Microsoft Groups continues to evolve, and one of many current updates permits members to edit their very own show names throughout conferences. I do know, this isn’t a giant characteristic – only a assembly option- however for some it’s a massive factor. Altering you title within the assembly has been requested about for a very long time, and it may be very helpful in conferences with exterior members be part of, or when readability about roles or organizations is necessary. For instance somebody may need ( or want) to place group within the title so it’s clear for everybody who that individual is, or maybe you need to take away an pointless title half throughout conferences. In actuality, I feel we are going to see individuals utilizing their nickname in conferences – and it’s a good factor, whether it is applicable for the assembly. On this article, I’ll stroll you thru learn how to allow this characteristic from an administrative perspective, how assembly organizers can handle this functionality, and eventually, how end-users can simply replace their show names in real-time.
- Why might you want participants to edit their display names?
- Enabling the display name change (Admins)
- Allowing display name changes in meetings (for Organizers)
- How to change your display name (end-user experience)
- Considerations
Why may you need members to edit their show names?
There are a number of situations the place members may profit from altering their show names:
- Exterior members who initially be part of with unclear or generic usernames.
- Contributors representing a corporation or workforce title reasonably than their private identification.
- Making extra obvious, you’re within the assembly together with your private identification and don’t symbolize the group.
- Conditions the place readability of roles (e.g., Moderator, Speaker, Observer, Gamemaster, DM) is helpful.
Alternatively, there are circumstances the place altering show names is likely to be inappropriate or complicated:
- Formal conferences requiring verification of identities.
- Safe or delicate environments the place accountability is important.
- Danger that modifying the show title is used to identification theft, or simply showing to be one other individual. Mix this with the characteristic that was simply added to the roadmap: Real-Time text in meetings and calls, that lets members sort within the assembly whereas others’ speech is transcribed in actual time. Ie: blame the mic and simply RTT your responses.. RTT ought to roll out throughout Could 2025.
Admins and assembly organizers have to weigh these situations to determine when to permit this performance. It’s a setting in Groups assembly coverage.
Enabling the show title change (Admins)
By default, this characteristic is turned off and must be enabled by directors by way of PowerShell. The setting ought to seem in Groups Admin Heart / assembly insurance policies, however it isn’t there but.
Right here’s learn how to allow the change utilizing PowerShell for the World identification:
Set-CsTeamsMeetingPolicy -ParticipantNameChange Allow -Id World
Assembly insurance policies present flexibility by permitting completely different settings for various teams. It isn’t essential to allow the characteristic for everybody; as an alternative, you possibly can allow or disable options in response to particular must particular teams.
If you’re a Admin who hasn’t visited the TAC (Groups Admin Heart) for some time, notice that the settings and insurance policies have a brand new UI and place the place to seek out them.

This can take some time to get used to, I nonetheless soar to open Conferences from the left rail once I search for assembly insurance policies. From there you solely handle Assembly templates and Finest apply configurations. Regulate assembly insurance policies, when this participant altering their title setting turns into accessible to UI
Permitting show title modifications in conferences (for Organizers)
As soon as the characteristic is enabled by your admin, assembly organizers can management this setting immediately throughout the assembly choices. Check it out: schedule a Groups assembly or edit an current one. If modifying an current one, you should be organizer or co-organizer within the assembly to have the ability to entry assembly choices. Navigate to Assembly choices, and scroll to Engagement the place you possibly can see the toggle for “Let individuals edit their show title“.
On default modifying the show title is off.

This offers organizers flexibility relying on the assembly sort and viewers. In case you don’t have this enabled, within the assembly coverage that has been assigned to you, you don’t even see the setting. That not seeing the setting, additionally applies to tenants the place show title change has not been enabled.
How you can change your show title (end-user expertise)
For members, modifying your show title throughout a gathering is easy. While you be part of the assembly, you will note a message about that altering the title is feasible. This message is excellent: it tells to be careful that some names might have been edited, and you could edit your show title.

Open the Folks facet panel and hover over your title and choose “Extra choices” (three dots).

Click on “Edit show title.” after which enter your most popular title and make sure the change.


You may’t cover or change your identification, solely the show title, with this characteristic. You authentic title will nonetheless seem in different places, just like the assembly chat and the attendance report.

Others will see the data in the identical manner.

If somebody be part of the assembly nameless, they set their title to the assembly after they be part of and so they don’t have choice to vary it through the assembly

I feel I understand how I will probably be seen in some conferences any longer. 🤠

Issues
Whereas this characteristic is useful and really welcome for numerous use circumstances, listed here are some ideas, that will apply:
- Speaking to members that names may be modified and/or when it’s applicable to vary names.
- If you understand there’s want for this in your group, make certain to coach key individuals concerning the characteristic
- Admins may need to allow this functionality just for some teams of customers.
This new characteristic affords further flexibility to Groups conferences.
Will you edit your title in conferences?
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I work, weblog and talk about Future Work : AI, Microsoft 365, Copilot, Microsoft Mesh, Metaverse, and different companies & platforms within the cloud connecting digital and bodily and folks collectively.
I’ve about 30 years of expertise in IT enterprise on a number of industries, domains, and roles.
View all posts by Vesa Nopanen