chat.md

layout	title
product	Expensify Chat

Introduction

Expensify Chat is a tool for real-time collaboration with a Slack-style experience.

Main Uses

Key scenarios for using Expensify Chat:

• Team collaboration - Discuss projects and share updates in real-time.
• Client support - Keep all client communications and approvals in one place.
• Vendor engagement - Communicate with vendors for negotiations and orders.
• Friend coordination - Stay in touch with friends through direct messages or group chats.

Core Users

The main audiences for Expensify Chat:

• Teams - Coordinate work and resolve issues quickly.
• Remote workers - Stay connected via desktop and mobile apps.
• Clients - Manage projects and billing seamlessly.
• Vendors - Handle orders and payments efficiently.
• Friends and family - Easy personal conversations with file sharing.

Key Advantages

Benefits of using Expensify Chat:

• Integration with Expensify - Access expenses, invoices, and chats in one place.
• Instant communication - Message anyone with an email or phone number.
• Organized discussions - Threaded replies and emoji reactions.
• Easy file sharing - Directly share files and images within chats.
• Searchable history - Find past conversations and files effortlessly.
• Cross-device support - Stay connected on desktop and mobile.

Concepts

Chat Types

Expensify Chat supports several types of communication:

• Private chats - One-on-one communication.
• Group chats - Private conversations with multiple participants.
• Chat rooms - Public or private discussions available to workspace members.

Special Chat Rooms

Expensify Chat includes special chat rooms for specific purposes:

Admin and Announce

Special rooms in a workspace:

• #admins - Only accessible to Workspace Admins to manage settings and collaborate with other admins. This room includes your Expensify Setup Specialist and, if applicable, your Account Manager. You can also:

  • Chat with your dedicated Expensify Setup Specialist.
  • Chat with your Account Manager (if you have a subscription with 10 or more members).
  • Review changes made to your Workspace settings.

• #announce - For company-wide announcements. By default, all Workspace Members can send messages, but permissions can be updated to allow only admins to post.

Update Messaging Permissions in #announce

To allow only admins to post in an #announce room:

1. Open the #announce room chat in your inbox.
2. Press the room header.
3. Select Settings.
4. Choose Who can post and select Admins only.

Reorder Chat Inbox

Customize the order of chat messages in your inbox by pinning them or changing your message priority:

• Pin: Moves a specific chat to the top of your inbox list.
• Message priority: Determines the order of message display:
  • Most Recent: Shows all chats by the most recent, with pinned chats at the top.
  • #focus: Displays only unread and pinned chats, sorted alphabetically.

Pin a Message

To pin a message:

1. Press and hold (or right-click) a chat in your inbox.
2. Select Pin. The chat will be pinned to the top of your inbox.
3. To unpin, repeat this process and select the pin icon again.

Change Message Priority

To change message priority:

1. Press your profile image or icon.
2. Select the Preferences tab.
3. Choose Priority Mode and select either #focus or Most Recent.

Leave a Chat Room

To leave a chat room:

1. Open the chat room.
2. Press the header or the 3 dot menu icon in the top right.
3. Select Leave. After leaving, the chat room will no longer appear in your inbox, and you won't receive notifications from it.

Flag Chat Messages

Flagging a message as offensive (including unwanted behavior or offensive messages or attachments) escalates it to Expensify’s internal moderation team for review. The person who sent the message will be notified of the flag anonymously, and the moderation team will decide what further action is needed.

Depending on the severity of the offense, messages can be hidden (with an option to reveal) or fully removed. In extreme cases, the sender of the message may be temporarily or permanently blocked from posting.

Messages sent in public chat rooms are automatically reviewed for offensive content by an automated system. If offensive content is found, the message is sent to Expensify’s internal moderation team for further review.

To flag a message:

1. Open the chat in your inbox.
2. Press and hold (or hover over on desktop) the message and select Flag as offensive.
3. Select a category: spam, inconsiderate, intimidation, bullying, harassment, or assault.

Tutorials

[Create Room] How do I create a chat room?

To create a chat room:

1. Press the + button and select Start Chat.
2. Choose the #Room tab.
3. Enter a name for the room (ensure it's unique within the workspace).
4. Optionally, add a description.
5. Select Workspace to assign the room to a workspace.
6. Choose Who can post to set posting permissions (all members or only admins).
7. Set Visibility to determine room accessibility:
   • Public: Viewable by anyone (ideal for conferences).
   • Private: Only invited individuals can find it.
   • Workspace: Accessible by all workspace members.
8. Press Create room to finalize the setup.

Note: Anyone, including those outside the workspace, can be invited to private or restricted rooms.

[Invite Members] How do I invite members to a chat group or room?

Invite members using one of the following methods:

• Mentioning:

  1. Open the chat group or room.
  2. In the message field, type @ and the person’s name or email address. Repeat for all participants.
  3. Enter a message if desired and press Send.

• Members Pane:

  1. Open the chat group or room.
  2. Press the room or group header, then Members.
  3. Press Invite member, select contacts, and press Invite.

• Sharing Link or QR Code:

  1. Open the chat group or room.
  2. Press the room or group header, then Share.
  3. Copy the link or present the QR code for others to scan.

Note: These options are only for groups or rooms, not for private 1-on-1 chats.

[Start a Private Chat] How do I start a private 1-on-1 chat?

To start a private 1-on-1 chat:

1. Press the + button and select Start Chat.
2. Enter the name, email, or phone number of the person you want to chat with.
3. Select their name to start a new chat with them.

Note: You cannot add more people to a private chat. To include additional participants, create a group chat.

[Start a Group Chat] How do I start a group chat?

To start a group chat:

1. Press the + button and select Start Chat.
2. Enter the names, emails, or phone numbers of the participants and select Add to group for each.
3. Press Next and update the group image or name if desired.
   • Name: Select Group Name, enter the new name, and save.
   • Image: Select the profile image, upload a new image, and adjust as needed.
4. Press Start group to create the chat.

[Direct Message] How do I send a direct message?

To send a direct message:

1. Press New Message.
2. Enter the recipient's email or phone.
3. Type and send your message.
4. Attach files using the attachment icon.

[Send and Format Messages] How do I send and format chat messages?

To send and format chat messages:

1. Open any chat in your inbox.
2. Use the message bar at the bottom to enter your message, add attachments, and insert emojis.
   • To add a message: Press the field labeled "Write something" and type your message.
   • To add an attachment: Press the plus icon and select Add attachment. Choose the attachment from your files.
   • To add an emoji: Press the emoji icon to the right of the message field.
3. Press the Send icon to send the message.

You can format the text using markdown:

• Italicize: Add underscores _ on both sides of the text.
• Bold: Add two asterisks ** on both sides of the text.
• Strikethrough: Add two tildes ~~ on both sides of the text.
• Heading: Add a number sign # in front of the text.
• Inline image: Add ![Alt text](image URL) with the URL and alt text.
• Tag another member: Add an @ symbol followed by the member's name, username, or email.
• Mention a room: Add a # followed by the room name.

• Blockquote: Add an angled bracket > in front of the text.

• Code block for a small amount of text: Add a backtick ` on both sides of the text.
• Code block for the entire message: Add three backticks ``` at the beginning and end of the message.

[Start a Conversation Thread] How do I start a conversation thread?

To start a conversation thread within a chat:

1. Open the chat in your inbox.
2. Press on the message you want to reply to and select Reply in thread.
3. Enter and submit your reply in the new chat thread.

To return to the main conversation, use the link at the top of the thread.

[React Message] How do I react to a message?

To react to a message:

1. Hover over the message (desktop only).
2. Press the emoji icon.
3. Select an emoji to add to the message.

[Edit or Delete Messages] How do I edit or delete messages?

To edit or delete your own messages:

1. Open a chat in your inbox.
2. Press on the message you want to edit or delete.
3. Select Edit comment to modify the message. Once edited, an "edited" label will appear next to it.
4. Select Delete comment to remove the message or image for all viewers. Note that deleting a message cannot be undone.

FAQ

How do I get started with Expensify Chat?

Log in to your account and go to the Chat section to create or join chat rooms and start messaging.

Can I invite external users?

Yes, invite anyone via email or phone to join chat rooms or direct messages.

Can I search past conversations?

Yes, use the search bar to find specific messages or files in past conversations.

What's the difference between a private 1-on-1 chat and a group chat with only 2 people?

With a group chat, you can add additional people to the chat at any time. However, you cannot add more participants to a private 1-on-1 chat.

How do I remove someone from a chat group or room?

Currently, members have to remove themselves from a chat.

Why is someone I don't recognize in my #admins room?

Your #admins room includes your dedicated Expensify Setup Specialist who assists with onboarding and answers your questions. If you have a subscription with 10 or more members, your dedicated Account Manager is also part of the #admins room for ongoing support.

Additional Permissions

Some chat rooms may have permissions that restrict who can send messages. If you do not have the required permission level, you will not be able to send messages in those rooms.