An emoji, GIF or sticker makes a chat a bit more human. A thumbs-up sometimes says more than a sentence, and a reaction saves you an extra "ok, thanks" in a busy channel conversation. This article shows how to use them in Microsoft Teams and Outlook, how to add your own emoji and what your admin can control.
Emoji, GIFs and stickers in Teams
- In the message box, select the emoji icon (smiley). Pick an emoji, or type a colon and a word, such as
:smile, and choose from the suggestions. - Choose the GIF tab or icon and search for a word, such as "thanks".
- Choose Stickers for a speech bubble or meme with your own text.
Depending on your window width, the GIF and sticker buttons sit right under the message box or behind the + (Actions and apps). The layout shifts now and then after an update.
The emoji window also lets you pick a skin tone for emoji with hands or faces. Teams remembers your choice.
React to a message
Hover over a message and pick a quick reaction, such as thumbs-up or heart. Use the + or smiley icon to choose from all emoji, including your organisation's custom ones. Select the same reaction again to remove it. Hover over a reaction to see who gave it.
In a meeting, reactions work differently: there you use live reactions that float over your video for a moment. Want to really thank a colleague? Praise in Teams is a nicer option.
On your phone
In the Teams app on iPhone or Android, tap the smiley in the message box for emoji, GIFs and stickers. To react, press and hold a message and pick an emoji. Your phone's keyboard has emoji too, but your organisation's custom emoji are only available through the Teams smiley.
Add your own emoji
- Open the emoji window and go to your organisation's category (usually at the bottom, with your organisation's logo or name).
- Select Add emoji.
- Upload a small, square image (PNG, JPG or GIF) with a transparent or plain background.
- Give the emoji a clear name and select Save.
Colleagues can then use it too, in messages and as a reaction. It can take a while before it shows up for everyone. Don't see the option? Your admin has turned off custom emoji, or only a limited group is allowed to add them.
Emoji in Outlook and anywhere in Windows
In the new Outlook and on the web, you'll find emoji and GIFs in a new message through the emoji icon or the Insert tab. You can also react to a received email with a thumbs-up, heart or laugh, just like in Teams. In classic Outlook, use the Windows emoji panel.
In any app in Windows, open the emoji panel with Windows + . (period). It also has GIFs, kaomoji and symbols. On a Mac, use Control + Command + Space. More handy combinations are in the most useful Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts.
Keep in mind that an emoji in an email to external people can look different, depending on the recipient's email app.
For admins
In the Teams admin center, Messaging > Messaging policies controls whether users can use GIFs, stickers and memes, and which GIF content rating applies (for example Strict or Moderate). You can create different policies, for instance stricter for students than for teachers. Custom emoji are turned on or off for the whole organisation in the messaging settings; the exact menu name can differ slightly. Want to restrict chat entirely? Read turn off chat in Teams.
Questions and answers
Why don't I see a GIF button?
Your admin has turned off GIFs in the messaging policy, or the button is hidden behind the +. After a policy change it can take a few hours before Teams reflects it.
Can I delete a custom emoji again?
Yes, the person who added it or an admin can remove it from the emoji window.
Nederlandstalige versie: Emoji's, GIF's en stickers gebruiken in Teams en Outlook