6 Steps to Message on Google Docs Using Your Phone

Google Docs is a powerful collaborative word processing tool that allows multiple people to work together on documents in real-time. One of its most useful features is the built-in chat, which enables you to message other collaborators without leaving the document. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the chat feature in Google Docs on your phone.

Step 1: Open the Google Docs App

First, make sure you have the Google Docs app installed on your phone. Open the app and sign in with your Google account if prompted.

Step 2: Open or Create a Document

Next, open the document you want to collaborate on. If you haven’t created it yet, tap the colorful + button in the bottom right to start a new document. Give it a title.

Step 3: Share the Document

To use the chat feature, you need to share the document with at least one other person:

1. Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select Share & export
2. Enter the email address(es) of the people you want to share with
3. Choose their permission level (e.g. can edit, can comment, can view)
4. Tap the send icon in the top right

The people you shared with will receive an email invitation to open the document.

Step 4: Locate the Chat Icon

Once someone else has opened the document, you’ll see their profile picture or initial in a circle at the top of the screen. To the left of the share button, look for the chat icon – it looks like a quote bubble.

If you don’t see the chat icon, it means no one else is currently viewing the document. The chat feature only works in real-time when multiple people have the doc open simultaneously.

Step 5: Open the Chat

Tap the chat icon to open the chat panel on the right side of your screen. If this is the first time using chat in this particular document, the panel will be empty.

Step 6: Start Chatting

To send a message:

1. Tap the text entry field at the bottom of the chat panel
2. Type your message
3. Tap the send arrow or press enter on your keyboard

Your message will appear in the chat stream in chronological order, along with your name and timestamp. Other collaborators will instantly see it appear.

When someone else sends a chat message, you’ll see a pop-up notification if you’re looking at the document. If the chat panel is closed, their profile picture will display a red dot to indicate there are unread messages. Tap the chat icon to open the panel and view new messages.

Tips for Using Google Docs Chat on Mobile

• Mention someone: To get a specific person’s attention, type the @ symbol followed by their email address. They’ll receive a special notification that they were mentioned.
• React to messages: Press and hold on a chat message to bring up the emoji reaction menu. Tap an emoji to react without sending a full reply.
• See who’s online: The profile pictures at the top show you who’s currently viewing the document. If their picture is greyed out, they’ve opened the doc but are looking at another app or tab.
• Use chat for quick collaboration: Chat is best for short, informal messages about the document. For longer, more complex discussions, stick to comments or suggestion mode.
• No chat history: Chats are not saved when you close the document. If you refresh or leave and come back, the previous chat will be gone. Copy any important information into the doc itself or somewhere else if you need it later.

Limitations of Google Docs Chat on Mobile

While the chat feature is convenient, it does have some limitations on mobile compared to the desktop version:

• No chat while offline: Since chat requires real-time collaboration, it does not work if you’re offline. You need an active internet connection.
• Reduced screen space: Phones have much smaller screens than computers. With the chat panel open, you have less room to view the actual document. Toggle the chat closed when you need to focus on reading or editing.
• Can’t minimize chat: On desktop, you can shrink the chat window to a small popup that stays on screen as you scroll the doc. On mobile, the chat panel takes up a fixed portion of the screen and cannot be minimized.
• Fewer formatting options: The mobile chat offers only basic text entry. You can’t add formatting like bold or italics, insert images or links, or create bulleted/numbered lists like you can on desktop.

Despite these limitations, chat is still a useful way to quickly message collaborators while working together on a document from your phone.

Alternatives to Chat

If you need to have a more in-depth conversation or want features not available in chat, Google Docs offers other communication options:

• Comments: Highlight some text, then tap the add comment icon (square with a plus) to leave a comment anchored to that part of the document. Others can reply to continue the conversation. Comments remain in the doc unless manually deleted.
• Suggestions: Switch to Suggesting mode to propose edits that the document owner can accept or reject. Each suggestion has a comments thread attached for discussing the proposed change.

Conclusion

Google Docs chat is a convenient way to message other collaborators in real-time while working together on a phone. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily communicate with your team without leaving the document or opening another app.

While the mobile chat has some limitations compared to the desktop version, it’s still a useful tool for quick, informal collaboration. For longer discussions, comments and suggestions provide more robust options.

Ultimately, the ability to chat directly in a shared document from your phone helps streamline teamwork and keep everyone on the same page. The next time you’re collaborating on the go, give Google Docs chat a try.