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Microsoft Teams: Transcript Setup Guide

The ultimate guide to accessing, downloading, and using Teams transcripts across all meeting types

Updated this week

Teams transcripts are generally more accessible than recordings, and can easily be uploaded into Contented as a text transcript. However, Teams' transcription is average, and not as great as Contented's transcription, so please note this.

Key Advantages of Transcripts:

  1. More permissive access - viewers can copy/paste even when they can't download

  2. Faster processing - ready immediately after meetings

  3. Multiple formats - .docx (editable) and .vtt (web standard)

  4. Easy coping and pasting

Meeting Type

Download Access

Copy/Paste Access

Teams Channel Meetings

✅ All channel members

✅ All channel members

Private Meetings

⚠️ Organiser/Co-organiser only

✅ All invited participants

External Meetings

⚠️ Internal organiser/co-organiser

✅ Internal participants


📥 How to Access Transcripts (All Methods)

Method 1: Meeting Chat → Recap (Universal)

  1. Open Teams → Chat tab

  2. Find meeting chat from the meeting

  3. Click "Recap" section

  4. Select "Transcript" tab

  5. Options:

    • View online → Copy/paste sections

    • Download (if permitted) → .docx or .vtt

Method 2: Teams Calendar

  1. Open Teams → Calendar tab

  2. Find past meeting in calendar

  3. Double-click meeting → Open details

  4. Select "Recap" tab

  5. Access transcript same as Method 1

Method 3: Channel Files (Channel Meetings Only)

  1. Go to Teams channel where meeting was held

  2. Click "Files" tab

  3. Open "Recordings" folder

  4. Find transcript file (usually alongside video)

  5. Download directly from SharePoint

Method 4: OneDrive (Private Meetings)

  1. Organiser opens OneDrive

  2. Navigate to "Recordings" folder

  3. Find transcript file for the meeting

  4. Download or share with team


Troubleshooting Common Issues

"I can't find the transcript"

Possible causes:

  • Transcription wasn't enabled during meeting

  • Meeting was too short (less than a few minutes)

  • Processing still in progress

Solutions:

  • Check if recording was enabled (sometimes required)

  • Wait additional time for processing

  • Verify admin settings are correct


"External participant needs transcript"

Options:

  • Organiser downloads and shares manually

  • Share edited excerpts via email

  • Provide Contented AI insights instead

  • Use summary/notes rather than full transcript

"Copy/paste not working"

Solutions:

  • Try different browser or Teams app

  • Select smaller text sections

  • Use keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C)

  • Contact IT for browser/app updates


Quick Reference Checklist

For IT Admins:

For Team Leaders:

  • Train team on transcript access methods

  • Establish workflows for different meeting types

  • Create co-organiser protocols for external meetings

For Team Members:

  • Know how to enable transcription in meetings

  • Practice download and copy/paste methods

  • Understand which meetings allow downloads

  • Learn Contented upload process

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