Sending messages

Using Messaging
Last updated July 23, 2021

You can collaborate using instant messages, with anyone on StarLeaf, from your organization or another.

On this page:

About Chats

The Chats tab is where you can find all your one-to-one and group conversations. Conversations with the most recent activity in them are listed first. You can search for a conversation by typing the name of the person or group chat into the Search or dial bar.

Chats for small organizations

When a new user joins a small organization (less than 15 people), their chat list will be automatically populated with all other users in their organization.

This helps new users to instantly see that there are already existing users in the organization and who they are. Existing users will also receive a chat from the new user informing them that the new user has joined.

How to send a message

You can send a message to any person or group in your organization and this will open a chat with them. Here is an example of how to start a chat with someone on your iPhone:

  1. In the app, search for a person or group by typing their name or email address into the Search or dial field.

  2. Type your message in the text field.

    3. On a mobile device, select to send the message. Select Enter to add a new line.
    On a desktop, select Enter to send the message. Select Shift + Enter to add a new line.

If you open a Chat with another user but you do not send a message. This Chat will be automatically deleted from your list after 1 year of inactivity.

Sending messages outside of your organization

Sending messages and sharing files to StarLeaf users in other organizations is also possible.

  1. Select the New chat button on the Today or Chat tab.

  2. Enter the full email address of the person you want to start a chat with and select Start communicating.

    3. This opens a normal chat window and allows you to send a message.

    If the user is not yet on StarLeaf, you will have the option to invite them. Messaging between organizations is currently available for one-to-one chats only, not group chats.

How to reply to a message

You can directly reply to any message or attachment that someone has sent you. Replies that you make in a group chat are visible to everyone.

Reply on desktop

To reply to someone on desktop:

  1. Hover your cursor over the message that you want to reply to.
  2. Click the arrow icon that appears over the message.

    A preview of the message appears above the text field.

  3. Type your reply and press Enter.

    Your reply is sent alongside the quoted message.

Reply on mobile

To reply to someone on mobile:

  1. Touch and drag a message that you want to reply to, to the right.

    A preview of the message appears above the text field.

  2. Type your reply and touch the send icon.

    You reply is sent alongside the quoted message.

How to forward a message

You can forward any message or file that someone has sent you, to another chat.

To forward a file, you must first download it on to your device. For more information, see How to view a shared file.

Forwarding on desktop

To forward a message on desktop:

  1. Hover your cursor over the message or attachment that you want to forward, and select the more options icon:

  2. Click Forward.

  3. Select a contact a group to forward the message to by either searching for them in the Search bar, or clicking on them in the list.

  4. Click Forward. You message is forwarded.

The message will have a note attached to it, letting the receiver know that it is a forwarded message.

Forwarding on mobile

To forward a message on mobile:

  1. Press and hold the message or attachment that you want to forward.
  2. Touch Forward.

  3. Choose a contact a group to forward the message to by searching for them in the Search bar and selecting them.

The message will have a note attached to it, letting the receiver know that it is a forwarded message.

Message delivery status

When you send a message, the app lets you know the status of that message:

(3 dots) and the time at which you sent the message The message has not reached StarLeaf. You are not currently online
(one tick) and the time at which you sent the message The message has successfully reached StarLeaf and will be delivered to the recipient(s)
(eye) and the time at which you sent the message The message has been read by all recipients

In-call chat

You can send a message to a user or group while you are in a call with them. They must be a StarLeaf user or a StarLeaf group, otherwise the chat option is unavailable.

When you are in a call, select the Chat icon from the in-call features at the top of the screen. This opens the chat panel to the left-hand side, allowing you to send messages while remaining in the ongoing call.

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