Rocket.Chat lets you communicate with teammates using messages in channels, private groups, and direct messages. These conversation spaces are called rooms.
Within a room, you can:
Send messages
Format text
Share files
Record audio or video messages
Share your location
Mention teammates
Add emojis
This guide explains how to use these messaging features.
Send a message
All conversations in Rocket.Chat take place inside rooms.
To send a message:
Open the room where you want to start a conversation.
Type your message in the message composer at the bottom of the screen.
Press Enter to send the message.
Helpful typing tips:
Press Shift + Enter to add a new line without sending the message.
Use the arrow keys to move the cursor within the message.
Use the icons in the message composer to attach files, format text, or record media.
Before you begin Make sure your workspace administrator has configured the Message settings according to your organization’s needs.
Format messages
Formatting helps make messages easier to read and understand. Rocket.Chat supports formatting using either:
The formatting toolbar
Markdown syntax
Use the formatting toolbar
The formatting toolbar appears below the message composer when it is active.
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To format text using the toolbar:
Type your message in the composer.
Highlight the text you want to format.
Click the formatting option you want to apply.
On mobile devices, tap the T icon below the message composer to open the formatting toolbar.
The formatting icons are only visible when the message input field is active. If you do not see them, click inside the message box.
Use markdown
You can also format messages using Markdown syntax.
Format | Markdown Syntax | Example Result |
|---|---|---|
Bold |
| Hello team |
Italic |
| Hello |
Block quote |
| > Quote |
Strikethrough |
|
|
Heading |
| Large heading text |
Ordered list |
| Numbered list |
Unordered list |
| Bullet list |
Task list |
| Task checklist |
Inline code |
|
|
Code block | npm install | Multi-line code block |
You can combine Markdown formatting with the toolbar if needed.
Upload files
You can upload and share files directly in a room.
You can upload, forward, and search for files directly from any room.
Upload files to a room
To upload files to a room:
In the message box, click the Upload file icon (paperclip), or drag and drop files directly into the message box.
You can also paste an image from your clipboard.
(Optional) Add a file name or description.
Click Send to upload the file.
You can upload multiple files at once by selecting more than one file or dragging them together.
Forward files from a room
To forward a file to another user or room:
Hover over the file message and click the Forward icon.
Select the user or room you want to forward the file to.
Click Forward to send it.
Search for files in a room
To find files shared in a room:
Click the kebab menu (⋮) in the room header.
Select Files.
By default, all file types are shown.
Use the available filters to narrow your search by file type.
You can upload, forward, and search for files in a room using the Rocket.Chat mobile app.
Upload files to a room
To upload files from the mobile app:
In the message box, tap the plus (+) icon.
Select one of the available options to attach a file.
Tap Send to upload the file.
Forward files from a room
To forward a file to another user or room:
Long-press the file message and tap Forward.
Select the user or room you want to forward the file to.
Tap Send.
Search for files in a room
To find files shared in a room:
Tap the room name in the top menu bar.
Select Files from the room options.
All files shared in the room are displayed.
Note:
Your workspace administrator may restrict uploads for certain file types.
To upload files from Google Drive, see the Google Drive app guide.
Record audio and video messages
You can record and send audio or video messages directly in a room. Other users can listen to or watch your message and reply in the conversation.
Record an audio message
To record and send an audio message:
Open a room and click the audio message icon
.png)
(microphone) in the message box.Click the check icon
.png)
to finish recording.Click the cancel icon
.png)
to discard the recording.
(Optional) Add a file name and description and click Send.
Record a video message
To record and send a video message:
Open a room and click the video message icon
.png)
(camera) in the message box. A video preview window opens.Click Record
.png)
to start recording.Click Record again to stop recording.
Click Cancel to discard the recording.
(Optional) Add a file name and description and click Send.
You can record and send audio or video messages directly from the Rocket.Chat mobile app.
Record an audio message
To record and send an audio message:
Open a room and tap the audio message icon (microphone) in the message box. Recording starts immediately.
Tap Send to finish recording and send the message.
Tap the trash icon to discard the recording.
Record a video message
To record and send a video message:
Tap the plus (+) icon below the message box.
Select Take a video and record your video.
Tap Send to share the video, or Cancel to discard it.
When prompted, allow Rocket.Chat access to your microphone and camera to record audio or video messages.
Share your location
You can share your current location with other users in a room.
To share your location in a room:
In the message box, click the plus icon
.png)
.Select Share → Location
.png)
.When prompted, click Continue to proceed.
Your browser asks for permission to access your location. Choose Allow while visiting the site or Allow this time.
A location preview is displayed.
In the Share Location confirmation dialog, review the location.
Click Share to send your location, or Cancel to discard it.
Location permissions and confirmation:
Rocket.Chat requests access to your location only when you choose to share it.
The Share Location dialog lets you confirm the exact location before sending.
If you select Never allow in the browser prompt, location sharing is disabled.
You can change or revoke location permissions at any time from your browser settings.
Use emojis
Emojis help express tone and emotion in conversations.
To insert an emoji into a message:
In the message box, click the emoji icon
.png)
.Browse emojis using categories or the search field.
Select the emoji you want to add to your message.
Press Enter or click Send.
Use emoji shortcuts
You can also insert emojis by typing an emoji shortcut.
For example, typing
:)automatically converts to a smiley emoji.
Disable emojis
Workspace administrators can disable graphical emojis.
When emojis are disabled, emoji shortcuts and keywords appear as plain text.
To manage this setting, go to Account → Messages.
Typing indicator
Rocket.Chat shows when someone is typing in a conversation.
When another user is typing, a message appears below the composer such as: User is typing...
Typing indicators help participants know when a reply is in progress.
Mention users
You can mention other users in a message to get their attention.
To mention a team member in a channel type @ followed by their username (for example, @username). The mentioned user receives a notification, shown as a red badge, and may also receive an email or mobile notification if they are offline.
Mention everyone in a channel
For important announcements, you can notify all members in a channel use @all to notify everyone in the channel.
Use this mention sparingly to avoid unnecessary interruptions.
Expand message composer
You can expand the message composer to write and review longer messages more comfortably, without scrolling. The Expand button .png){kind=small}
appears automatically when your message grows beyond five lines. To return to the normal view click the Collapse button in the top-right corner of the expanded message box.
View PDF files
Use this mention sparingly to avoid unnecessary interruptions.
Availability
PDF viewing is available starting from server version 6.6.0 and desktop app version 3.9.13.
The PDF Viewer is supported only on the desktop app.
Requirements
In File Upload settings, the Storage Type must be set to Amazon S3, or Google Cloud Storage. For more information, see File Upload settings.
To open a PDF attachment:
Upload or receive a PDF file in any room.
Click the PDF attachment.
The PDF Viewer opens and displays the file directly within the app.
Rocket.Chat’s REST API endpoints enable you to send and manage chats. See the Messaging API for details.