Get started using Operator Connect

This article is for end users of Operator Connect in Microsoft Teams. It does not cover admin setup.

It’s easy to get started with Operator Connect in Microsoft Teams. This guide shows you how to make and receive calls using your business phone number, find your number, and manage your contacts. It also covers where to check important settings, such as your emergency location if you’re working remotely.

You can also learn how to get started with Teams calling with this handy YouTube video.

Find your number in Operator Connect

You can find your Operator Connect phone number in the Calls tab in Microsoft Teams. To locate your number:

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Select Calls (usually located on the left-hand menu, or at the bottom of the screen on mobile).
3. Your phone number is displayed below the dial pad.

Make a call using the Calls tab

To make a call directly from the Calls tab using the dial pad or by entering a number:

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Select Calls (usually located on the left-hand menu, or at the bottom of the screen on mobile).
3. Use the dial pad to enter a phone number or type the number using your keyboard.
4. Select the Call button to place the call.

Make a call using your contact list

To make a call quickly by selecting someone from your saved contacts:

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Select Calls from the menu on the left.
3. Select Contacts at the top of the screen.
4. Find the person you want to call.
5. Select the Call icon next to their name.

Add people to your contact list

Add people to your contact list so they’re easier to find when making or receiving calls. To add a new contact:

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Select Calls from the left-hand menu.
3. Select Contacts, then choose Add contact.
4. Enter the name or email address of the person you want to add.
5. Select the contact from the search results, then select Add.

Make a call from the command bar

The command bar is a quick, keyboard-first way to make calls from anywhere in Teams. To make a call using the command bar:

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. At the top of the Teams window, select the search and command bar (this is the box in the centre of the top menu).
3. Type /call, then enter the name or number of the person you want to call.
4. Press Enter on your keyboard to start the call.

Placing a call from the chat tab

Making a call from the Chat tab is a quick and intuitive way to speak to your contacts, especially when you’re already in a conversation.

If your chat includes multiple people, selecting a call option will start a group (conference) call. Each participant will need to accept the call before you can speak with them. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Teams and select Chat from the left-hand menu.
2. Open the conversation you want to call.
3. In the top right corner of the chat, select either Audio call or Video call to start your call.

Placing a call from anywhere in Teams

You can place a call from anywhere in Microsoft Teams using a contact’s profile card. To place a call using a contact card:

1. Open Microsoft Teams and find the contact in a chat, team, or channel.
2. Hover over the contact’s profile picture (or select their name) to open their contact card.
3. In the contact card, select Audio call or Video call to start your call.

You can also use the contact card to start other actions, such as sending an email or instant message.

US/Canada-based remote workers

If you’re working remotely in the US or Canada, you’ll need to make sure your emergency location is set correctly before making or receiving calls.

You can see your current location below the phone keypad in Microsoft Teams. This is the address that emergency services will use if you make an emergency call, so it must be accurate.

Before you start calling, you should check if your emergency address is correct. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Go to the Calls tab.
3. Look below the dial pad (phone keypad) to check your current location.
4. If it’s missing or incorrect, you’ll need to update it.

To update your address or for more detail, see Emergency location settings in Operator Connect.