When you are in a fast-moving group conversation in Google Chat, it can be confusing to know exactly who is replying to whom. To keep conversations organised and ensure your responses make sense out of context, you can use the “Quote in reply” feature to link your message directly to a previous statement.
How to Quote a Message on Desktop
If you are using Google Chat in your web browser or the standalone desktop app, follow these steps:
- Hover your mouse cursor over the specific message you want to reply to.
- A small toolbar of icons will appear on the right side of the message bubble.
- Click on the Quote in reply icon (it looks like a right-facing arrow overlapping a chat bubble).
- The original message will now appear as a blockquote inside your typing area at the bottom of the screen.
- Type your response below the quote and press Enter to send.
How to Quote a Message on Mobile
The process is slightly different on the Google Chat app for Android and iOS devices:
- Open the chat or space containing the message you want to address.
- Long-press (tap and hold) on the message bubble.
- A menu will pop up from the bottom of the screen.
- Select Quote in reply.
- The quoted text will be added above your keyboard. Type your reply and tap the send icon.
Using this feature is especially useful in large “Spaces” (Google Chat’s version of channels) where multiple conversations are happening simultaneously.