2019-03-01 00:23:34 +01:00
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# Private messages
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**Private messages (PMs)** are one-on-one conversations between you and
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another user. **Group private messages (group PMs)** are small
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discussions with a group of users.
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PMs and group PMs work well for one-off conversations. If you find yourself
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frequently conversing with the same person or the same group of people, we
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highly recommend [creating a private stream](/help/create-a-stream) for your
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conversations instead.
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Note that group PMs are not the same as [user groups](/help/user-groups) or private
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streams. PMs and group PMs do not have
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[topics](/help/about-streams-and-topics), and do not appear in your list of
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streams.
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2019-03-07 23:19:11 +01:00
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### Send a PM or group PM
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2019-03-01 00:23:34 +01:00
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{start_tabs}
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1. [Open the compose box](/help/open-the-compose-box) by typing `x` or clicking
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**New private message** at the bottom of the screen.
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2. Start typing a user's name, and select the user from the list of
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suggestions. Repeat as necessary.
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3. Compose a message, and click **Send**.
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{end_tabs}
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2019-03-07 23:19:11 +01:00
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### Access a PM or group PM
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2019-03-01 00:23:34 +01:00
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There are several ways to access an existing PM or group PM.
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* For recent conversations, click on **Private messages** near
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the top of the left sidebar.
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* Click on any user or group in the right sidebar.
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* Start typing a user's name in [search](/help/search-for-messages). You'll be
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able to select PMs or group PMs with that user.
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* Open the compose box, and enter in a (list of) users. Type `Ctr + .` (or
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`Cmd + .` on a mac) to open that conversation.
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