How to Show or Hide App Names (Labels) in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams allows you to hide or show app names, also called labels, directly within its interface.

This feature lets you declutter your app bar, making it easier to find the tools you use most often.

You can control these labels for individual apps, helping to personalize your Teams workspace for better efficiency.

Step 1Go to Teams Settings

You can open Microsoft Teams settings by clicking on your profile picture in the top right corner of the app and then selecting ‘Settings’ from the menu that pops up.

Look for your profile picture. It’s usually in the top right corner of the Teams window. Click on it.

A menu will pop up. Find and click on Settings. This will open a new area with all the options to change how Teams looks and works.

Step 2Find Appearance Settings

Once you’re in the main Settings area, you’ll see a list of choices on the left side. This is where you can control how your apps are shown.

On the left side, find and click on Appearance. This section is all about how your Teams looks.

Step 3Show or Hide App Names

You can easily control whether app names, also called app labels, appear next to icons in your Microsoft Teams sidebar to make it less cluttered or easier to read.

Here’s how to control if you see app names:

• In the Appearance settings, look for a switch. It might say Show app names or App labels.
• Click the switch to turn it on (to see names) or off (to hide names). If the switch is colored, it’s usually on. If it’s gray, it’s off.

Why would you do this?

• Hide app names: If you have many apps in your sidebar, hiding the names can make it look more compact. You will just use the icons to know which app is which. Many people get used to this.
• Show app names: If you are new to Teams, or if you switch between many apps often, seeing the names can help you quickly find the app you need. It can stop confusion and help you pick apps faster.

Reference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/teams/notifications-settings/change-settings-in-microsoft-teams

Summary

You can easily change whether app names or labels show up next to icons in your Microsoft Teams sidebar by going to Settings, then Appearance, and using the toggle switch.