Teams tip: how to work with more focus

With the shortcut /dnd («do not disturb») you make sure that you receive no chat, channel and call notifications in Microsoft Teams and can focus fully on your work. I checked this tip against Microsoft’s current documentation in November 2026 and added to it. The command still works. It is worth knowing exactly what «Do not disturb» does and how long it lasts.

How to use the command

1. In Teams for desktop, click into the compose box of a chat or into the search bar at the top.
2. Type /dnd and press Enter. Your status is now «Do not disturb».
3. When you are done, type /available. In the compose box, /reset resets your status.

According to Microsoft, the built-in slash commands are only available in Teams for desktop. In a German Teams interface the command is /nichtstören (Microsoft Support).

What «Do not disturb» actually does

Chat messages still arrive, but Teams shows no banner notifications for them. Calls go to voicemail. You decide on the exception yourself: under Settings and Privacy you keep a priority access list. Messages from these people show banners as usual and their calls still come through during «Do not disturb» (Microsoft Learn).

Imagine you are writing a report and waiting for your manager to call you back. Put her on the priority access list, then everything else stays quiet and her call still gets through.

Set a duration

For a two-hour focus block, a whole day is too long. Here is how to choose when Teams resets your status:

1. Select your profile picture at the top right, then your current status and Duration.
2. Under Status, choose «Do not disturb».
3. Under Reset status after, pick a time or Custom for your own date and time.
4. Select Done.

When the time is up, Teams resets your status based on your activity, your calendar and the state of your computer. You can stop earlier at any time by choosing another status or Reset status (Microsoft Support).

My tip from practice

«Do not disturb» works best when your team knows what it means and how to reach you in an emergency. Agree on it once instead of leaving it to each person. Wording for your Teams status and signature comes with the free availability template (in German).

Conclusion

One command is enough and the next few hours belong to your work. Try it now: type /dnd, set a duration until the end of your focus block and add the two or three most important people to your priority access list.