To download transcript from Teams after a meeting, open the meeting chat, select "Recap," then "Transcript," and choose your file format from the dropdown arrow next to "Download." This gives you a permanent record of the conversation that you can save, share, or edit.
How to download transcript from teams after a meeting
There are two verified methods to download a transcript from a past Microsoft Teams meeting. Both require that the meeting was recorded and that transcription was enabled.
Method 1: Using the chat tab with recap
- Open Microsoft Teams and navigate to the "Chat" section on the left sidebar.
- Find and open the chat for the specific meeting you attended.
- At the top of the chat window, select the "Recap" tab.
- In the Recap view, locate the "Transcript" section and click on it.
- Click the dropdown arrow next to the "Download" button and choose your preferred file format.
Method 2: Using the calendar tab with recordings and transcripts
- Open Microsoft Teams and go to the "Calendar" section.
- Find the past meeting event and click on it to open the details.
- Select "Recordings & Transcripts" from the available options.
- Locate the transcript file and download it in your preferred format.
Choosing your transcript file format
Transcripts can be downloaded as a .docx file for easy sharing and editing, or as a .vtt file, which is suitable for captioning or video editing. The .docx format works well when you need to insert the transcript into a report, share it with colleagues who do not have Teams access, or make edits to the text. The .vtt format is the right choice if you plan to use the transcript as captions for a video recording or import it into video editing software.
Who can download a transcript
By default, only meeting organizers and co-organizers have permission to download transcripts. Other participants from the same organization can usually view the transcript but cannot download it unless the organizer explicitly grants them permission. This permission structure helps maintain control over meeting content.
How to start transcription during a meeting
During a meeting, transcription can be initiated by selecting "More actions" (three dots) in the meeting controls, then "Record and transcribe," and finally "Start transcription." Transcription starts automatically when a meeting recording is initiated, so if you begin recording, the transcript will generate without an extra step. Starting transcription live allows participants to follow along with the text in real time and ensures the transcript is available for download after the meeting ends.
Where transcripts are saved
Transcripts are saved alongside the meeting recording in the meeting organizer's OneDrive for Business or SharePoint. This means the organizer can access the transcript file directly from their cloud storage without needing to open the Teams app. If you need to locate the file outside of Teams, check the organizer's OneDrive folder for meeting recordings or the SharePoint site associated with the meeting.
Tips for better transcription accuracy
The accuracy of live transcription can be reduced by factors such as multiple people speaking simultaneously, background noise, strong accents, or the use of technical terminology. To improve accuracy, encourage participants to mute themselves when not speaking, use a quiet environment, and minimize background noise. Transcripts are typically saved only in the original spoken language of the meeting, so the text will match whatever language was used during the conversation.
