Making a call with Skype for Business

A voice call can be made to any number, any person, whether a company employee or not. However, if you call an external number, you can't turn this call into a meeting.

1. Calling a colleague from your contact list

Open Skype for Business.

Find the contact in your contact list or search for the person you want to call.

Hover over the persons picture you want to call.

Click the 'Call' icon.

To end the call, click the 'End call' button.

2. Calling an external contact anywhere in the world

Open Skype for Business.

Click on the keypad.

Enter the telephone number.

Click the 'Call' icon.

To end the call, click the 'End call' button.

Open Skype for Business.

Find the contact in your contacts list or search for the person you want to video call.

Hover over the persons picture you want to call.

Click the 'Video' icon.

To end the call, click the 'End call' button.

During a Skype for Business call, you can add more people to the call. So, if you need another opinion, some extra help or you just want to catch up quickly, it’s simple and easy to do during the call:

In the meeting window, click the 'Invite more people'.

Select someone from the list, OR type someone’s name or full phone number in the search bar.

Click 'OK'.

Skype for Business will call that person and add them to the call.

You can transfer a call to another colleague or number. Let’s say you have been called for some advice, but you know a colleague who has more experience, you can then transfer the call to that person. You can even transfer the call to your mobile phone, so you can leave the office and carry on with the conversation.

Click the 'Call Controls' button in the bottom right hand corner of the call window.

Click the 'Transfer' button and type in the name of the person (or number) you want to transfer the call to.

Click 'Transfer'. You’ll then be connected to the person you want to transfer the call to and the person you were previously speaking to will be put on hold until you hit transfer again.

Occasionally you may want to forward your calls to another person, another number or to voicemail.

This is important for planning your cover when you are out of the office or on holiday.

Each individual has the right to delegate and change this setting, no one else can do this for you in your absence.

Remember – your voicemails will now be accessible via Skype. You will receive an email with a link to access any new voicemails received.

Open Skype for business and click the 'Settings' icon.

Click 'Call Forwarding' in the options menu.

Click 'Edit my delegate members'.

Chose the person you want to make a delegate. If they are not in the list, click the 'Add' button to select them.

Make sure to tick the 'Receive Calls' box

At this point you can also choose after how many rings you want your delegate to be called.

Once done, click 'OK'.

*In the 'Call Forwarding' section, click 'Forward my calls to' and choose the number you want to delegate your calls to.

This option means Skype for Business and any other number you have (e.g. mobile phone) won’t call you.

*In the 'Call Forwarding' section, click 'Simultaneously ring' and choose the number or person you want to delegate to.

This option means you and your delegate will be called at the same time when a call comes in.

You can quickly access your call forwarding options by using the Call Forwarding button:

At the bottom of the Skype for Business main window, click the 'Call Forwarding' button.

In the drop-down menu, select 'Turn Off Call Forwarding', 'Forward My Calls To' or 'Simultaneously ring', and choose an option.

You can call phone numbers using the dial pad in Skype for Business.

From the main Skype for Business screen, click in the search bar.

Type in the external number you want to dial.

Hit enter to dial.