---
title: Move your daily work from Teams to Spaces
type: explanation
section: spaces
summary: Match everyday Teams tasks to Spaces, and check your institution's guidance for old messages, files, and meeting links.
applies_to:
  clients: [web]
sources:
  - evolve-front-end/components/team-chat/page-nav/team-chat-space-rail.tsx
  - evolve-front-end/components/team-chat/page-nav/nav-destination-header.tsx
  - evolve-front-end/components/team-chat/voice/voice-header-action.tsx
  - evolve-front-end/app/i18n/locales/en/team-chat.json
verified:
  at: 2026-09-24
  env: code
  by: spaces-staff-launch
ttl_days: 45
related: [spaces/get-started, spaces/direct-messages, spaces/share-a-file, spaces/start-or-join-a-call]
---

For daily conversations, use a Space and its channels for group work, and **DMs** for messages to one person or a small group. Ask your institution where to find older Teams material and which meeting links to use during the changeover.

## Where to do common tasks

| You want to | In Spaces |
| --- | --- |
| Talk with a team or project | Open its Space, then choose a channel under **Channels**. |
| Message one person or a small group | Choose **DMs**, then **New direct message**. |
| Answer one part of a conversation | Choose **Reply in thread** on the message. |
| Draw someone's attention to a message | Type `@` and choose the person from the suggestions. |
| Share a document | Choose **Add attachment and tools** in the message box, then upload it or choose one from Drive. |
| Join a live conversation | Open the channel and choose its join-call button if a call is running, or **Start call** to begin one. |
| Catch up | Choose **Unread** or **Mentions**, or open **Search Spaces**. |

Spaces belongs to the Account you are using. A Space contains channels, and each channel contains messages and threads. See [Get started in Spaces](/help/spaces/get-started) for the first steps and [What a Space is](/help/spaces/what-a-space-is) for the layout.

## Older material and meetings

Do not assume old Teams chats, channels, files, recordings, or meeting links appear in Spaces. This help describes the Spaces controls available now; it does not confirm a transfer of previous content or scheduled meetings. Follow your institution's migration and retention guidance before relying on an old link or moving a document. If a Space or channel you need is missing, ask its administrator for access.

## Related

- [Send a direct message](/help/spaces/direct-messages)
- [Share a file in a channel](/help/spaces/share-a-file)
- [Start or join a call](/help/spaces/start-or-join-a-call)
- [You cannot see a Space](/help/spaces/you-cannot-see-a-space)