Send a chat message

Modified on Wed, 9 Jul at 4:35 PM

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

Send a chat message

Message a person or group

  1. On your computer, open Google Chat or Gmail.
    • In Gmail: On the left, click Chat.
  1. Click New chat.
  2. Enter a name or an email address.
  3. 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.
  4. In the reply area, enter a message.
  5. Click Send .

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 Bold.
    • To italicize: Click Italic Italic.
    • To underline: Click Underline Underline.
    • To change the text color: Click Text color Color text.
    • To add a bullet point before the text: Click Bulleted list Bulleted list.
    • To strikethrough: Click Strikethrough Strikethrough.
    • To insert a link:
      1. Click Insert link Insert link.
      2. Enter the link.
    • To add inline code: Click Code .
    • To add multi-line code block: Click Code block .
  7. Click Send .

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 .

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 and then Delete .
  5. To confirm, click Delete.


Create polls in Chat and vote

Create a poll

  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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