How to Create a Poll in Teams (2026)
Polls in Microsoft Teams are a fast way to gather opinions, run a quick quiz, or check the room. They’re powered by the Polls app (built on Microsoft Forms). Here’s how to create one live in a meeting or prepare it in a chat beforehand, and how to share results.
Create a Poll in a Meeting
- In the meeting, click Apps (or More > View more actions) on the toolbar.
- Add Polls if it isn’t there already.
- Click Create new poll.
- Type your question and answer options.
- Set options as needed:
- Multiple answers — let people pick more than one.
- Share results automatically after voting.
- Keep responses anonymous.
- Click Save to draft it, then Launch when you want it to appear for everyone.
Results update live as people vote, right inside the meeting.
Create a Poll Before the Meeting
Prepare polls ahead so you can launch them with one click:
- Open the meeting’s chat (from your Calendar event) before it starts.
- Click the Polls icon (add it via + if needed).
- Create your poll and Save as draft.
- During the meeting, open Polls and click Launch on the draft.
You can also run a poll in any channel or group chat the same way — handy for async voting without a meeting.
Share and Export Results
- Results show in the meeting chat and the Polls panel.
- After the meeting, open the poll in chat to see the final tally.
- For deeper analysis, open the underlying form in Microsoft Forms to view and export responses to Excel.
Create a Poll on Mobile (iOS/Android)
- In the meeting or chat, tap More (the …) or the + in the message box.
- Tap Polls.
- Build the poll and tap Launch (or save it for later).
Troubleshooting
There’s no Polls option
Add it: Apps in the meeting (or + in the chat) > search Polls > add. If you can’t find it at all, your IT admin may have restricted third-party/Forms apps.
I created a poll but no one sees it
A saved poll is a draft — you have to click Launch. Drafts don’t appear to participants until launched.
Only the organizer can create polls
By default presenters can create and launch polls. If you can’t, ask to be made a presenter, or have the organizer launch yours.
Results aren’t showing
Turn on Share results automatically in the poll settings, or click Show results manually after voting closes.
Anonymous responses still show names
Confirm Keep responses anonymous was checked before launching — it can’t be changed after votes come in. Create a new poll if you need it anonymous.
Quick Reference
| Goal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Poll in a meeting | Apps > Polls > Create new poll |
| Prep ahead of time | Meeting chat > Polls > Save as draft |
| Make it live | Click Launch |
| Allow multiple picks | Turn on Multiple answers |
| Hide who voted | Turn on Keep responses anonymous |
| Export results | Open the form in Microsoft Forms |
Related Teams guides: How to use breakout rooms in Teams · How to raise your hand in Teams · How to record a Teams meeting · How to share your screen on Teams · The best AI note takers for Zoom, Teams & Meet
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