Messages

Start a conversation

So a topic gets a home instead of scattering across direct messages.

How to do it

1. Press the “+” above the conversation list.
2. Pick Direct, Group or Channel, depending on how many people it reaches.
3. Name it, add whoever takes part, and choose whether the channel is public or private.

How to undo it. A channel is archived, not destroyed: it sits in the “Archived” tab, read-only, and unarchives from its own row.

Join a public channel

To walk into a conversation that is already happening, without waiting to be added.

How to do it

1. Press “Channels” in the left column, below “Messages”.
2. Find the channel by name and press to join.

How to undo it. You can leave a channel from its settings at any time, and walk back in while it is public.

Mention someone

So the notification reaches them without a separate message.

How to do it

1. Type “@” in the message and pick the person from the list that opens.
2. Send: the notification arrives even with the channel closed.
3. In a direct message “@” offers nobody: the other person already knows.

How to undo it. A message can be edited or deleted from its actions; editing leaves the edited mark.

Reply in a thread

To answer one message without cutting across the channel.

How to do it

1. Hover over the message and press “Reply”.
2. The thread opens alongside and the replies hang off that message.

Pin a message

So what matters stays on top while the channel keeps moving.

How to do it

1. Open the message actions and press pin.
2. Choose how long it lasts: forever, or until a date.
3. Pinned messages show in the band at the top of the channel.

How to undo it. A pin comes off from the message itself, and dated pins expire on their own.

Share a file

So the document lives next to the conversation that needs it.

How to do it

1. Press “Attach file” next to the message box and pick the file.
2. Send the message: anyone in the channel can download it.

Call from the conversation

To move from typing to talking when writing costs more than speaking.

How to do it

1. Open the conversation and press the phone for voice, or the camera for video. Calling comes with the Team edition: on Free both buttons stay switched off and say so on hover.
2. Everyone in the channel gets a ring and joins from there.
3. The call is then listed in Meetings, with its link.

How to undo it. Hanging up ends the call; the meeting stays in Meetings and whoever created it can delete it.

Talk to someone from another organization

To deal with a client or a partner without leaving for another tool.

How to do it

1. Press “Message someone outside” above the list.
2. Search the person by name and open the direct message.
3. Both organizations have to allow it; the search says so when one does not.