How to Use Webex Meeting Chat
Learn how to open, read and send Webex meeting chat messages before, during and after a call, plus practical fixes for common chat issues.
Before you start
Webex meeting chat is part of the Webex meeting service, so you need a meeting that has already been created and access to the Webex desktop app, mobile app or web client. Guest participants may also use chat if the host has not restricted it. Check that you are connected to the meeting and that the meeting controls are visible on your screen.
The host can control who can chat during the meeting. Depending on the meeting settings, chat may be available to everyone or only to the host, presenter or panelists. If chat options are missing, the host may have disabled them for your role or for the whole meeting.
Step-by-step instructions
Open chat and choose a recipient
Select the chat button, usually shown as a speech bubble or labeled Chat, in the meeting control bar. In the chat panel, use the recipient menu to choose who receives your message. The available options typically include everyone, specific participants or the host and presenter only.
If the panel is hidden, the meeting layout may have collapsed the panel. Move the pointer over the side of the meeting window or use the layout controls to open it again. On a mobile device, the chat option may appear behind a more actions menu.
Send a message
Click or tap the message field at the bottom of the chat panel, type your message and confirm it with Enter or the send button. Messages sent to everyone are visible to all participants who can access chat. Messages sent only to the host or presenter are not visible to other participants.
Keep the message focused on the meeting topic. Chat is useful for sharing a short answer, raising a question while someone is speaking or pasting text that would be difficult to say aloud.
Use notification and visibility options
Webex can notify participants when new chat messages arrive. The host may enable or disable these notifications for the meeting from the meeting settings. If you miss messages, open the chat panel and check the message history available during the meeting.
Check the output
After sending, confirm that the message appears in the chat panel under the correct recipient. If another participant confirms that they received it, the chat is working for that message. Messages may remain available only while the meeting is active; availability after the meeting depends on how the chat was saved or shared by the host.
Long messages may be wrapped or truncated in the panel. If the chat is part of a recorded meeting, whether the chat appears in the recording depends on the recording settings used at the time.
Common problems and next steps
Chat button or panel is not visible
If the chat button is missing, the host may have turned off chat for the meeting or for certain roles. Ask the host to check the chat settings. If the control is present but the panel looks empty or frozen, minimize and reopen the panel, or check whether another layout is hiding the side panels.
Messages are not being received
Confirm that the recipient menu is set as intended. A common mistake is selecting one participant when the sender wanted to message everyone. If a recipient cannot see chat, their participant role may limit access, or they may be looking at a different view of the meeting.
Find chat history after the meeting
Meeting chat is primarily used during the live meeting. If you need a copy of the conversation after the meeting ends, check Webex files or messages if the host has saved or shared them. Do not assume that the chat is stored automatically in a reusable file.
Privacy and file handling
Treat chat as part of the meeting record. Messages sent to everyone are visible to all participants with chat access, including guests if the host allows it. Before sharing names, links or other information in chat, check who is in the meeting and which recipient group is selected.