Send messages#

plans-img Available on all plans

deployment-img Cloud and self-hosted deployments

Enter a message in the text field, then select Send Select the Send icon to post your message. to send the message. You can include images and file attachments to your messages by:

  • copying and pasting images.

  • dragging-and-drop image files into the text field.

  • selecting the Attachment Add a message attachment using the Upload files icon in the message formatting toolbar. icon.

Compose a message by typing into the text box at the bottom of the Mattermost screen, then select the Send Select the Send icon to post your message. icon.

You can also use a keyboard to send messages:

  • Press Enter on Windows or Linux, or ↵ on Mac.

  • To create new text lines, press Shift Enter on Windows or Linux, or press ⇧ ↵ on Mac.

Tip

  • From Mattermost v10, when sending a direct message, Mattermost warns you that the recipient’s availability is set to Do Not Disturb, and when the recipient’s local time is outside of regular business hours (between 10PM and 6AM). This warning displays directly above the message text field.

  • If you find you’re accidentally sending messages too soon, you can configure Mattermost to require Shift Enter on Windows or Linux, or press ⇧ ↵ on Mac to send all messages. Select the gear Use the Settings icon to customize your Mattermost user experience. icon to go to Settings, then select Advanced > Send messages on CTRL+ENTER.

  1. In a channel, tap on the text field at the bottom of the Mattermost app to type a message.

Type a message in the text box at the bottom of the mobile app.

  1. Tap on Send Select the Send icon to post your message. icon to send it in the channel.

Tapp on the send icon to send the message in the channel.

Tip

  • When you send messages in a channel, depending on the channel actions configured, specific words in the post can trigger a prompt to run a playbook. Access Channel Actions from the channel name drop-down menu in the center pane to see what automatic actions have been configured for the current channel.

  • Using a RTL plugin, Mattermost can automatically detect and display messages written using right-to-left scripts, such as Arabic, Hebrew, or Persian. Your system admin must install the RTL Plugin to enable this functionality.

  • Mattermost Enterprise or Professional customers can edit or delete messages after sending them if the system admin hasn’t restricted the ability to do so using advanced permissions.

Draft messages#

From Mattermost v7.7, when composing new messages, it’s easy to return to a message in progress later. Draft messages are added to a Drafts view available at the top of the channel sidebar

Global drafts makes it easy for you to find all messages in progress.

By default, message drafts are synchronized on the Mattermost server and are accessible everywhere you access Mattermost, including a web browser or the desktop app.

Tip

You can disable server-synchronized drafts and limit drafts to your current Mattermost client only by going to Settings > Advanced > Allow message drafts to sync with the server.

When composing a message, you can simply opt to complete it later by exiting the channel.

The partially composed message is retained in the text field and you can see a Edit icon. before the channel name on the app.

You can sync a daft message by exiting the channel mid-way while composing the message.

Note

System admins can disable global drafts by disabling message draft server sychronization in the System Console.

Edit messages#

All users can edit their own sent messages, unless the system admin has restricted the ability to do so.

  1. Using Mattermost in a web browser or the desktop app, select the More Use the More icon to access additional message options. icon next to a message that you’ve sent.

Select the More option to edit or delete a sent message.

  1. Select Edit to edit your own messages. Editing a message won’t trigger new @mention notifications, or desktop notifications.

  1. Long press on the message that you want to edit and tap on Edit.

Tap and hold on a message that you want to edit.

  1. Type the updated message and tap on Save.

Type the updated message and tap save to save the edited message.

Delete messages#

All users can delete their own sent messages, unless the system admin has restricted the ability to do so.

  1. Using Mattermost in a web browser or the desktop app, select the More Use the More icon to access additional message options. icon next to a message that you want to delete.

  2. Select Delete to delete your own messages. Select Delete again to confirm.

  1. Long Press on the message you want to delete and tap on Delete.

Tap and hold on the message that you want to delete.

  1. Tap on Delete again to confirm your choice.

Confirm your choice to delete the message.

Restore a previous version of an edited message#

From Mattermost v7.9, you can view the edit history of your edited messages, and restore a previous version of an edited message. Message recipients can’t see your message edit history, and restoring a previous message version won’t trigger new @mention notifications.

  1. Select the word Edited next to your message.

  2. In the right pane, you’ll see all previous versions of the message.

  3. Select the Restore Use the Restore icon to restore a previous version of an edited message. icon next to the version you want to restore.

  4. Select Confirm.

Select Edited next to an edited message, and then select the version you want to restore.

Note

Restoring a previous version of the message is available in the Mattermost desktop app or a web browser. The ability to restore using the mobile app isn’t supported.

Do more with your messages#

Express yourself your way using the following message features: