Send a chat message

On this page

• Send a chat message
• Reply to a chat message
• Edit or delete a message you sent

               

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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.

1. On your computer, go to Google Chat.
2. On the left, under “Chat,” click the name of the person or group you want to message.
   • If you can’t find their name, click New chat or Start a chat .
3. Enter a name or email address. Suggestions appear as you enter text.
   • Tip: To send a direct message from a work or school account to someone outside your organization, enter their email address.
4. Click the person you want to message.
   • To create a group conversation, continue to enter people’s names.
5. When you select everyone you want to include in the conversation, click Start chat.
   • Tip: If you want to send a direct message to a specific person, next to their name, click Start chat , or use the keyboard shortcut ⌘ + Enter / Ctrl + Enter.
6. Enter a message.
7. Click Send .

Tips:

• If you use a work or school account, suggestions include everyone in your organization, even those who don't have Google Chat.
• To message you back, the message recipient may need to accept your request.

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.
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 a conversation and hover over your message.
2. Click Edit .
3. Make your changes.
4. Click Update.

Delete a sent message

1. On your computer, go to a conversation and hover over your message.
2. Click Delete .
3. To confirm, click Delete.

Learn more at the Google Chat Help Center

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