Start or join a Lync conference call

Not everything is easily resolved using email or instant messaging (IM). Sometimes, talking is better and faster to explain situations, get resolutions or make decisions. From Lync, you can check the availability of a contact or multiple contacts for a call, and start a conference call instantly.

1. From the Lync home screen, select the Contacts tile, and lightly swipe downwards or right-click each contact you want in the conference call.

2. Select Call from the app commands that display automatically.

3. Your invitation will display on your contacts' devices and they'll join the call after they accept the invitation.

If you want to add more participants:

1. Swipe in from the bottom of the call window or right-click with a mouse, and select Participants.

2. Select Invite more people, and type the name or phone number of the contact you want to invite¹.

3. From the search results, select the name or phone number you want, and select the plus sign (+).

If you selected a name, an invitation is sent to the contact. The contact joins the call after accepting the invitation. If you selected a phone number, the conference will dial the contact at that phone number.

The call window displays the mic button to mute/unmute yourself and the handset button to end the conference call. To access other commands during the call, swipe in from the bottom of the call window or right-click with a mouse, and then do the following.

To do this task	Do this
Add video	Select Video > Start my video.
Hide your preview	Select Video > Hide my preview.
Share your preview	Select Video > Show my preview.
Stop sharing your video	Select Video > Stop my video.
Leave video²	Select Video > Leave video.
Put the call on hold	Select Call > Hold call.
See the sharing screen during a presentation	Swipe to the left to see the stage. If the stage isn't available, but content is being shared, then select Presenting > Show stage.
Hide the sharing screen during a presentation	Select Presenting > Hide stage
Present content	Select Presenting > Switch apps to present. You'll see a notification that the meeting will close from Lync and reopen in Lync 2013 or Lync Web App. You can then present from that app.

¹ To invite a contact by calling their phone number, your Lync account must be enabled for Enterprise Voice. Calling to a phone number isn't available for Office 365 users.

² The Leave video option stops all your video feeds so that you don't see any participant's video, but you'll still have meeting audio.