MC1133511 – Emoji Reactions Workflows in Microsoft Teams

Product:

eDiscovery, Entra, Microsoft 365 Apps, Purview Data Loss Prevention, Purview Information Protection, Teams

Platform:

Online, US Instances, World tenant

Status:

Rolling out

Change type:

New feature, User impact

Links:

498578

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Teams will enable triggering workflows via emoji reactions using the Workflows app, streamlining task automation. Available from late July 2025, this feature requires the Workflows app enabled and not blocked by DLP policies. Admins should review settings and raise user awareness to prepare.

Details:
We're introducing a new way to automate tasks in Microsoft Teams using emoji reactions. With the Workflows app, users can now trigger workflows by reacting to messages with emojis in chats or channels. This feature helps streamline collaboration, reduce manual follow-ups, and accelerate response times. For example, reacting with ❗️can escalate a support issue, while 👀 can route a message to the appropriate team.
This change is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 498578
When this will happen
Public Preview (Worldwide): Late July 2025 - Early August 2025
General Availability (Worldwide): Early August 2025 - Mid August 2025
General Availability (GCC): Late October 2025 - Mid November 2025

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Preview

Created:
2025-08-12

updated:
2025-08-12

Public Preview Start Date

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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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MS workload name

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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

Workflow Automation Disruption
If the Workflows app is not enabled or blocked by DLP policies, users will be unable to trigger workflows using emoji reactions, leading to delays in task automation and collaboration.
   - roles: IT Admin, End User
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters%3D&searchterms=498578

User Experience Decline
Without proper user awareness and training, users may struggle to utilize the new emoji reaction feature effectively, resulting in confusion and decreased productivity.
   - roles: End User, Team Leader
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?rtc=1%26filters%3D&searchterms=498578

Configutation Options**

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Data Protection**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft Teams is introducing a new feature that allows users to automate tasks using emoji reactions. Imagine you're at a party, and instead of telling someone directly what you need, you use hand signals. A thumbs-up might mean "Great job," while a waving hand could mean "Come over here." Similarly, in Teams, when you react to a message with an emoji, it can trigger a pre-set workflow to perform a specific task.

For instance, if you react with a specific emoji, it could automatically escalate a support issue or route a message to the correct team. This is like having a magic button that, when pressed, gets things done without you having to lift a finger. The Workflows app in Teams will manage these tasks, and you can either use pre-made templates or create your own custom workflows.

To use this feature, the Workflows app must be enabled in your Teams environment, and it shouldn't be blocked by Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies. Think of DLP policies as security guards that prevent certain actions from happening if they might lead to data loss or breaches. If these guards are blocking the Workflows app, the emoji-triggered tasks won't work.

Admins need to ensure that the Workflows app is enabled and that the emoji reaction triggers are not blocked by these security policies. This way, users can start using this feature to make their work processes more efficient. It's a bit like making sure the right permissions are set so everyone can use the new tool effectively.

Overall, this feature aims to make collaboration smoother and faster by reducing the need for manual follow-ups and accelerating response times. It's a small change that can have a big impact on how teams work together.