How to Get a Transcript in Teams (2026)
A Teams transcript is a timestamped, speaker-labeled written record of everything said in a meeting — unlike live captions, it’s saved and searchable afterward. You can run a transcript with or without recording the video. Here’s how to start one, where it ends up, and how to download it.
Start a Transcript on Desktop
- Start or join the meeting as the organizer or a presenter.
- On the toolbar, click More (the …).
- Choose Record and transcribe > Start transcription.
- A live transcript panel opens on the right, and everyone gets a notification that transcription has started.
To stop: More > Record and transcribe > Stop transcription, or just end the meeting.
You don’t have to record to transcribe — transcription is its own toggle. If you record, a transcript is captured automatically alongside the video.
Where the Transcript Saves and How to Download It
After the meeting, the transcript attaches to the meeting itself:
- Open the meeting chat, or the event in your Calendar.
- Go to the Recap or Transcript tab.
- View it inline, or click … > Download to save it as a .docx or .vtt file.
The transcript stays tied to that meeting, so anyone invited can open it later (subject to your org’s permissions).
Start a Transcript on Mobile (iOS/Android)
- In the meeting, tap More (the …).
- Tap Record and transcribe > Start transcription.
- Tap More > Stop transcription to finish.
You can read the saved transcript from the meeting chat on your phone after the call.
Troubleshooting
The transcription option is greyed out
You’re likely an attendee, not a presenter. Only the organizer and presenters from the host organization can start transcription. Ask to be made a presenter (Participants > your name > Make a presenter).
There’s no “Record and transcribe” at all
Your IT admin controls transcription in the Teams admin center. If it’s missing for everyone, the policy is off — that’s an admin change.
The transcript is inaccurate
Accuracy depends on the spoken language setting and audio quality. Set the correct language in the caption/transcript settings, and encourage people to use headsets and avoid talking over each other.
Guests and external people can’t start it
Transcription is limited to the host organization. Someone internal has to start it.
I can’t find the transcript afterward
Check the meeting chat and the Calendar event’s Recap tab. Processing can take a few minutes after a long meeting. If it never appears, transcription may not have actually started — look for the notification banner next time.
Quick Reference
| Goal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Start a transcript | More > Record and transcribe > Start transcription |
| Stop a transcript | More > Record and transcribe > Stop transcription |
| View it later | Meeting chat or Calendar event > Recap/Transcript tab |
| Download it | Transcript tab > … > Download (.docx or .vtt) |
| Let someone else start it | Make them a presenter |
Related Teams guides: How to turn on captions in Teams · How to record a Teams meeting · How to use breakout rooms in Teams · How to create a Teams meeting in Outlook · The best AI note takers for Zoom, Teams & Meet
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