Navigate Google Chat

Use the chat navigation panel to:

  • Send direct messages to one person or group direct messages
  • Create virtual spaces for team projects
  • Find direct messages and spaces

Navigate around Chat

In the navigation panel, you can:

Start a new chat To open a direct message (DM) or a space to collaborate on projects, click New chat .
Catch up on your conversations

Find all your spaces and messages in Home . At the top right of Home, you can customize settings.

  • To find threads on your home screen, click Thread .
  • To find all unread messages on your home screen, turn on Unread .
  • To open selected DMs or spaces in a new panel on your home screen, at the top right, toggle Split pane mode .
Find all messages in which you’re tagged Under “Shortcuts,” click Mentions .
Find messages that you starred Under “Shortcuts,” click Starred .

Below the shortcuts, you can find all your direct messages (DMs) and spaces. In the left-hand menu, you can choose from:

Shortcuts

Get quick access to:

  • Home:
    • Find all of your conversations:
      • Toggle between all or unread conversations.
      • Select to display all conversations or threads.
    • To open selected DMs or spaces in a new panel without leaving "Home," toggle Split pane mode.
  • Mentions: Find all messages where someone directly mentions you.
  • Starred: Track important messages that you've starred.

Direct messages

Find all DMs between you and others. You can send a DM to one or more people.

Sections

Find all of your:

  • Spaces and apps organized by section.
  • DMs that you moved into a custom section.

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