# Mention a user or group

{!mentions-intro.md!}

## Mention a user or group

### From the compose box

{start_tabs}

{!start-composing.md!}

2. Type `@` followed by a few letters from a name or email address.

3. Pick the appropriate user or user group from the autocomplete.

{end_tabs}

### From the user list

{start_tabs}

{!right-sidebar-user-card.md!}

1. Select **Copy mention syntax** to add it to your clipboard.

1. Paste the user's mention syntax in the compose box.

{end_tabs}

### Via a message

{start_tabs}

1. Click on a user's profile picture or name on a message they sent
   to open their **user card**.

1. Select **Reply mentioning user** to start a reply to the conversation
   with a mention inserted into the compose box.

{end_tabs}

## Silently mention a user

A silent mention allows you to refer to a user without triggering a
notification. Silent mentions start with `@_` instead of `@`.

{start_tabs}

{!start-composing.md!}

2. Type `@_` followed by a few letters from a name or email address.

3. Pick the appropriate user or user group from the autocomplete.

{end_tabs}

## Mention all topic participants

Using the `@**topic**` mention, you can mention everyone who has previously
participated in the topic by sending a message or
[reacting](/help/emoji-reactions) with an emoji. This lets you notify just those
who have already engaged in the conversation.

Users can disable notifications for `@**topic**` mentions by:

- Disabling notifications for wildcard mentions
[globally](/help/dm-mention-alert-notifications) or for [individual
streams](/help/stream-notifications).

- Muting the [topic](/help/mute-a-topic) or [stream](/help/mute-a-stream).

## Mention everyone on a stream

You can mention everyone on a stream with the `@**all**` mention (or,
equivalently, `@**everyone**` or `@**stream**`). It's best to use these mentions
only when your message requires timely attention from many stream subscribers.
An organization can be configured to
[restrict](/help/restrict-wildcard-mentions) wildcard mentions in large streams.

Users can disable notifications for `@**all**`, `@**everyone**`, and
`@**stream**` mentions by:

- Disabling notifications for wildcard mentions
[globally](/help/dm-mention-alert-notifications) or for [individual
streams](/help/stream-notifications).

- Muting the [topic](/help/mute-a-topic) or [stream](/help/mute-a-stream).

## Examples

{!mentions-examples.md!}

## Related articles

* [Message formatting](/help/format-your-message-using-markdown)
* [Restrict wildcard mentions](/help/restrict-wildcard-mentions)
* [Quote and reply](/help/quote-and-reply)
* [View your mentions](/help/view-your-mentions)