Use spaces in Chat

You can use spaces in Google Chat to get everyone in the same place to discuss a topic or team project. These spaces can be managed by an admin, the owner, or manager of the space. Members can follow conversation threads, collaborate on documents, and arrange for meetings all in the space.

Stay on task with inline threads

Aside from the main conversation in a space, messages can contain sub-conversations called threads. Threads are useful for when conversations go off topic or require in-depth discussion.

With inline threads, you can: See all threads in a space from the thread tab Reply to messages in the thread Follow threads

Organize files and tasks with spaces

Use spaces to organize and collaborate on projects that use Google Workspace tools, such as Google Docs, Calendar, and Meet. The Files and Tasks tabs are at the top of the space window.

	On the Files tab, you can: Add files Open a file in a side window Move where the file is stored in Google Drive Jump to the thread where the file is attached
	On the Tasks tab, you can: Create a task Mark a task complete Assign a task Assign a due date for task completion Jump to the thread where the task is attached

Create and manage spaces

When you create a space you become the space’s owner. Space owners and managers have the following privileges:

• Assign Chat roles—Space owners and managers can change roles of other users.
• Message control—Space owners and managers can delete messages.

Management best practices

Do	Avoid
Update space guidelines and description when setting up a space or as needed, When a space grows in users When a space’s use changes When a new organization rule affects chat	Making changes to guidelines without alerting users.
Remove chat messages that break your organization’s guidelines or the guidelines of the space.	Removing messages without informing the user why their message was removed.
Add and invite new users to spaces that are important or helpful to their work. Include any guidelines, rules, or protocols for using spaces in your organization.	Expecting users to proactively find relevant spaces and guidelines on their own.

Keep everyone on the same page with private, discoverable, or open spaces

 Learn about availability.

You can make a space private and restrict access to specific members. Or, you can make a space discoverable or open to everyone in your organization.

You can use open and discoverable spaces for topics that don’t need to be limited to specific individuals or teams. With open and discoverable spaces, information is more transparent, making it easier for topic-based discussions and collaboration.

You set the access level to a space when you create it. You can choose from the following options:

• Private—Users in your organization can’t find or join the space unless you add them.
• Discoverable—Users in your organization can find the space. Messages are only visible to space members.
• Open—Users in your organization can find and join the space, as well as preview messages.

After you create a space, only you and other space owners and managers can change the access level. Depending on how your organization is configured, you may be able to customize who can find and join a space by adding or removing various groups of users in advanced settings. You can configure the following permissions:

• Who can join a space—Allows the selected group of users to join the space without approval. Only one group can be configured.
• Who can find a space—Allows the selected group of users to find the space when browsing spaces. Multiple groups of users can be configured.
• Request to join—Controls whether users who do not have permission to join directly can request to join.

You can add new members in the Manage members page or by sending a user the space’s link.

You can find the space’s link:

• In the space header’s drop-down menu.
• In the system message after an open space is created or updated.

From the space's dropdown menu you can: View and add members Add people & apps View space details Copy link to this space Manage webhooks (developer only)

 To learn how to make a space space private, discoverable, or open, go to Change the space access level.

Best practices when creating a space

Before creating spaces, work with your administrator to:

1. Decide on the scope of the space.
2. Determine the access level based on what the space is used for:
   • If the space is for specific teams, projects, or groups, create a private space.
   • If you want to keep messages private to members while still allowing others to find the space and submit requests to join, create a discoverable space.
   • If you don't want to limit the space to specific teams or users, create an open space.
3. Create a clear description of what the space is for. The space description will make it easier for users to find your space using the search bar.
4. Create a set of guidelines for your space. If you have space owners or managers, discuss guidelines with them, as they will be enforcing them. If the space is small, you might not need guidelines.

Example spaces Company culture group Team group space Project planning space Company sports team Company news Watercooler space New hires space IT help Company feedback

Learn more

• Get started with Gmail
• Gmail cheat sheet
• Change the space access level
• Learn about spaces