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Use a Direct Message for a private one-on-one conversation. Direct messages are useful for quick questions, focused follow-ups, and work topics that do not need a group chat.

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Start a direct message

  1. Click the search bar at the top of DingTalk desktop app.
  2. Enter the person’s name.
  3. Select the person from the search results.
  4. Type your message in the input box.
  5. Press Enter or click Send.
After you open the conversation, it appears in your Messages list so you can return to it later. image.png

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Search within a direct message

Use in-chat search when you need to find something you discussed earlier with that person.
  1. Open the direct message.
  2. Click the search icon in the upper-right corner.
  3. Keep Chat Records selected.
  4. Enter a keyword.
  5. Use Filter to narrow the results if needed.
Search results open in context, so you can return to the relevant part of the conversation. image.png

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Manage a direct message

You can manage a direct message from the conversation settings or from the conversation list.
TaskPath
Mute notificationsOpen the conversation > gear icon > Mute Notifications
Keep the conversation at the topOpen the conversation > gear icon > Stick to Top
Mute from the conversation listRight-click the conversation > Message Do Not Disturb
Keep at top from the conversation listRight-click the conversation > Set-top session
Mark as unreadRight-click the conversation > Mark as unread
Hide from the listRight-click the conversation > Do not display this session
Clear local historyRight-click the conversation > Empty chat history

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Start a meeting from a direct message

Open the direct message and click the video meeting icon in the upper-right corner. The meeting starts from the current conversation, so you can move from chat to live discussion without switching context.