Overview
Messages helps centralize your communication efforts in a global inbox. Channels for each project make it easy to see recent activity and new messages posted. Messages also introduces new functionality with "Threads" - create organized discussions around specific messages, and "Save for Later" - flag important messages to review at a later time. A brand new text editor gives you more flexibility than ever with replies and reactions to messages. "Messages" is a beta feature available in Labs.
Join the community conversations around feedback and best practices here!
Beta Disclaimers
Attachments: File uploads and attachments are not yet supported in Messages. This functionality will be added in the coming weeks.
Notes Migration: While Messages is in beta it will live side by side with Notes, and old notes will not be available in Messages. When the time comes for a GA release, we will be migrating all your existing notes into Messages.
User Access
All GUIDEcx users can access and send messages.
By default, messages sent in a channel will be visible to all team members (internal and external), unless privacy is set to "Message Internal Only".
Admins and Managers will be able to see all channels. Customers, Contributors, Task Owners, and Guides will only see channel messages for the projects they have been invited to.
Admins can enable Messages for their organization within Labs. To navigate to Labs, click on the three-dot menu in the navigation rail.
Messages - Features
Global Inbox
Users can navigate to Messages via the navigation rail. A badge containing a # indicates how many new messages are available to view.
Once a user clicks into Messages, they will see all channels they have access to. Channels with unread messages bubble up to the top of the list. Leverage the Search functionality to quickly find channels.
Threaded Messages
Threaded messages help you create organized discussions around specific messages. They enable discussion around a topic in more detail without adding clutter to a channel. Hover over a message, then click the chat bubble icon to reply in a thread.
Depending on the size of your monitor or screen, you may be able to accommodate a view that displays your channel navigation, the project channel, and the threaded conversation at once.
If your screen is smaller, the threaded conversation will display when clicked on from the main project channel. To give more space to Messages, collapse your navigation rail.
Save for Later
We understand that running projects and assisting team members can be a demanding task, so you may be in the middle of something when an important message comes in.
Hover over a message and click the flag icon 
to "Save For Later". Circle back to review + reply at a time that is convenient for you. Messages that are saved for later will appear with a blue background.
All saved messages can be found in the "Save For Later" tab so you can quickly find messages you're looking for and take action.
Mark a "Save for Later" message as completed to remove it from the Save For Later list.
Email Notifications
There are two types of email notifications associated with Messages: “Mentions” and a “Daily Digest”.
Mentions
When a user "@ mentions" another user, the user that was mentioned is immediately sent an email notification. This @ mention functionality currently applies only for individual users. GUIDEcx is considering a "group mention" option in the future.
Within the notification email, the mentioned user can see the entire message and can choose “Reply via Email” or “Reply in Project". Users are encouraged to use these buttons vs. the email client native reply button to keep formatting streamlined in Messages.
Reply via Email: If a user selects this option, the email client will open the composer and populate the email address appropriately. The user can then type their message and hit send. GUIDEcx will take the response and add it as a reply within the message thread.
Reply in Project: If a user selects this option, they will be routed to GUIDEcx, and once authenticated, will land on the specific message within the threaded view where they can reply. No need to hunt through messages to find the @ mention!
Daily Digest
The Daily Digest notification is a once a day email that users will receive if they have any unread messages. This email goes out at 6 PM EDT and it will include details of a user's most recent messages (up to 5). The five most recent messages link back to each project, allowing users quick access to reply. At the bottom of the email users will see a count or indicator highlighting the # of unread messages remaining. If clicked, users will be routed to their Global Inbox in Messages.
Q&A
Why do I only see Project level channels?
Why do I only see Project level channels?
The initial beta of Messages will only allow for project level channels. We have future enhancements planned out, including Task level channels. Task channels will be nested below the project channel so that you can easily navigate to the task channel within the proper project.
Can I have custom channels?
Can I have custom channels?
Not yet, but we plan to build them.
Can I still send internal or private messages?
Can I still send internal or private messages?
Yes. Use the drop menu when sending a message to set privacy level.
Once a conversation is established as an “Internal” conversation, the replies can only be “Internal.” We do this as a precautionary measure to make sure we don’t expose a private conversation. However, if a conversation starts as a public or external conversation, you still have the ability to have “Internal” replies in the thread that only your internal team members will have access to view.
What options are available with the new rich text editor?
What options are available with the new rich text editor?
There are many formatting options available including the ability to nest lists and have better arrangement of paragraphs. Hyperlinks, emojis, and gifs can be added in messages.
Can I react to messages rather than writing a reply?
Can I react to messages rather than writing a reply?
Yes, hover over a message and select "Add reaction". you can use the “Add reaction” option when you hover over a message. This is the same menu you use to start a threaded reply or “Save For Later.”
Are there email alerts or email notifications tied to Messages?
Are there email alerts or email notifications tied to Messages?
Yes, there are email notifications for @ mentions, plus a daily digest recapping project activity.
Are there notification preferences for users?
Are there notification preferences for users?
Currently, there are not any notification preferences for users. We plan to build out a self-serve option where users can set their preferences, but this is not part of the initial beta. We hope that the relevance of both @mention notifications and the daily digest will prove not too bothersome to users in the interim.
Are attachments supported in Messages?
Are attachments supported in Messages?
Not yet, but attachments will be supported in the coming weeks!
Who gets the in-app notifications in the Messaging tab?
Who gets the in-app notifications in the Messaging tab?
Any user that is part of the project, or has visibility into the project, will get an in-app notification that there is a new message in the channel. Users must navigate to the inbox and view the channel to clear the notifications.
What determines which channels I see?
What determines which channels I see?
The channel list visible to a user is going to match the projects visible to them in the Projects page. Users see projects by either being a part of the project or by having an Admin or Manager license type that provides visibility across all projects. If a user has been invited to five projects and sees those five projects on the Project page, they should expect to see those same five project channels in the Messages feature.
Are there “Mentions” within Messages?
Are there “Mentions” within Messages?
You can still @mention users in a message.
Can I use the Global Inbox to navigate to projects?
Can I use the Global Inbox to navigate to projects?
Yes, within the Global Inbox you can navigate to a specific project channel. Within the channel page, click the channel header - this takes you directly to the project.
Can I access Messages after I navigate into a project?
Can I access Messages after I navigate into a project?
Yes, there is a Messages tab within the project. However, this only contains messages for the project you've selected. To view your global inbox, click on the Messages button in the navigation rail.
Is Messages available in the Compass View?
Is Messages available in the Compass View?
Yes, Messages can be accessed in Compass by clicking on "Messages" in the top navigation.
Can a user reply via the native email client reply button instead of the "Reply via email" or "Reply in project" buttons in the email body?
Can a user reply via the native email client reply button instead of the "Reply via email" or "Reply in project" buttons in the email body?
Yes, but formatting may be inconsistent in GUIDEcx as all content in an email exchange is synced over. To ensure consistent formatting, we encourage users to use the "Reply via email" or "Reply in project" buttons in the email body.
