> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.dingtalk.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get Started with Chats

> Get started with Chats on desktop: open the conversation list, start direct messages or group chats, send formatted text and files, start video conferences, and search past chats.

Chats is where you manage work conversations in DingTalk. From the desktop app, you can start a direct message, create a group chat, search past conversations, and adjust how conversations appear in your list.

## Open Chats

In DingTalk desktop app, click **Chats** in the left sidebar.

Your conversation list shows recent direct messages and group chats, including unread indicators and the latest message preview. Use the search bar at the top of the window when you need to find people, groups, chat records, documents, reports, tags, functions, or departments.

## Start a direct message

Use a direct message for a private one-on-one conversation.

1. Click the search bar at the top of DingTalk desktop app.

![](https://alidocs.oss-cn-zhangjiakou.aliyuncs.com/res/mxPOG5zJab01knKa/img/778cff6b-8578-49c9-a6ff-897076a7b859.png)

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 Chats list so you can return to it later.

## Create a group chat

Use a group chat when multiple people need to discuss the same topic or project.

1. Click **+** in the upper-right corner of DingTalk desktop app.

![](https://alidocs.oss-cn-zhangjiakou.aliyuncs.com/res/mxPOG5zJab01knKa/img/11a04c4a-b5ff-43f4-a42f-a4c71316db2b.png)

2. Select **New Chat**.

![](https://alidocs.oss-cn-zhangjiakou.aliyuncs.com/res/mxPOG5zJab01knKa/img/47a19797-43ce-4378-84ae-9d1f949bcfb8.png)

3. In **Select Contact**, search for people or choose from **Friends**, **Organization**, **Groups**, or **Import**.

4. Select the people you want to add.

5. Click **Confirm**.

After the group is created, it appears in your Chats list.

## Send and format messages

Use the message composer at the bottom of a conversation to write and send messages.

| Task                          | How to do it                                                                                                                     |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Send a text message           | Type a message, then press **Enter** or click **Send**.                                                                          |
| Add a line break              | Press **Shift + Enter**.                                                                                                         |
| Format text                   | Click **Aa** to open the rich text toolbar.                                                                                      |
| Send silently or lock sending | Click the dropdown arrow next to **Send**, then choose **Set silent** or **Lock Send**.                                          |
| Open composer shortcuts       | Click **+** to use **Contacts**, **Code snippet**, **DingTalk documentation**, **New Event**, **Video Conference**, or **Mail**. |

## Start a video conference

When a chat discussion needs a live conversation, open a conversation, click **+** in the message composer, then select **Video Conference**.

In a group chat, you can also use the video meeting icon in the upper-right corner of the conversation.

![](https://alidocs.oss-cn-zhangjiakou.aliyuncs.com/res/mxPOG5zJab01knKa/img/5d0a4a3b-b840-4097-9a30-e8b92a75b19c.png)

## Search messages and files

To search within a conversation, open the conversation and click the search icon in the upper-right corner. **Chat Records** opens by default. Enter a keyword, then use **Filter** to narrow the results if needed.

To browse shared files, open a conversation and click the file/folder icon in the upper-right corner.

## Manage a conversation

Right-click a conversation in the conversation list to manage how it appears and notifies you.

| Action                          | What it does                                                    |
| ------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Set-top session**             | Keeps the conversation near the top of your list.               |
| **Mark as unread**              | Marks the conversation as unread so you can return to it later. |
| **Message Do Not Disturb**      | Mutes notifications for the conversation.                       |
| **Do not display this session** | Hides the conversation from the list.                           |
| **Empty chat history**          | Clears local chat history for the conversation.                 |

![](https://alidocs.oss-cn-zhangjiakou.aliyuncs.com/res/mxPOG5zJab01knKa/img/1bf6fa20-eafc-4173-9add-2ed937674e24.png)

## Open group settings

Open a group conversation and click the gear icon in the upper-right corner. From Group Settings, you can view members, open **Notice**, use **Group Invitation**, update **My Nickname in Group**, turn on **Mute Notifications**, open **Group Management**, clear messages, or **Quit** the group.

![](https://alidocs.oss-cn-zhangjiakou.aliyuncs.com/res/mxPOG5zJab01knKa/img/5e64b833-5c4f-4d03-90ee-170bf81b7bbc.png)

## Manage service conversations

Some conversations are created by DingTalk services or product features. Open the service conversation and click the gear icon to manage **Mute Notifications** or **Stick on Top**.