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Microsoft Teams Spotlight emphasizes selected video feeds for everyone in a meeting, while personal pinning affects your own view. Use the audience-wide control deliberately, with the appropriate organizer or presenter role.
Distinguish Spotlight from a personal view choice
Microsoft describes spotlighting as highlighting a video for everyone. An organizer or presenter can choose video feeds within the supported limits. Personal pinning is not the same audience-wide action, so confirm the goal before changing a participant's display.
Apply Spotlight through meeting controls
Use the participant video or People controls and choose Spotlight for everyone when available. Review the application's supported view and role requirements. A missing option can reflect view restrictions or permissions rather than a malfunction; do not change meeting policy without authorization.
Stop spotlighting when the segment ends
Return the audience to the intended meeting view after the speaker's segment. Spotlighting is separate from muting, recording and presenting a shared screen. Rehearse transitions with another attendee so a visible control change does not accidentally keep the wrong speaker emphasized.
A practical checklist
- Confirm audience-wide versus personal intent.
- Check organizer or presenter permissions.
- Use the supported meeting controls.
- Inspect the result from an attendee view.
- Stop spotlighting after the relevant segment.
Worked example
Illustrative example: a workshop organizer spotlights a facilitator during introductions. Later, they stop the spotlight as participants discuss in a wider view. A rehearsal attendee confirms the transition, while screen-sharing and recording decisions remain separate.
Common questions
Does pinning always change everyone's view? No. Does Spotlight start a recording? No. Can every meeting role use the control identically? No; permissions and view support matter. Should spotlighting replace a privacy or consent check? No.
What to do next
Plan who is emphasized during each meeting segment and rehearse the transitions. Use a personal view option when the change should affect only your own screen.
Sources and further reading
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