Pronouns in Teams foster an inclusive environment by letting everyone share how they prefer to be addressed. If you are wondering how to add pronouns in Teams, this guide will walk you through the process step by step. Microsoft Teams now allows you to display your pronouns next to your name in chats and meetings. This small change can make a big difference in making colleagues feel respected and seen. In this article, you will learn exactly how to set this up, whether you are using the desktop app, web version, or mobile device.
Adding pronouns is a straightforward process that takes less than a minute. But before you start, you need to know that this feature is not available for everyone yet. It depends on your organization’s settings and your IT admin. If you cannot find the option, your company might have disabled it. We will cover what to do in that case later.
Let us get right into the steps. Follow along carefully, and you will have your pronouns displayed in no time.
How To Add Pronouns In Teams
To begin, open Microsoft Teams on your computer or web browser. The process is similar across platforms, but we will highlight any differences. First, click on your profile picture or initials in the top right corner of the Teams window. A menu will appear with several options. Look for “Settings” and click on it. This opens the settings panel where you can customize your Teams experience.
Inside Settings, find the “General” tab. It is usually the first tab you see. Scroll down until you see a section labeled “Pronouns.” There will be a toggle switch that says “Show pronouns.” Turn this toggle on. Once it is on, a text box will appear where you can type your pronouns. Common examples include “she/her,” “he/him,” “they/them,” or a combination like “she/they.” Type exactly what you want displayed. Then click “Save” or “Apply” at the bottom of the settings panel.
That is it. Your pronouns will now appear next to your name in Teams. They will show up in chat messages, meeting participant lists, and profile cards. Other people in your organization can see them when they hover over your name. This helps everyone address you correctly without having to ask.
If you are using the mobile app, the steps are similar. Tap your profile picture in the top left corner. Then tap “Settings.” Under “General,” you will find the pronouns option. Toggle it on and enter your pronouns. Save the changes. The mobile interface might look slightly different, but the logic is the same.
Check If Your Organization Supports Pronouns
Before you try to add pronouns, verify that your company has enabled this feature. Not all organizations have it turned on. If the pronouns option is missing from your settings, your IT admin may have disabled it. You can check by going to the Teams admin center, but that requires admin access. Alternatively, ask your IT department if pronouns are available.
Some organizations use older versions of Teams that do not support pronouns. Microsoft rolled out this feature gradually. If you are on an older build, update Teams to the latest version. Go to the three-dot menu next to your profile picture, select “Check for updates,” and install any pending updates. After updating, restart Teams and check again.
If the feature is still missing, your admin might need to enable it through the Teams admin center. They can go to “Messaging policies” and turn on “Show pronouns.” If you are an admin, you can do this yourself. For regular users, politely ask your IT team to consider enabling it.
What Pronouns Can You Use?
You can use any pronouns you prefer. There is no restriction on what you type. Common options include:
- She/her
- He/him
- They/them
- She/they
- He/they
- Ze/hir
- Any custom combination
You can also choose not to display pronouns if you prefer. The toggle lets you turn the feature on or off at any time. Some people prefer not to share pronouns for personal reasons. That is perfectly fine. The goal is to create an inclusive space, not to force anyone to share.
Remember that pronouns are personal. Respect what others choose to display. If someone has pronouns listed, use them. If they do not, you can ask politely or use their name instead.
Why Adding Pronouns Matters
Adding pronouns is more than a technical step. It is a way to show respect and inclusivity. When you share your pronouns, you normalize the practice. This makes it easier for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming colleagues to share theirs without feeling singled out. It reduces the awkwardness of guessing or assuming someone’s gender.
In a diverse workplace, small gestures like this build trust. People feel more comfortable when they know they will be addressed correctly. Misgendering someone can cause harm and damage relationships. By displaying pronouns, you help prevent that.
Teams is used by millions of people worldwide. Adding pronouns is a simple way to align with modern workplace values. It shows that your organization cares about inclusion. Many companies now require or encourage pronoun sharing in their communication tools.
Common Mistakes When Adding Pronouns
Some users run into issues. Here are a few common problems and how to fix them:
- Pronouns not showing up: Make sure the toggle is on. Also check that you saved your changes. If it still does not appear, try restarting Teams.
- Option grayed out: This means your admin has disabled it. You cannot override this. Contact your IT team.
- Pronouns appear but disappear after a while: This might be a sync issue. Log out and log back in. If it persists, clear the Teams cache.
- Cannot find the pronouns section: Update Teams to the latest version. If you are on a work or school account, your organization might not have the feature enabled.
If you encounter any other issues, check Microsoft’s official support page. They have detailed troubleshooting guides.
Step-By-Step Guide For Desktop And Web
Let us go through the process again with more detail. This time, we will cover both the desktop app and the web version. The steps are nearly identical.
- Open Microsoft Teams on your computer.
- Click your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
- In the Settings window, click the “General” tab.
- Scroll down to the “Pronouns” section.
- Toggle the switch to “On.”
- Type your pronouns in the text box. For example, “they/them.”
- Click “Save” or “Apply” at the bottom.
- Close the settings window.
- Your pronouns should now appear next to your name in chats and meetings.
For the web version, the process is the same. Open Teams in your browser, log in, and follow the steps. The web version might have a slightly different layout, but the pronouns option is in the same place.
How To Add Pronouns In Teams Mobile App
If you use Teams on your phone, here is how to add pronouns:
- Open the Teams mobile app.
- Tap your profile picture in the top left corner.
- Tap “Settings.”
- Under “General,” find “Pronouns.”
- Toggle it on.
- Enter your pronouns.
- Tap “Save” or the checkmark icon.
The mobile app does not show pronouns in all places yet. They appear in chats and meeting participant lists, but not always in the main navigation. Microsoft is working on improving this.
What If You Cannot Find The Option?
If you have followed all the steps and still cannot find the pronouns option, do not worry. There are a few possible reasons. First, your organization might not have enabled it. Second, you might be using an older version of Teams. Third, your account might be a guest account, which does not support pronouns.
Check with your IT admin. They can confirm if the feature is available. If it is not, they can enable it through the Teams admin center. Go to “Messaging policies” and look for “Show pronouns.” Turn it on for your organization. Note that changes can take up to 24 hours to take effect.
If you are a guest user, you cannot add pronouns. Guest accounts have limited features. You will need to ask your host organization to enable it for guests, but that is rare.
Alternatives If Pronouns Are Not Available
If your organization does not support pronouns in Teams, you can use other methods to share them. For example, you can add your pronouns to your email signature. You can also include them in your Teams profile description. Some people put pronouns in their display name, like “Alex (they/them).” This is a workaround, but it works.
Another option is to mention your pronouns during meetings. When you introduce yourself, say, “Hi, I am Alex, and I use they/them pronouns.” This normalizes the practice even without the feature.
You can also ask your IT admin to consider enabling the feature. Many organizations are adding it after employee requests. Be polite and explain why it matters.
How Pronouns Appear In Teams
Once you add pronouns, they show up in several places. In chat messages, your pronouns appear next to your name. In meetings, they appear in the participant list. When someone hovers over your profile picture, they see your pronouns in the pop-up card. They also appear in search results and the people tab.
Pronouns are visible to everyone in your organization. External guests might not see them, depending on settings. If you are in a meeting with people outside your company, your pronouns might not show. This is a limitation of the current system.
You can change or remove your pronouns at any time. Go back to Settings and toggle the feature off or edit the text. Changes update immediately.
Privacy Considerations
Some people worry about privacy when sharing pronouns. Remember that pronouns are visible to everyone in your organization. If you are not comfortable sharing, you do not have to. The feature is optional. You can also use neutral pronouns like “they/them” if you prefer not to specify.
If you are concerned about misuse, know that Microsoft does not use pronoun data for advertising or other purposes. It is purely for display within Teams. Your privacy is protected.
If you experience harassment or misgendering after adding pronouns, report it to your HR department. Teams has reporting features for inappropriate behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add pronouns in Teams if the option is missing?
If the pronouns option is missing, update Teams first. If it is still missing, your organization has disabled it. Contact your IT admin to enable it through the Teams admin center.
Can I add pronouns in Teams for a guest account?
No, guest accounts do not support pronouns. You can add them to your display name or mention them verbally.
Do pronouns show up in Teams meetings?
Yes, pronouns appear in the meeting participant list and profile cards. They are visible to all attendees from your organization.
How do I remove pronouns in Teams?
Go to Settings > General > Pronouns. Toggle the switch off. Your pronouns will disappear immediately.
Can I use custom pronouns in Teams?
Yes, you can type any pronouns you want. There is no preset list. Common examples include she/her, he/him, they/them, or ze/hir.
Final Thoughts
Adding pronouns in Teams is a simple but powerful way to support inclusivity. It takes less than a minute and can make a big difference for your colleagues. Whether you are using the desktop app, web version, or mobile app, the steps are easy to follow. If your organization does not support it yet, advocate for the feature. Every step toward inclusion counts.
Remember to respect others’ pronouns and use them correctly. If you make a mistake, apologize briefly and move on. The goal is to create a welcoming environment for everyone.
Now you know how to add pronouns in Teams. Go ahead and set yours up today. Your colleagues will appreciate it.