To make a message “important” in Microsoft Teams, use the delivery options under the message compose box and choose Important so it shows with an exclamation mark and special styling for visibility.

What “important” means in Teams

  • Marking a message as Important adds a red exclamation icon and/or the word “IMPORTANT!” to make it stand out in chats or channels.
  • This visual cue is meant to signal urgency or priority so recipients are more likely to notice and respond promptly.

Steps on desktop (chat or channel)

  • Start a new message in a chat or channel using the normal compose box at the bottom.
  • Click the Set delivery options icon (an exclamation mark inside a circle) beneath the compose box.
  • In the small menu that opens, select Important ; a red exclamation or “IMPORTANT!” label will appear on the draft.
  • Send the message as usual; it will display with the important styling so others can easily spot it.

Keyboard shortcut (chat)

  • In Teams chat, press Ctrl + Shift + I to toggle the Important flag on the message you are composing.
  • Pressing the shortcut again before sending will remove the Important marker if you change your mind.

Marking messages on mobile

  • While composing a message in the mobile app, tap the Priority option (or similar label in the toolbar).
  • Choose Important so the app adds an “IMPORTANT!” label to your message before you send it.

Extra tips to make messages stand out

  • Use a clear subject line and short description when posting in channels so people quickly grasp the purpose.
  • Combine the Important flag with concise formatting like bold text, bullet points, and headings to highlight key actions or deadlines.

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Learn how to make a message important in Teams using delivery options, shortcuts, and mobile priority settings so your urgent messages stand out and get noticed.

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