Collect birthdays with Billy in Microsoft Teams

In Microsoft Teams, Billy, the BuddiesHR birthday bot, collects birthdays and work anniversaries by messaging each team member, either automatically or when a Billy admin types AskDates. Use Status to see who's missing.

Automatic collection#

With the (Recommended) Auto collection method (the default, see change Billy's settings in Teams), Billy:

• Messages every team member without dates right after Finish setup 🎉, with a card to fill out.
• Sends a reminder to those who still haven't answered, 2, 5, 12 and 21 days later.
• Messages new members when they join the team.

Members fill out the card, or the web form linked under it. See use Billy as a team member in Teams.

Check who's missing with Status#

Step 1: Type Status#

In your 1:1 chat with Billy, type Status. For each team, Billy shows "✅" or "❌" with the number of members who completed their dates (for example "(12/15 completed)"), or "You're all set!".

Step 2: Ask the missing members#

Click Ask dates to N users, or type AskDates.

Ask members with AskDates#

Step 1: Type AskDates#

In your 1:1 chat with Billy, type AskDates. If you manage several teams, pick the team.

Step 2: Confirm#

Billy shows "🔔 You're about to notify N users from …, please confirm!". Click ✔️ Confirm.

Each member gets a message saying you'd like them to fill out their birthdate, with the dates card. If nobody is missing, Billy answers "You're all set for …! There is no one to ask 🙌".

Import dates yourself#

To enter many dates at once, use a spreadsheet: import dates with a spreadsheet in Teams. There's no way to edit one person's dates from a card in Teams: use the spreadsheet.

Billy reminds admins too#

While dates are missing, Billy messages the team's admins 1, 3, 10 and 19 days after setup, suggesting AskDates or Import.