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5.2 Sending messages

  1. Click a person or group to open the conversation. The header shows their name and whether they are Online.
  2. Type your message in the box at the bottom. The placeholder shows who you are messaging, for example Ping @annone.
  3. Press Enter or click the send arrow.
Figure 5.2 A new direct message conversation
Figure 5.3 Composing a message
Figure 5.4 Sent messages are grouped under your name with the time

Use the icons at the top right of the conversation to call the person. The camera icon starts a video call. The phone button has an arrow that opens two choices:

  • PBX call rings the person's extension through the business phone system and opens the Phone panel (section 3).
  • Chat calls start with a voice call with the person inside Chat.
Figure 5.5 Choosing PBX call or Chat call

A tick next to the time of your message shows it was delivered; a double tick shows it was read.

Formatting toolbar​

The toolbar above the message box formats your text. Select text and click a button, or press Ctrl+B for bold, Ctrl+I for italic and Ctrl+U for underline while you type.

ButtonEffect
B, I, U, S̶Bold, italic, underline and strikethrough text.
A̲ (coloured)Changes the text colour.
A (highlighted)Adds a background highlight.
Numbered list, bulleted listStart a list.
AlignChanges text alignment.
Code (</>)Formats text as a code block.
Smart compose (last button)Check the grammar and sentence structure of what you have typed. See below.
Bin icon (right end)Clears everything you have typed. It appears once you start typing.

Smart compose​

Smart Compose is an automatic proofreading tool that helps you correct and rephrase your messages before sending them.

Type your message in the message box and click the Smart Compose button (the last button on the formatting toolbar). The message box will split into two sections: your original message appears on the left, and the corrected version appears on the right.

While the corrected version is being generated, Rephrasing... is displayed. The formatting toolbar also remains visible during this process.

If your message is already correct, Smart Compose returns it unchanged.

Review the corrected message and send it as usual. To return to your original message, click the Smart Compose button again.

Figure 5.6 Smart compose preparing a corrected version of the message
note

If the corrected version does not appear after a few seconds, click the smart compose button again to return to your original text and send it as it is.

Mentioning someone​

Type @ in the message box to display a list of people. Continue typing to narrow down the list, then click the name you want to mention. The selected person's name will be highlighted in your message.

Figure 5.7 Bold text and a mention being added to a group message

Emoji, attachments and voice notes​

  • Emoji (smiley icon): opens the emoji picker. It has a search box, your frequently used emoji and category tabs.
  • Attach (+ icon on Web and Desktop): Allows you to select and share files or images from your computer.
  • Attach (paperclip icon on Mobile): Opens a menu with options to capture or share content, including Camera, Photo, Video, Audio, Contacts, and All Files.
  • Camera: Opens the camera with options to adjust the zoom level, switch between flash modes, enable HD quality, and switch between the front and rear cameras. Press and hold the capture button to record a video.
  • Photo: Allows you to select and share images from your device.
  • Video: Allows you to select and share videos from your device.
  • Audio: Allows you to select and share audio files.
  • Contacts: Allows you to select and share contact details.
  • All Files: Allows you to browse your device and attach other files.
  • Microphone: records a voice message.
Figure 5.8 The emoji picker

Recording a voice message​

  1. Click the microphone icon below the message box. Recording starts straight away and a recording bar replaces the message box.
  2. Speak your message. The bar shows a live sound wave and a timer.
  3. Click (Pause) || button to pause and resume, or X to throw the recording away.
  4. Click the tick (✓) to finish, then send the voice message.
Figure 5.9 Recording a voice message

Sending files and images​

  1. Click Attach (+) below the message box and choose one or more files.
  2. The Send Files window opens with a preview of the selected file, its name and size, and the total size of all files.
  3. Click the + tile to add more files, or the x on a thumbnail to remove one.
  4. For pictures, click HD at the top right to send them in high definition. Low-resolution images can lose quality when they are compressed, so use HD for screenshots and photos you want to keep sharp.
  5. Click Upload. The file appears above the message box. Add a message if you like, then press Enter or click send.
Figure 5.10 The Send Files window
Figure 5.11 An image shared in a group conversation

Click a shared image to open it in the image viewer. The file name is shown at the top left. Use the buttons at the bottom to zoom out, zoom in or download the image. The counter at the bottom right (for example 1/1) shows which image you are looking at. Click X at the top right to close the viewer.

Figure 5.12 The image viewer