Issue/Question
- How do I manage files (uploading and downloading, etc.) in MS Teams?
Resolution
Microsoft Teams allows you to collect all your team related files in a single window, collaborate in real-time and share files easily. However, Microsoft Teams uses different storage methods your files, depending on the application you are using while inside Teams. The files will go either into a OneDrive area or the Teams SharePoint.
To see your files:
- Click on
.
You will see three folders for viewing file - Recent, Microsoft Teams and OneDrive.
The Microsoft Teams folder will show you the files in the SharePoint area and the OneDrive folder will show you all the files in the Teams and personal OneDrive space.
The Recent folder setting is the default. It will show you the most recently viewed files both in the SharePoint and OneDrive areas.
How files storage works on Microsoft Teams
As mentioned, in Microsoft Teams, there two types of storage, files contained in the SharePoint area and files contained in the OneDrive area, including both the Teams and personal spaces. Depending on what the files are used for, they will go into one area for the other.
SharePoint
If you share files on a channel, the files will store in account's Microsoft Teams SharePoint folder. To see the folder:
- Click
.
- Click
.
- Click
.
You will see the files stored in the SharePoint area.
All the files will appear on the right side. From this view the location is usually identified as /sites/folder/filename.
- If you don't see a particular file, click
(refresh) at the top-right corner.
Files stored in the Microsoft Teams SharePoint area are only accessible to channel members.
OneDrive
Files privately shared with one or more people will be stored in the Teams OneDrive folder.
To access those files:
- Click
.
- Click
.
- Click
.
You will see the OneDrive area. This example is a combination of the Teams and personal OneDrive areas.
To access files stored in the folders:
- Click the appropriate folder, continue down if there are sub folders.
You will see the files contained within the folder.
- Click the file you need to open.
The Teams space is basically the same menu configuration as your personal OneDrive. You will see command drop-down lists for creating new Office documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), buttons to upload and download selected files, to create a shareable link, synch your files between two locations and open the full OneDrive application in Office 365.
How to upload files on Microsoft Teams
The steps for uploading and sharing files are different depending on whether you're using the chat or team channels.
Upload files to Microsoft Teams (SharePoint) folder
You can manage files stored in the Microsoft Teams SharePoint folder from the Files tab. However, you cannot upload files from here.
The only way to upload files to this storage is to share the file directly into the group channel. To upload, follow these steps:
- Click
.
- Select the team (channel).
- Click
from the message section.
- Click
.
- Select the file.
- Click Open.
- Click Send.
The file will appear in the conversation text box.
Once uploaded, the files will be visible for anyone in the channel, and will be listed in the Microsoft Teams Files SharePoint area. 
Upload files to OneDrive folder
You can upload files to the OneDrive area directly from another location. However, these files will only be available to you.
Upload files into a chat conversation
You can add files to your chat by attaching the file into a conversation text box.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Click
.
- Click
.
- Select a chat, or start a new one.
- Click
from the message section.
- Click
or
, if the file has been already uploaded.
In this example, the file is being uploaded from a hard drive.
- Select the file.
- Click Open.
- Click Send.
Once uploaded, the recipients will be able to access the file from the chat history folder, labeled Microsoft Teams Chat Files.
Only you will be able to access the file through the OneDrive folder in Files.
You can also use the Files tab inside of either Teams or Chat to quickly access the files shared in those areas.
Uploading files directly without sharing
You can upload files directly to the OneDrive folder using the Files tab.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Click
.
- Click
.
- Click
.
- Click
.
- Select the files you wish to upload.
- Click Open.
Download files
To download a file on Microsoft Teams, follow these steps:
- Click
.
- Choose the appropriate channel.
- Find the file you wish to download in the conversation text box.
- Hover over the file and click […] (more options).
- Select
.
The document will be download in your Downloads folder.
You can also:
- Click the file to open it in Teams.
- Click the
from the top-right side.
Share files
You can create a shareable link of a file, which you can then send to other people. To share a file available on Teams, follow these steps:
- Click
.
- Hover over the file, click […] (more options).
- Choose Get Link to copy the link to the clipboard.
- Click
.
Paste the link into an via email or instant messaging.
Note: You can send the link to anyone, but only Team members within the channel will be able to access the file.