Summary
When placing a call in Microsoft Teams, you can search for colleagues or a campus phone number by typing in a name into the dial/search field. However, you may sometimes see results labeled as "External" with a strange string of numbers (e.g., 726 or 43556). Here's why that happens and how to get accurate results.
Body
How To:
- Search for a phone by typing in a name
Applies To:
- Staff and Faculty with Teams Calling Accounts
Steps:
When placing a call in Microsoft Teams, you can search for colleagues or a campus phone number by typing in a name into the dial/search field. However, you may sometimes see results labeled as "External" with a strange string of numbers (e.g., 726 or 43556). Here's why that happens and how to get accurate results.
🔍 Why It Happens
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The dial pad in Teams interprets letters as numbers, similar to a phone keypad.
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For example, typing "Sam" translates to 726 on a keypad.
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If Teams doesn't immediately recognize what you're typing as a name, it shows those digits as if you're trying to dial a number — and labels it as External.
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This is not an error, but rather a outcome of how Teams processes input in the call interface.
✅ How to Search Effectively
To find a user:
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Open the Calls tab in Teams.
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In the Dial a number or name box, start typing the person's full name (first and last or a unique portion).
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Keep typing — Teams needs enough characters to identify the person from the directory.
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Once a match is found, click on their name or avatar to place the call.
🏢 Other Hints on Searching for Campus Numbers
If you're trying to reach an area that is a call queue or auto attendant , make sure to start your search with the appropriate prefix:
🚫 What Not to Do