# Quote and reply

You can quote a previous message, either replying within a topic or to
start a new topic.

The first line of the reply contains a [permanent link][link-to-message]
to the quoted message. Zulip automatically turns mentions in the quoted text
into [silent mentions](/help/mention-a-user-or-group#silently-mention-a-user)
to avoid unnecessarily mentioning someone twice.

!!! tip ""

    You can use [quote blocks](/help/format-a-quote)
    when quoting emails or other non-Zulip content.

## Quote and reply

{start_tabs}

{tab|desktop-web}

{!message-actions-menu.md!}

1. Click **Quote and reply**.

1. *(optional)* Delete any parts of the quoted message that are not
   relevant to your reply.

1. Send your message.

!!! keyboard_tip ""

    You can also use <kbd>></kbd> to **quote and reply** to the
    selected message.

{tab|mobile}

{!message-long-press-menu.md!}

1. Tap **Quote and reply**.

1. *(optional)* Delete any parts of the quoted message that are not
   relevant to your reply.

1. Send your message.

{end_tabs}

## Forward a message

{start_tabs}

{tab|desktop-web}

{!message-actions-menu.md!}

1. Click **Quote and reply**.

1. *(optional)* Delete any parts of the quoted message that you don't want to
   forward.

1. Select the desired destination stream or **Direct message** from the dropdown
   in the top left of the compose box.

1. Enter a topic name, or recipient names for a direct message.

1. Send your message.

!!! keyboard_tip ""

    You can also use <kbd>></kbd> to forward the selected message.

{tab|mobile}

{!message-long-press-menu.md!}

1. Tap **Quote and reply**.

1. *(optional)* Delete any parts of the quoted message that you don't want to
   forward.

1. If you are in a stream view, choose a destination topic by tapping the
   compose box and selecting an existing topic or typing a new topic name.

1. Send your message.

!!! tip ""
    To forward a message to a different stream or direct message recipient,
    you will need to copy-paste the contents of the compose box.

{end_tabs}

## Related articles

* [Replying to messages](/help/replying-to-messages)
* [Format a quote](/help/format-a-quote)
* [Link to a message or conversation][link-to-message]
* [Mention a user or group](/help/mention-a-user-or-group)

[link-to-message]: /help/link-to-a-message-or-conversation