Creating Shortcuts to Teams Files

kb article

Microsoft Teams provides a convenient way to collaborate and share files within your team channels. By creating shortcuts to specific files or folders, you can quickly access team content through OneDrive in Windows File Explorer or macOS's Finder.

Audience

This article is intended for IC faculty and staff.

Platform

Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Prerequisite

To access OneDrive files through Windows files Explorer or macOS Finder, the OneDrive sync client must be installed. OneDrive comes pre-installed on College-owned Windows and Mac devices. If it's not available, visit https://www.onedrive.com/download to install the latest version.

Creating a Shortcut

  1. In Microsoft Teams, go to the team where the channel is located.
  2. Click on the desired channel to open it.
  3. Click on the Shared tab to access the files associated with that channel.
  4. In the Files toolbar under the (...) More commands menu, select Add shortcut to OneDrive, then select Shortcuts.
    An image of options under the (...) More commands button with Add shortcut to OneDrive and Shortcuts highlgihted.
     
  5. The shortcut will be saved in a Shortcuts folder in your OneDrive, where you can access it from Windows File Explorer or macOS Finder.

Choose a shortcut location:

  • Selecting Add shortcut to OneDrive -> Shortcuts saves the shortcut in OneDrive in a Shortcuts folder. Alternatively, selecting Add shortcut to OneDrive > My files saves the shortcut at the root level of your OneDrive.

Shortcut and Sync Options:

OneDrive Shortcut and Sync Options

Menu option

OneDrive on the web

File Explorer or Finder

Available on other devices?

Recommendation

Add shortcut to OneDrive > Shortcuts

Appears inside the Shortcuts folder

Appears inside OneDrive – Ithaca College > Shortcuts

Yes. The shortcut is associated with your OneDrive and appears on devices where you sign in to OneDrive.

Recommended for keeping shortcuts organized in one location.

Add shortcut to OneDrive > My files

Appears at the root level of My files

Appears at the root level of OneDrive – Ithaca College

Yes. The shortcut is associated with your OneDrive and appears on devices where you sign in to OneDrive.

Use if you prefer the shortcut at the top level of OneDrive.

Sync

Does not add a shortcut to My files

 The synced SharePoint or Teams library appears under the Ithaca College organization location in File Explorer or Finder.

No. Sync must be configured separately on each device.

Not recommended for new connections. Use Add shortcut to OneDrive when available.

If you previously used Sync:

  • If you previously used the Sync option to sync files to your computer, selecting the Add shortcut to OneDrive option should prompt you to convert the synced library to a shortcut.
  • Microsoft is moving away from the Sync button experience. For a more consistent experience across Windows and Mac devices, and when transitioning to a new computer through technology renewal, use Add shortcuts to OneDrive and select Shortcuts.

Accessing the Shortcut

  1. In Windows File Explorer or macOS Finder, navigate to OneDrive - Ithaca College.
  2. Shortucts added to Shortcuts will appear in the Shortcuts folder. Shortcuts added to My files will appear at the root level of your OneDrive using the format: {Channel Name} - {Team Name}.
Print Article