How to use Zoom Chat

Getting started

Accessing chat

View your chat history by following these steps:

1. Launch the Zoom desktop client.
2. Select Chat.

Zoom will show the following types of chat. To continue a conversation, click on one of the existing chats:

• One-on-one chats: Private, direct conversations between you and another Zoom user.
• Group chats: Conversations between two or more Zoom users.
• Project, team, or topic-specific channels. Private channels can only be joined by invitation, whereas public channels are open to anyone.

Starting a new chat

Using any of the chat types we previously mentioned, you can easily communicate with other Zoom users:

1-on-1 or group chat

1. via the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click on the Chat  tab.
3. At the top of the chat panel, click the new chat  button.
4. Your Zoom contact‘s name or email address is required. Enter as many contacts as you need.
5. Press Enter to send your message.

Joining a public channel

1. using Zoom.
2. Click Chat on the toolbar.
3. You can add channels to the chat list by clicking the Add button next to CHANNELS.
4. Click Join a Channel.
5. Use the search bar to find a channel, then hover over the channel name and click Join.

Learn more about joining, creating, and using channels.

History of recent chats, groups, and channels

It can be difficult to find and return to a previous chat when messaging multiple contacts, chat groups, and channels. You can quickly access the 10 previous chat contacts, groups, and channels that you accessed.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Next to the Search bar, click the chat history button  .
   The 10 previous chat contacts, groups, and channels you’ve viewed will be listed.
4. Click on a listing to return to that chat.

Adding or inviting an external contact

allows you to chat with anyone in your contacts list. Zoom users are typically listed in your organization’s contacts directory if they are part of one.

The following steps will help you add external Zoom users to your contacts so you can chat with them. Following these steps will also allow you to invite someone to Zoom so you can chat with them.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Contacts  tab.
3. Click the add button .
4. Click Invite a Zoom Contact.
5. Enter one email address at a time.
6. Click Invite.
   • Within their Zoom Chat client, the person will receive a contact request if they have a Zoom account. You can then start chatting with them.
   • The person will receive an invitation email if they don’t have a Zoom account. Zoom will add them to your contacts directory so you can chat with them.

Learn more about managing your contacts.

Setting presence status

You can see your presence status before your name in the Chat and Contacts tabs, as well as in the top-right corner of your profile picture. In this way, other users can quickly determine if you are available to chat.

To set your presence status:

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click your profile picture or icon in the top-right corner.
   
3. Select a presence status.

Learn more about the different presence status icons and what they indicate.

Consider changing your display name rather than using the presence status to indicate you are out of the office. (OOO until 3/3), for example, can be a display name.

Mentioning users

To notify users of your message, you can mention them in a chat message. You can use this to send a message to a specific person when a group chat or channel is active.

1. Launch Zoom from the desktop client.
2. Click on the Chat button.
3. Click a group chat or channel in the chat list.
4. Enter the @ symbol followed by the person’s display name to search through users. Zoom will display users in a drop-down menu.
5. Click the name of the person you want to mention.
   Tip: Press Backspace on your keyboard to remove the person’s last name from the mention. The mention will still notify the user.
6. Enter your message, then press Enter to send it.

Notes:

• You can also use @all to mention all users in a channel or group chat. Use this sparingly, as it will notify all users in a channel or group chat.
• To mention a specific user, that use must be a member of that chat channel already.

Learn more about using mentions and other chat commands.

Viewing your mentions

You can see all messages in which you were mentioned. You can see a broader range of messages in which you were mentioned, including those that you still haven’t read.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. At the top of the left-side chat panel, click the mention button .
   Your @ mentions will be listed from newest to oldest, with red indicators for unread messages.
4. Hover over a message and click Jump to move to the original posted location of the message to react and/or respond directly.

You will see the message you were mentioned in temporarily highlighted when viewing a chat group or channel with a message you were mentioned in.

Quoting messages

Whenever you respond to a specific message in a complicated chat thread, quoting that message can help others understand what you are responding to. Quote:

1. Right-click the message you want to quote and select Quote
2. A new reply is opened for you to enter your message.
3. Click the send icon to post the response. The quoted message will appear slightly above your response in grey, while you response is below the quoted message in the default text color.

Organizing your chats and driving productivity

Starring chats

Your chats can be starred to move them to the STARRED section of your list. You can now easily access the contacts, groups, or channels that you frequently chat with.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Hover over a group chat or channel in the chat list, then click the down arrow .
4. Click Star this Channel.
   The chat will appear under STARRED in your chat list. Chats in the STARRED section are always ordered alphabetically.

In the chat list, you can also click a group chat or channel, then click the star icon  to the left of the group chat or channel name.

You can also bookmark and follow messages in the chat list.

Changing notification settings for all chats

Whether you receive push notifications for new messages and how you’re notified of unread messages can be customized. Here’s how you do it:

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click your profile picture in the top-right corner, then click Settings.
   

3. Click the Chat  section.

4. Change these settings:
   • Unread Messages
     • Keep all unread messages on top: Keep chats with unread messages to the top of your chats list. Check this option if you want to bring more attention to chats with unread messages. This setting only applies to chats under the RECENT section.
     • Show unread message badge for channels: Display an icon with the number of unread messages beside each chat. If this is unchecked, you will see a simple red dot to indicate unread messages.
     • Move messages with new replies to the bottom of the chat: Messages that have received additional replies since you last checked are moved to the bottom of the chat.
   • Push Notifications: Select when you want to receive push notifications. Push notifications are displayed using your device’s push notification system.
     • All messages
     • Only private messages and mentions: Show notifications for private 1-on-1 chats and any time someone mentions your name in a group chat or channel using the @ symbol.
     • Nothing
       Note: You can also set exceptions for specific channels.

Learn more about other chat notification settings.

Changing notification settings for a group chat and channel

Individual group chats and channels can also be modified. Here are the steps to get you started:

1. Log in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Click a group chat or channel in the chat list.
4. Click the down arrow .
5. Hover over Notifications and change these settings:
   • UNREAD MESSAGE COUNT
     • Count unread messages (): Display an icon with the number of unread messages beside each chat. If this is unchecked, you will see a simple red dot to indicate unread messages.
   • PUSH NOTIFICATIONS: Select when you want to receive push notifications. Push notifications are displayed using your device’s push notification system.
     • All messages
     • Mention me or all members: Show notifications for private 1-on-1 chats and any time someone mentions your name in a group chat or channel using the @ symbol.
     • Nothing

Learn more about chat notification settings.

Turning off all notifications for a group chat or channel

To turn off unread message badges, unread message indicators (red dots), and push notifications for a group chat or channel, mute it.

Note: You will still receive notifications for @(your name) mentions.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Click a group chat or channel in the chat list.
4. Click the down arrow .
5. Click Mute Chat or Mute Channel.

Learn more about chat notification settings.

Searching chats globally or for a specific chat

can be done by entering keywords. Up to 10 of your most recent searches will be displayed for quick access (requires version 5.9.0 or higher).

1. Open Zoom on your desktop computer.
2. In the top-left corner, click Search. You will see up to 10 of your recent searches.
3. You can perform the same search again by clicking on one of your previous searches.
4. Type in the keywords you want to search for.
   Zoom searches all chats, channels, messages, and contacts by default. To narrow your search, use the following filters:
   • Top Results: Provides the best results of all options based on your search.
   • Contacts: Provides contacts or multi-user group chats that match your search.
   • Channels: Provides channels that match your search.
   • Messages: Provides messages that match your search. Also has the following additional filters:
     • Ordered by: Choose to sort search results that are Most Relevant or Most Recent.
     • Search in: Choose to search all chats or in a specific chat channel.
     • From: Choose to search for chats sent by a specific user or Anyone.
     • @me: Check this option to filter messages that contain @ mentions of you.
     • Only Search in <> channel: Narrows the search to the channel you currently have open.
   • Files: Lists the files that match your search. It also includes the following filters:
     • You can choose to sort search results by Most Relevant or Most Recent.
     • You can search all chats or a specific chat channel.
     • Select whether to search for files sent by a specific user or anyone.
     • Select the type of file to filter, such as image, video, etc.
     • You can search for files sent today, yesterday, last 7 days, last 30 days, or a custom time range.
     • You can only search for files in the channel that you have open at the moment.

Each contact and channel listing includes a badge that indicates how many unread messages you have for that contact or channel.

Using your personal chat space

A personal chat space is available for you to write messages, take screenshots, and save files.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. In the STARRED section, click your name.
4. Enter your notes, then press Enter.

Learn more about your personal chat space.

Pinning a message

A message can be pinned by any member of a chat group or channel to attract more attention. A pin icon appears at the top of the chat window next to the pinned message. A message can only be pinned once.

1. Start Zoom on your computer.
2. Select Chat.
3. Select a group chat or channel.
4. Click the ellipses next to the message you want to pin.
5. Click Pin for Everyone.

Learn more about managing chat messages.

Advanced features

After learning the basics of chat, use these features to get the most out of chat. For example, you can edit sent messages, format messages, and send other items in chat, such as images, emojis, and code snippets.

Editing a sent message

You can edit a message after sending it.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Select a chat.
4. Hover over the message you want to reply to and click the ellipses button .
5. Click Edit.
6. Adjust your message, then press Enter or click Save.

Learn more about managing your chat messages.

Formatting a message

You can apply formatting to your messages, such as bold, italics, and lists.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Select a chat.
4. Enter your message.
5. Highlight the portion that you want to format.
   Zoom will display these formatting options:
   • Bold
   • Italic
   • Underline
   • Strikethrough
   • Highlight color
   • Text Color
   • Font size
   • Paragraph (rich style)
   • Clear all formatting
   • Decrease/Increase indent
   • Bulleted list
   • Numbered list
   • Quotes
   • Insert link
   • Insert table
   • Files
   • Hyperlink
6. Use the available options to format text as needed.

Learn more about managing your chat messages.

Sending a file, screenshot, emoji, animated GIF, or code snippet

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Select a chat.
4. Click on these buttons above the chat box:
   • Screenshot: Minimize the Zoom window and capture a portion of your screen by clicking and dragging the capture box.
   • File: Display options to attach a file to the message. Click Your Computer or any third party file services to send a file on Zoom Chat.
     Note: If sending a video file, recipients will be able play the video directly in the chat window.
   • Audio Message: Start recording an audio message to attach to your message.
   • Code: Display a code snippet box where you can paste lines of code.
   • Emoji button: Display a list of emojis. Click an emoji to add it to your message.
     
     • Click GIF to add an animated GIF to your message.
     • Click the heart button to view your saved emoji.
       
       Click Edit then Upload Emojis to add a custom emoji.

Learn more about sending a file, screenshot, emoji, or code snippet, sending files using a file sharing integration, and sending a video in Zoom chat.

Following a message

Follow a message to receive push notifications for all replies to that message.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Hover over the message you want to follow.
4. Click the ellipses button .
5. Click Follow Message.

Learn more about managing your chat messages.

Sharing a sent message

Share a sent message to easily copy and paste it to another chat.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Hover over the message you want to share.
4. Click the ellipses button .
5. Click Share Message.
6. Select the chat you want to share the message with.

Learn more about managing your chat messages.

Setting a notification when a user is available

If a user’s presence status is not set to Available, you can let Zoom notify you when that user is available.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Hover over a 1-on-1 chat.
4. Click the down arrow.
5. Click Notify Me When Available.
   Zoom will display a push notification when the user’s presence status is set to Available.

Learn more about the different presence status icons and what they indicate.

Inviting chat members to a meeting

You can easily start a meeting from any chat, including all members in a group chat or channel to a meeting.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Select a chat.
4. Click the video button  in the top-left corner.
5. (Optional) Click the down arrow button  next to the video button, to decide if you want to meet with video or not. This is simply the default for the meeting and participants can enable their videos after joining.
6. Click Yes to confirm to inviting all members of the chat group or channel to a meeting.

Blocking contacts

Block a contact to prevent receiving messages from them. This will also prevent you from sending messages to them, or inviting them to a meeting from chat.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Hover over a 1-on-1 chat.
4. Click the down arrow .
5. Click Block Contact.

Accessing and installing chatbots

Third-party services can develop chatbots that are integrated in Zoom Chat. For example, you can install the Twitter chatbot to tweet, get retweets, and search for tweets from the Twitter chatbot in Zoom chat.

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop client.
2. Click the Chat  tab.
3. Scroll down to the BOTS section.
4. Click a chatbot to interact with it.
   Note: Some chatbots may have been deployed by your admin.
5. Click the add button  to open the Zoom Marketplace where you can install chatbots.

To learn more about a specific chatbot, visit the Zoom Marketplace.