How to Create a Poll in Microsoft Teams (Chats and Meetings)
"Which date works for everyone?" can spark a 40-message thread. A poll gets the answer in a minute. Teams has polls built in for chats, channels and meetings.
Create a poll in a chat or channel
1. Open the chat or channel.
2. Click + (or ⋯ Actions and apps) under the message box.
3. Choose Polls. (If you don't see it, type "Polls" in the search box in that menu.)
4. Type your question and the options.
5. Choose your settings (see below).
6. Click Preview, then Send.
2. Click + (or ⋯ Actions and apps) under the message box.
3. Choose Polls. (If you don't see it, type "Polls" in the search box in that menu.)
4. Type your question and the options.
5. Choose your settings (see below).
6. Click Preview, then Send.
The poll appears as a card in the conversation. People click an option to vote and the results update as votes come in.
Poll settings
Before sending, you can choose:
• Multiple answers — let people pick more than one option.
• Share results automatically after voting — so everyone can see how others voted.
• Keep responses anonymous — hide who voted for what.
• Share results automatically after voting — so everyone can see how others voted.
• Keep responses anonymous — hide who voted for what.
Create a poll for a meeting
Meeting polls are great for quick check-ins, quizzes or decisions while everyone's together.
Prepare polls before the meeting
1. Open the meeting from your Teams Calendar.
2. Click + at the top to add an app, and choose Polls.
3. Click Save, then + New poll and create your questions.
4. Save them as drafts.
2. Click + at the top to add an app, and choose Polls.
3. Click Save, then + New poll and create your questions.
4. Save them as drafts.
Launch a poll during the meeting
1. Click Polls in the meeting toolbar (or under ⋯ More > Apps).
2. Find the poll and click Launch.
2. Find the poll and click Launch.
The poll pops up on everyone's screen. Results appear live, and you can Close the poll when you're done.
You can also create a new poll on the spot from the same Polls panel.
See results
• Results show on the poll card in the chat.
• Click View results for more detail, including who voted (if it isn't anonymous).
• Polls are powered by Microsoft Forms, so you can also find them at forms.office.com and export the responses to Excel.
• Click View results for more detail, including who voted (if it isn't anonymous).
• Polls are powered by Microsoft Forms, so you can also find them at forms.office.com and export the responses to Excel.
Ideas for polls
• Picking a date or time for a meeting
• Choosing where to go for the team lunch
• A quick "How confident do you feel?" check at the end of training
• Ice-breakers at the start of a meeting
• Prioritising tasks for the week
• Choosing where to go for the team lunch
• A quick "How confident do you feel?" check at the end of training
• Ice-breakers at the start of a meeting
• Prioritising tasks for the week
Troubleshooting
I can't find Polls. Search for "Polls" in the + menu. If it's not there, your organisation may have blocked the app — ask IT.
People can't vote. Guests and people from outside your organisation may not be able to answer, depending on your company's settings.
Wrapping up
Click + > Polls in any chat or channel for a quick decision, and add the Polls app to meetings to launch questions at the right moment. No more endless reply chains.
