---
title: How to Start an Individual Chat
slug: portal-sub/how-to-start-an-individual-chat
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-03-04T12:03:13.716Z
---

# Overview & Requirements

When colleagues need to discuss information relating to a patient's care, or need to communicate about an administrative issue, they can do so (directly within Profile) by starting an individual chat. The following article will cover the process of how to start an individual chat in Profile's new enhanced Chat feature. 

## Requirements

- Profile version 9.0 and above

# Start an Individual Chat

1. Click on the **Chat** icon in the tool bar.

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:::Paragraph{indent="1"}
OR select **Chat** from your Profile icon.
:::

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2. Click on the compose icon in the left-hand **Chats **panel to start a new conversation.
3. Type in the name of the person you wish to start a chat with in the** To:** field of the main conversation screen.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note:** You must type in at least three characters. This process will only provide a 'contains match', not an exact match.

:::

        4. Select the person you are looking for from the list of names that appears.

![](https://api.qa.archbee.co/api/optimize/zICxj0dnLereb6UUrBA3-/QhURb9nWGt2xu27vXUwm3_dh3h1cr2uxbmhbtyf1zf0nv06y4d95oxhg.png)

        5. Start typing your message in the space provided.

![](https://api.qa.archbee.co/api/optimize/zICxj0dnLereb6UUrBA3-/ejvwpZm9R31cJtto9Blf-_zvy7gmvj6g8byudtr8jovc36lgam7c9wuw.png)

         6. Click **Send**, when your message is complete. 

         7. Your message will appear in the middle of the conversation screen.

![](https://api.qa.archbee.co/api/optimize/zICxj0dnLereb6UUrBA3-/r0spPHHJMJgVbvq8Y45tj_xxexzkevs4qaorrpen5molimdvqiiq1kng.png)

        8. The person you are communicating with will be notified of your message. 

        9. Once they respond, you will be notified, and the unread message will be distinguishable from your 

            other messages and will be placed at the top of the chat list in the **Messages **Tab. 

       10. Click on the message to open the chat and their response will be visible below the last message you sent

             to them.

## Notifications

When someone sends you a message in the Chat feature, a pop-up notification will appear at the bottom right-hand corner of your screen. 

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Clicking on the pop-up notification will take you directly to the Chat feature in Profile. From there, any unread messages will appear, in bold, on the left panel of the Chat feature. Simply click on the bolded messages to read and respond.

There will also be a Work Notification for new unread chat messages that will remain even after the pop-up notification disappears.

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# Learn More

- [The Enhanced Chat Feature in Profile ](docId\:tzw_XR36G_BxrJxdONCb6)
- [FAQs: Profile's Enhanced Chat Feature](docId\:OgdgQ1tQ0YtEL1ELzFxZ0)
- [How to Configure the Enhanced Chat Feature](docId\:A1r0rTUKLDtotckriztuN)
- [How to Create and Customise a Group Chat](docId\:qTysq73mhEbSqt9rc_lIM)
- [How to View Conversation History in Chat](docId\:C7MbLXpfU5I-mHiaqH2lj)
- [How to Change Your Availability Status in Chat](docId\:kwFJgTf6OVjqBNrbf0Xoa)