MC974361 – (Updated) Microsoft Teams: Edit your display name in meetings (archived)

Product:

Microsoft 365 admin center, Teams, Windows

Platform:

Mac, Online, US Instances, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

122934

Details:

Summary:
Participants in Microsoft Teams meetings will soon be able to edit their display names for the meeting duration. This feature, available on desktop and web apps, is off by default and can be enabled by admins and meeting organizers. Name changes will not affect original People card names or permanent meeting artifacts.

Details:
Updated June 2, 2025: We have updated the timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
In Microsoft Teams, while in a live meeting, participants will soon be able to edit their display name for the duration of the meeting. This name change is for the meeting duration only and does not affect a participant's original name on their People card.
This feature is available for participants using the Teams desktop and web apps for both Windows and Mac.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 122934.
[When this will happen:]
Targeted Release: We will begin rolling out early March 2025 (previously February) and expect to complete by mid-March 2025 (previously mid-February).
General Availability (Worldwide, GCC): We will begin rolling out early April 2025 (previously mid-March) and expect to complete by mid-April 2025 (previously early April).
General Availability (GCC High, DoD): We will begin rolling out late April 2025 (previously early April) and expect to complete by mid-June 2025 (previously mid-May).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
Standard Release

Created:
2025-01-08

updated:
2025-06-03

Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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MS Urgency

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linked item details

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Pictures

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Display Name Confusion
Participants may change their display names to something unrecognizable, leading to confusion during meetings and potential miscommunication.
   - roles: Meeting Participants, Meeting Organizers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=122934

Lack of Training and Documentation
If users are not informed about the new feature, they may not know how to utilize it effectively, leading to a poor user experience and frustration.
   - roles: IT Administrators, End Users
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=122934

Configutation Options**

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Data Protection**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Imagine you're at a conference where everyone has a name tag. Typically, these name tags display your full name as registered. However, sometimes you might prefer to use a nickname or a shorter version of your name for a more casual or personal touch during the event. Microsoft Teams is introducing a similar concept for its meetings. Participants will soon have the option to temporarily change their display name during a meeting, much like writing a preferred name on a name tag for the duration of a conference.

This new feature is designed to offer flexibility and personalization without altering any permanent records. Just as your official conference registration details remain unchanged despite the name on your tag, your original name in Teams, known as the People card name, stays the same. This means that any official documents or records, like meeting transcripts or attendance reports, will still reflect your original name.

The feature will be available on both desktop and web versions of Teams for Windows and Mac users. It's initially turned off by default, much like a feature that needs to be activated by the event organizer. Admins and meeting organizers can enable it, allowing participants to change their display names during meetings. Once enabled, participants can easily update their names through the Participants panel, and these changes will be visible only during the meeting. An "(edited)" label will appear next to names that have been changed, providing transparency.

This change is being rolled out in stages, with different timelines for various user groups, such as general users and government organizations. It’s a useful feature for meetings where participants might want to use a different name for clarity or personal preference, without affecting any official records or future meetings.