Annotate a Shared Screen in Microsoft Teams

The ability to annotate on shared screens is a useful collaborative tool in your MS Teams meeting. Annotation uses the same toolset as the MS Whiteboard.

Ensure you are using New Teams: Select the Settings and More menu and slide the New Teams toggle to On.
Start or join your meeting.
Share your Screen.
Select Annotate from the Meeting Controls panel that appears at the top of your screen and choose who can participate.
Use the Annotate menu.
Click the Annotate icon again to turn off.

Need more detail?

Delve into the in-depth walkthrough below, complete with images and various notes for every step.

In-Depth Walkthrough

Step 1: Use New Teams

Select the Settings and More menu next to your profile picture at the top of your MS Teams window.
Slide the New Teams toggle to On.

Step 2: Start or Join a Meeting

Either start a new meeting or join a scheduled meeting.

Step 3: Share Your Screen

Click the share option in your toolbar and select Screen from the choices. Annotate is not available when sharing select Windows.

Step 4: Select Annotate and Give Permission

Select Annotate from the Meeting Controls panel that appears at the top of your screen when sharing.

You may have to mouse over the You're sharing your screen notice to find the Controls panel.

Choose who will be able to use the Annotation tool by selecting that yourself alone can annotate, or everyone can annotate.

Step 5: Use the Annotate Menu

The annotation toolset control menu will open.

The settings cog in the toolset menu will allow you to alter your choices.

The Tools cog also has other collaborative selections including Collaborative Cursors and Enhance inked shapes.

Select an annotation tool and begin marking on your screen. It's recommended to practice each tool before using in a meeting. Be aware, you're unable to navigate on your shared screen while annotation is turned on.

Step 6

Click the Annotate icon again to turn off the feature.

Teams Annotate Shared Screen FAQ

Can I save meeting annotations?

In order to save your annotations, you must take a screenshot using the option in your annotation menu or use the Print Screen function on your keyboard.

Can I share a select Window instead of my entire screen?

No, annotate is only available when sharing your screen.

I have a Mac, why is my annotation screen black?

At present, a glitch exists with certain MacBook's, which prevents screen sharing with annotation selected. No solution has been suggested.