There are three types of channels available to all team members in Teams: standard, private, and shared. 

Standard channel

Most channels are standard channels. 

• Standard channels are open for all team members and anything posted is searchable by others.

• By default, all members of a team can create standard channels.

• You can't convert a standard channel to a private channel and vice versa.

Private channel

Private channels are for discussions that shouldn’t be open to all team members. Use a private channel if you need a smaller, specific audience for a particular subject. Invitations to join the channel are required before you can view it within a team. 

• By default, any team owner or team member can create a private channel and add members. Guests can't create them.

• Private channels cannot be converted to a standard channel. When a private channel is created, it's linked to the parent team and cannot be moved to a different team.

• Files that you share in a channel (viewable on the Files tab) are stored in SharePoint. 

Shared channel

Shared channels are for collaborating with people inside and outside your team or organization. 

• Only team owners can create shared channels.

• Only shared channel owners can add members or share the channel.

• Only people who are owners or members of a shared channel can access it; invitations to join the channel are required before you can view it within a team.

• You cannot convert a shared channel into a standard or private channel and vice versa.

Additional Information

• Vendor resource (this link will take you to a link outside of Illinois State University): Standard, private, or shared channels in Microsoft Teams 

How to Get Help

Technical assistance is available through the Illinois State University Technology Support Center at:

• Phone: (309) 438-4357
• Email: SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu
• Submit a Request via Web Form: Help.IllinoisState.edu/get-it-help
• Live Chat: Help.IllinoisState.edu/get-it-help