How to take notes in Microsoft Teams: transcripts, recap and Copilot

Teams has the most layered options of the three big platforms, and the most licence questions. Here's the map.

In short
  • Recordings and transcripts come with standard Microsoft 365 business plans, if your admin allows them.
  • Intelligent recap (AI notes, chapters, tasks) needs Teams Premium or a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence.
  • Audio and video recap need a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence.
  • Transcription must be on for most recap features to work.

The three layers

FeatureWhat it doesLicence
Recording and transcriptionVideo and a searchable transcriptIncluded with Teams in Microsoft 365 business plans, subject to admin policy
Intelligent recapAI notes, suggested tasks, chapters and highlights after the meetingTeams Premium or Microsoft 365 Copilot
Copilot in meetings, audio and video recapAsk questions live; listen to or watch a recapMicrosoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft's admin documentation states that intelligent recap needs a Teams Premium or Microsoft 365 Copilot licence, that audio recap needs Copilot, and that transcription must be turned on (Microsoft Learn). In July 2026 Microsoft added a Meeting Recap app; users without Premium or Copilot can still reach their recordings and transcripts there (topedia).

Turning on transcription

  1. In the meeting, open More → Record and transcribe.
  2. Choose Start transcription (and recording if you need video).
  3. After the meeting, open the meeting in chat or calendar and go to Recap.

If the options are greyed out, your organisation's policy has turned them off; ask IT.

Recap without a saved transcript

For organisations that don't want transcripts stored, Microsoft has introduced an option for Copilot-licensed users to get an AI recap without saving the transcript or recording (message center summary).

Your own notes in Teams

  • Use the meeting's notes tab or a shared document attached to the invite so everyone edits one copy.
  • Start from a template, and assign actions to named people in the meeting chat.

Questions people ask

Does Microsoft Teams take meeting notes automatically?
With a Teams Premium or Microsoft 365 Copilot licence, intelligent recap produces AI notes and suggested tasks after meetings that were transcribed.
Is Teams intelligent recap free?
No. It requires Teams Premium or a Microsoft 365 Copilot licence.
How do I get a transcript in Teams?
In the meeting, open More → Record and transcribe → Start transcription. The transcript appears in the meeting's Recap tab afterwards, if your admin allows transcription.
What's the difference between Teams Premium and Copilot for meetings?
Teams Premium adds intelligent recap after the meeting. Microsoft 365 Copilot adds that plus live Copilot in meetings and audio and video recaps.

Sources

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