Breakout Rooms in Microsoft Teams allow organizers to divide participants into smaller groups for focused discussions, activities, or collaborative work. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on creating, managing, and closing breakout rooms effectively.

Before the Meeting

Breakout rooms can only be created in scheduled Teams meetings (not in channel meetings or ad-hoc calls).

1. Schedule a meeting via the Teams Calendar.
2. Ensure you are the “meeting organizer” — only organizers can manage breakout rooms.

Creating Breakout Rooms

1. Start the meeting and click the “Breakout rooms” icon in the top meeting toolbar.
2. Select the number of rooms you want to create (up to 50).
3. Choose how participants will be assigned:
   • “Automatically”: Teams assigns participants evenly.
   • “Manually”: You assign individuals to rooms.
   • “Choose”: Participants enter the room they wish
4. Click “Create Rooms”.

Managing Breakout Rooms

• “Open/Close Rooms”: Open all rooms at once or individually.
• “Assign Participants”: Reassign people between rooms anytime.
• “Join Any Room”: Click the three dots (…) next to a room and select “Join”.
• “Rename Rooms”: Give rooms descriptive names (e.g., Group 1 – Research).

Communicating with Participants
“Send Announcement”: Click the megaphone icon to send a message to all rooms.
“Chat”: Use the room chat to share documents, links, or instructions. These chats remain accessible after the session.

Returning to the Main Meeting

• Participants can return manually or you can “close rooms”, bringing everyone back.
• Once closed, room chats remain available for continued collaboration.

Tips for Organizers

• Prepare discussion prompts or documents ahead of time.
• Monitor progress by dropping into rooms.
• Set clear time limits and objectives before opening rooms.
• Use announcements to guide students or manage time.

Need help? Contact your Teaching & Learning Center or IT Support.
Email: it@liu.edu | Ext. 3300