Use chat effectively in Zoom - A guide

In this tutorial, I will guide you through the chat function in a Zoom meeting. The ability to communicate in the chat is one of the central features of Zoom, which allows you to interact with other participants, exchange information, or ask questions without interrupting the meeting. Let's go through the different aspects of this function step by step.

Key Takeaways

• The chat is easily accessible during a meeting.
• You can choose who to send a message to.
• File sharing is also possible.
• You have the option to save the chat.
• Different permissions can be set for participants.

Accessing the Chat

To open the chat during a meeting, you must first ensure that you are in the meeting. The chat is located next to the screen share on the left side, represented by a speech bubble icon. You can also open the chat function using the shortcut Alt + H.

Once you open the chat, a simple white window will appear. Here you can see with whom you can chat - in a meeting where only you are present, these options are logically limited.

If there are other participants in the meeting, you can choose whether to send your message to everyone or only to a specific person, such as Fabio or Lisa.

Sending Messages

Now that the chat is open, you can directly type into the text field what you want to communicate. When you type something, your name along with the time the message was sent will appear.

It is important to know that you can type and send messages as often as you want. When another participant sends a message, it will also be displayed in the chat, keeping everyone up to date.

Sharing Files

One of the useful functions of the chat is the ability to send files. To send a file, click on the corresponding symbol in the chat window. You have the option to select files from various cloud services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive or upload a file from your computer.

Once the file is sent, participants can download it with a simple click. This is particularly useful for quickly sharing materials during the meeting.

Chat Settings

In the chat, you also have the option to make various settings. Click on the three dots in the chat window to display the options. Here you can specify who is allowed to communicate in the chat - only the host or all participants.

If you wish, you can configure the chat so that only you can write after reviewing the contents, while the other participants can only read. This function is useful when you want to provide general information or a summary.

Save Chat

Another useful feature is the ability to save the chat history. This function can be found in the same three dots. You can find the chat log in the "Zoom" folder on your computer if you want all the information to remain available after the meeting.

Here you can view or copy the chat if you wish to share something with others.

Customizing the Chat Window

You also have the option to customize the chat window. The "Expand Chat" button allows you to enlarge or reduce the chat area, depending on how much space you want to use on your screen for it.

If you want to close the chat window again, simply click on "Chat" again or use the close icon displayed in the chat window.

Summary

Overall, the chat function in a Zoom meeting is a valuable resource for exchanging information and communicating with other participants. This detailed guide provides you with all the information to interact safely and effectively in the chat.