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Using Instant Messaging

Messaging a ContactMessaging Multiple ContactsUsing Smart TagsUsing LiveWordsSaving an IM Conversation to a Text File

Messaging a Contact

Instant messaging is the ability to exchange messages in real time with other people over the Internet. Similar to email, instant messages consist of text that you and your contacts send back and forth. But, unlike email, you don’t have to wait hours or days for an answer. As the name suggests, messages usually arrive instantly.

The Messenger window displays lists of contacts and provides access to the Instant Message (IM) window shown below. This window is the interface for typing, sending, and reading instant messages.

Hold the cursor over the red dot. To learn more about the Instant Message window, place the cursor over a red dot in the picture below.

The Instant Message windowClick these menus to perform a variety of tasks.Click these buttons to initiate various features, such as making calls, playing games, or sharing photos.View your contact’s name and initiate other communication options.View your contact’s display image.View your IM conversion here.Select from a variety of Audibles, which are animated characters that say things out loud when sent to your contact.Use these tools to customize the text in your messages.Use these tools to send your contact features such as emoticons and IMVironments.View, modify, and display your display image.Type your message here, then click the Send button.Click this button to show or hide your display image.Type information here and press the <Enter> key to display search results in a web browser.

You can send instant messages to contacts in your Messenger List or your Messenger address book or to anyone else if you know their Yahoo! ID and if they are Messenger users. You can even IM with Windows Live™ Messenger friends!

 

Here’s How

To message a contact in your Messenger List:

  1. Begin sending an instant message in one of the following ways:

    • In the Contact Search Bar above your Messenger List, begin typing the contact’s name, nickname, or ID, then select the row containing the contact’s name and Instant Message from the pull-down list. (You can also double-click the contact’s name in the Messenger List.)

      Begin typing a contact's name, then select the name from the pull-down list.

    • In the Messenger List, move the cursor over the contact’s name, then click the instant message icon in the contact card.

      Click the instant message icon in the contact card.

    • In the Address Book, move the cursor over the contact’s name and click the IM button.

      Click the IM button next to a contact's name.

    The IM window opens.

  2. In the input area of the IM window, type your message, then press the Enter key on your keyboard or click the Send button.

    Type your message, then click the Send button.

    Note: When a contact is offline, an inline notification in the IM window tells you that the contact will receive the message after signing in.

    The conversation area of the window shows the message you sent. When the contact replies, the response appears here as well.

    The conversation area displays your message and the contact's response.

 

To message a contact who isn’t in your Messenger List:

You can instant message anyone who is a Messenger user if you know the person’s Yahoo! ID, even if that person isn’t on your Messenger List.

Tip: Consider adding people to your Messenger List so that you can easily communicate with them whenever you like. See the Adding Contacts to Your Messenger List tutorial for more information.

  1. In the Contact Search Bar above your Messenger List, enter the person’s Yahoo! ID, then select Instant Message from the pull-down list.

    Enter a Yahoo! ID, then select Instant Message from the pull-down list.

    Tip: If the person you want to instant message isn’t in your list, type the person’s Yahoo! ID, then select Instant Message from the pull-down list. Some IDs have domains other than @yahoo.com, such as @sbcglobal.net or @verizon.net. When typing these IDs, be sure to add the full domain (person1@sbcglobal.net, person2@verizon.net). You don’t need to type the @yahoo.com domain.

    An IM window opens, where you can begin conversing with this contact.

 

What’s Next

You can also instant message a contact directly from your Yahoo! Contacts. See the Related Tutorials for more information.

You can also send a message to multiple contacts.

 

Help Topics

 
 

Words to Know

  • Contact: a person with whom you interact; someone to whom you might want to send an email or instant message.
  • IM: the acronym for instant message.
  • Instant messaging: the ability to exchange messages in real time with other people over the Internet.
  • Messenger List: a list of coworkers, friends, family, and associates who also use Messenger.
  • Windows Live™ Messenger: Microsoft® Windows’ free instant messaging application.
  • Yahoo! ID: the name by which a person is known to all Yahoo! networks.