Communicating with Contacts in Skype

This excerpt, Communicating with Contacts in Skype, is from Skype for Business 2016, the latest computer course released by Velsoft Training Materials.

In this section, we will talk about communicating with contacts using Skype for Business 2016 using instant messaging. We will also learn how to make an audio or video call to a contact and use the call window.

Searching and Adding Contacts

In order to send a message to a user, they must be in your contacts list. You may have contacts already in Skype for Business depending on your organization’s settings. To manually add a contact, enter their name in the search field:

Results will automatically be displayed as you type. Right-click the contact you want to add, click “Add to Contacts List,” and choose the group to add it to:

The contact will now be added:

Sending a Message

To send a message to a contact, double-click their name in the Skype for Business window:

A conversation window will open, where you can type your message:

Using the Conversation Window

Let’s take a closer look at the conversation window:

At the top (1), you will see the name of the person you are chatting with, along with commands to minimize, maximize, or close the window. Below this, you can add more participants (2) or open the Participants pane (3) to view more information about the people in the chat. The chat contents (4) will be displayed in the main part of the window.

Below the chat contents, you will see the area where you will type your message (5). To the left of this field are message commands (6), which allow you to:

• Add a file to the chat
• Mark a message as high importance
• Insert a hyperlink
• Add an emoji
• Send the message (or use the Enter shortcut)

The bottom bar (7) contains commands to (from left to right):

• Toggle the IM area on or off
• Start a video call
• Start an audio call
• Start presenting
• View more options

Replying to a Message

When you receive a new Skype for Business message, you will see a notification in the bottom right corner of your screen:

(A preview of the message may also be displayed depending on your settings.)

When you click “Reply,” the conversation window will open:

You can now type and send your reply:

Making an Audio or Video Call

If you want to start an audio or video call instead of a text chat, right-click the contact’s name and click the appropriate option:

Or, click the appropriate icon at the bottom of the conversation window:

With either action, the call will start:

Instructor Tip: If you receive a call, you will see the same notification as with an instant message, and similar options to accept or decline the call.

Using the Call Window

Let’s take a closer look at the call window:

You can see it is quite similar to the conversation window. At the top (1), you will see the name of the person you are chatting with, along with commands to change the view and minimize, maximize, or close the window. Below this, you can see the signal strength and call duration (2). You also have commands to add more participants (3) or open the Participants pane (4) to view more information about the people in the call. You can also toggle (5) the IM pane (6) on or off. The meeting contents (8), such as profile pictures, screen sharing, or presentations, will be displayed in the main part of the window.

At the bottom of the window, you will see call commands (7). From left to right, you can:

• Turn video on or off
• Mute or unmute your audio
• Share content
• End the call
• View the keypad
• Access more options (such as recording)