Overview

This comprehensive guide covers how to add chat functionality to Spaces in Chati. Chats are essential for creating interactive virtual event experiences, and are commonly used in help desks, networking spaces, and exhibitor booths. This guide focuses on the critical considerations for desktop-to-mobile compatibility and the two main approaches for implementing chats. 

Looking to get started quickly? Check out the quick start guide for adding group chats to spaces. 

Key Concepts 

Template Selection for Mobile Compatibility 

The most important consideration when adding chats to Spaces is selecting a template that supports the same content across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. Once you select a template, you cannot add new content types that aren't already supported on tablet and mobile views. 

Critical Rule: Choose templates that include Inline Chat components or Content Tab components if you plan to use chat. Templates must support content tabs on mobile/tablet for the content-based approach to work or have built-in inline chat that's responsive across all devices.  

Two Approaches to Chat Implementation 

1. Inline Chat Components - Built directly into the Space template 
2. Content-Based Chats - Added as space content  

Method 1: Template-Based Inline Chats 

When to Use 

• Only when your chosen template includes built-in chat functionality 

• For single chat rooms that don't require multiple separate conversations 

• When you want the chat to be permanently visible on the page 

How It Works 

Templates like "Space (Hybrid) - Help" include inline chat components that automatically adapt to responsive views. These are built into the template structure and cannot be removed, only toggled on/off. 

Critical Limitation: You cannot manually add inline chat components and replace them with booth content chats for mobile/tablet. If you try to add both manually added inline chat AND content-based chats, they will be completely separate chat rooms that don't sync with each other. 

• Manually added inline chats: Only appear on desktop, creating a broken mobile experience 

• Template built-in inline chats: Automatically link and respond across all devices 

Limitations 

• Only available in templates that include this functionality by design 

• Cannot manually add inline chats to booth content - these won't appear on mobile/tablet 

Method 2: Content-Based Chat Implementation (Recommended) 

This approach provides the most flexibility and ensures compatibility across all device types. 

Step 1: Create Chat Content Features 

1. Navigate to Spaces in your event panel 
2. Select your Space and go to Content 
3. Create a new content item:  
   • Content Title: Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "General Discussion", "Help Desk Chat") 
   • Display Order: Set the order for content tabs 
   • Feature Type: Select "Chat" from the dropdown 
   • Availability: Set date/time ranges if needed (if no availability is specified, the chat will always be available) 
   • Toggle "Content is active and accessible" to enable 
4. Apply and Save the content

Step 2: Link Chats in Booth Content 

Since content-based chats appear as tabs on mobile/tablet, you'll need to create access points in your booth content for desktop users. 

1. Launch the booth editor for your Space 
2. Add interactive elements to link to your chats:  
   • Hotspots: Invisible clickable areas over graphics 
   • Buttons: Visible call-to-action elements 
   • Images: Clickable graphics with chat prompts 
3. Configure the link:  
   • Click Action Type: Select "Booth Feature" 
   • Feature Selection: Choose your chat content 
   • Display: Select "Open in Modal" for overlay display 

Step 3: Configure Mobile/Tablet Content 

1. Go to Tablet Properties in booth settings 
2. Click Edit under Default Contents 
3. Add Content and select your chat feature 
4. Repeat for Mobile Properties 
5. Save all changes 

Managing Multiple Chats 

Creating Additional Chat Rooms 

1. Return to Contents in your Space settings 
2. Create additional content items with Feature Type "Chat" 
3. Use descriptive titles like "Technical Support", "Networking Lounge", "Product Questions" 
4. Add corresponding booth elements (hotspots, buttons, images) for each chat 
5. Link each element to its respective chat content 
6. Update tablet and mobile content to include all chat options 

Best Practices for Multiple Chats 

• Use clear, descriptive names for each chat room 

• Create visually distinct access points in your space design 

• Consider the user journey and logical chat room purposes 

• Test the mobile experience to ensure easy navigation between chats

Group Chat Admin/Space Staff Features 

Message Management 

For Admins and Space Staff only: 

Pinning Messages 

• Hover over any message to reveal admin options 

• Click the pin icon (appears on the right side of the message) 

• Pinned messages appear at the top with a blue highlight and pin icon 

• Multiple messages can be pinned at a time 

Common Use Cases for Pinned Messages 

• Welcome messages: "Welcome to Technical Support! Please describe your issue." 

• Chat topic guidelines: "Use this space to discuss networking opportunities." 

• Important announcements: "The session will begin in 10 minutes." 

• Help desk status: "This help desk is currently unmonitored. For immediate assistance, email support@company.com" 

Deleting Messages 

• Click the delete icon when hovering over messages, this action cannot be undone 

• Reporting Note- deleted messages are included in reporting along with who they were deleted by 

Clearing All Messages 

• Click the three dots (menu) icon in the chat interface 

• Select "Clear all channel messages" 

• Warning: This removes ALL messages including pinned messages and cannot be undone 

Available for staff and attendees:  

Editing Messages 

• Click the pencil (edit) icon when hovering over messages 

• Modify the message content in the text field 

• Save changes - edited messages show "last edited" timestamp

Template Compatibility Reference 

Requirements for Chat Functionality 

For chats to work properly across all devices, your template must include: 

• Content Tab component - Allows content-based chats to appear as tabs on tablet/mobile 

• OR built-in responsive inline chat - Pre-designed chat that adapts to all screen sizes 

Recommended Chat Templates 

Space (Hybrid) - Help 

• ✅ 3D Responsive design 

• ✅ Inline chat option (built-in) 

• ✅ Content tab option 

• Best for: Help desks, support spaces, single-purpose chat environments 

Space (Hybrid) - Networking 

• ✅ 3D Responsive design 

• ✅ Content tab option 

• Best for: Multiple chat rooms, networking events, discussion-focused spaces 

Templates Requiring Verification 

Before selecting any other template, verify it includes: 

1. Content Tab component in the tablet/mobile view, OR 

2. Built-in inline chat that's responsive across devices 

Warning: Templates without Content Tab components cannot display content-based chats on mobile/tablet, making the content-based approach unusable. 

Troubleshooting Common Issues 

Chat Not Appearing on Mobile/Tablet 

• Verify that the chat content is added to both Tablet and Mobile Properties 

• Check that the content is marked as "Active and accessible" 

• Confirm the Display Order settings don't conflict with other content 

Multiple Chats Not Working Properly 

• Ensure each chat has a unique, descriptive title 

• Verify that all booth elements are properly linked to their respective chat content 

• Test that mobile/tablet content includes all necessary chat options 

Pinning Issues 

• Refresh the chat interface if pinned messages don't appear correctly 

• Check that you have admin or space staff permissions 

Desktop vs Mobile Inconsistencies 

• Avoid using inline chat components if you need multiple separate chat rooms 

• Test thoroughly on all device types before launching your event 

Best Practices Summary 

1. Choose templates carefully with mobile compatibility in mind 

2. Use the content-based approach for maximum flexibility 

3. Create clear access points in your space design for desktop users 

4. Use descriptive names for multiple chat rooms 

5. Test on all device types before going live 

6. Pin important messages to guide conversations 

7. Train your team on admin features for effective chat moderation 

8. Consider user experience when designing chat access points 

This approach ensures your chat functionality works seamlessly across all devices while providing the flexibility to create multiple, purposeful conversation spaces within your virtual event.