# Write and send a message

> How to write and send a message in Rasum, reply to a message, mention people with @, and what link previews and text formatting are about.

Source: https://doc.rasum.chat/en/nachrichten/schreiben/

At the bottom of every chat is the input bar. That is where you write your message and send it.

## Send a message

1. Open a chat in the chat list.
2. Tap the input field at the bottom.
3. Write your message.
4. Tap the send button on the right.

Your own messages appear in a bubble with a colour gradient from turquoise through blue to violet. Other people's messages appear in a single-colour bubble.

**Android:** The send button is a paper plane [Icon: paper plane]. It changes colour as soon as you have typed text.

The small symbol below the message shows whether it has arrived. See [Message status](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/nachrichten/status/).

## What does the empty input field say?

The empty input field shows a grey hint. It tells you whether the chat is encrypted:

- **"Encrypted message…"** – the chat is end-to-end encrypted.
- **"Message…"** – the chat is not encrypted.

**iPhone:** In unencrypted chats, **"Not encrypted"** with a crossed-out lock [Icon: crossed-out lock] also appears above the input field.

## What buttons does the input bar have?

- [Icon: plus] **Plus on the left:** opens the attachment menu for photos, videos, files, GIFs and polls. See [Photos, videos and files](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/medien/fotos-videos-dateien/) and [GIFs and polls](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/medien/gifs-und-umfragen/).
- [Icon: microphone] **Microphone on the right:** appears as long as the field is empty. Use it to record a voice message. See [Voice messages](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/medien/sprachnachrichten/).
- **Send button on the right:** appears as soon as you type text.

## Reply to a message

A reply shows which message you are referring to.

1. Long-press the message you want to reply to.
2. Tap **"Reply"**.
3. Above the input field it now says **"Replying to …"** with the person's name.
4. Write your reply and send it.

**Android:** You can also swipe a message to the right to reply.

Your reply shows the original message at the top of the bubble. If you decide not to reply after all, tap the X [Icon: X] above the input field.

There is no separate "Quote" function. Use **"Reply"** instead.

## Mention someone with @

With a mention, you address a specific person in a chat. They get a special notification, and the @ symbol [Icon: at sign @] appears in their chat list.

1. Type **@** in the input field.
2. Type the first letters of the name.
3. Choose the person from the suggestions.

**iPhone:** In groups there is also the suggestion **"Everyone"** (**"Notify the whole room"**). This mentions everyone in the chat.

## Link preview

If you send a link to a website, Rasum shows a small preview below the message with the title and sometimes an image. The link preview is always on. There is no switch to turn it off.

**Android:** Up to two previews appear per message. If a page cannot be loaded, no preview appears. If you have chosen to hide media under **"Show media in timeline"**, no link previews appear either.

## Format text

There are dedicated tools for formatting your text.

1. Tap the plus on the left of the input bar.
2. Tap **"Text Formatting"**.

## Who is typing right now?

If someone in the chat is typing a message, the bottom of the chat shows for example **"Anna is typing…"**. This indicator only appears if **"Share presence"** is turned on. See [Presence and read receipts](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/einstellungen/praesenz-und-lesebestaetigungen/).

## Why can't I write in a chat?

Some chats do not allow everyone to write. The chat's administrators decide this. On the iPhone, it then says **"You do not have permission to post to this room"**.

## Close the keyboard

**Android:** If you scroll up in the chat, the keyboard closes by itself.

## Change or delete a message

You can edit or remove a message after sending it. See [Edit, delete and more](https://doc.rasum.chat/en/nachrichten/bearbeiten-loeschen/).