Send a chat message

On this page

• Send a chat message
• Reply to a chat message
• Edit or delete a message you sent
• Create polls in Chat and vote

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Send a chat message

Message a person or group

You can send a direct message in Chat to one or more people within your organization. You can direct message an individual outside of your organization, but you can't include external people in a group message.

Tip: To chat with external guests in a group, create a space.

Important: If this is your first time sending a message to someone else, they need to accept your message request before you can chat with them.

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
   • In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.

2. Click New chat.
3. Enter a name or an email addres.
4. Click Start chat.
   • When you enter a name or email address, you can get suggestions.
   • To start a group DM, add more names or email addresses.
5. In the reply area, enter a message.
6. Click Send .

Learn more at the Google Chat Help Center

Format a Chat message

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
   • In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.
2. Go to a conversation.
3. Enter a message.
4. Highlight the text you want to format.
5. Click Format .
6. Select an option:
   • To bold: Click Bold .
   • To italicize: Click Italic .
   • To underline: Click Underline .
   • To change the text color: Click Text color .
   • To add a bullet point before the text: Click Bulleted list .
   • To strikethrough: Click Strikethrough .
   • To insert a link:
     1. Click Insert link .
     2. Enter the link.
   • To add inline code: Click Code .
   • To add multi-line code block: Click Code block .
7. Click Send .

Learn more at the Google Chat Help Center

Reply to a chat message

Reply to a message

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
2. Open a chat message.
3. Below the message, click the reply area.
4. Enter your message or select a suggestion.
5. You can customize a suggested message before you send it.
6. Press Return or click Send .

Use other options in Chat replies

• To add a person to the conversation or mention them: Type , then enter a name.
• To add emojis to your message: Click Emoji .
• To share files from your device: Click Upload file .
  • Everyone in a space can find shared files.
• To share files from Google Drive: Click Add Google Drive file .
  • Everyone in a space can find shared Drive files.
• To start a video call: Click Add video meeting .
• To schedule a calendar meeting: Click Calendar .
• To send a GIF: Click GIF .
• To add formatting to text: Click Format .

Learn more at the Google Chat Help Center

Edit or delete a message you sent

If you make a mistake or need to update a message you sent, you can edit or delete the message.

Edit a chat message

1. On your computer, go to Google Chat.
2. Open a conversation, such as a direct message, group direct message, or space.
3. Hover over the message you want to edit.
4. Click Edit .
5. Make your changes.
6. Click Update.

Delete a sent message

1. On your computer, go to Google Chat.
2. Open a conversation, such as a direct message, group direct message, or space.
3. Hover over the message you want to delete.
4. Click More Delete .
5. To confirm, click Delete.

Learn more at the Google Chat Help Center

Create polls in Chat and vote

Create a poll

With Google Chat's Poll app, you can quickly create polls in direct messages, group messages, or spaces so your team can gather input and make decisions.

Note: Your admin manages the apps you can access in Chat, such as the Poll app.

1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
   • In Gmail on the left, click Chat .
2. To add the Poll app:
   1. Select a direct message, group message, or space.
   2. In the reply field, enter /poll or @poll.
   3. Select the Poll app.
      • If you are using the app for the first time, in the window that appears, click Add app & send.
3. Click Create a poll. In the poll window, enter a question and up to 4 choices.
4. Click Create.

Vote in a poll

When someone creates a poll, you receive a chat notification.

• To vote in a poll, next to your preferred choice, click Vote.
• To find more details about the poll results, click Show results.

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