collaboration settings in the Teams whiteboard.
Here is the process to add collaboration settings in MS Teams whiteboard:
- Open the whiteboard in a meeting.
- Press the gear icon at the top right corner.
- Enable the Other participants can edit option.
10. Export Whiteboard
Similarly, with the recording option in Teams meeting, the whiteboard saves your progress and allows you to export the whiteboard as an image to your local storage.
Read the following procedures to export the whiteboard and save it to your device.
Here is the way to export the whiteboard as an image in MS Teams:
- Go to your whiteboard.
- Press on Settings from the top right side.
- Click on the Export image option.
- Select the Standard resolution or High resolution option to choose the image size.
- Press on Export.
- Choose the location and click on Save.
After saving the whiteboard as an image, you can share it with others or send it as a media file.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the whiteboard in MS Teams?
To use the whiteboard in Microsoft Teams, start a Meeting > Share > Whiteboard > New Whiteboard.
Can I use the whiteboard on the Microsoft Teams mobile client?
Yes, you can use the whiteboard feature on Microsoft Teams mobile client. It’s also available in the desktop client.
Can everyone write on the whiteboard in Teams?
Yes, everyone in the meeting can write on a Teams whiteboard if the collaboration settings are enabled.
Conclusions
Whiteboards help you organize your ideas and make it easier for people to understand your thoughts.
I’ve provided easy ways to use various whiteboard features in an MS Teams meeting and improve your teaching and teamwork.
Share your experience in the comment box below, and I’ll see you in the next article. Cheers!
