# Files in direct messages

You can upload files and images directly to a Direct message conversation. This allows you to keep documents limited to a smaller group, instead of making them available to the entire workspace.

When you upload a file to a conversation, **only the participants in that conversation can access it.** This makes it ideal for focused collaboration, sensitive discussions, or early drafts that are not ready to be shared more broadly.

### Why use Files in Direct Messages

Use this when:

* You want to share information with only one person or a small group
* You are working on a draft before sharing it with the wider workspace
* The content should remain limited to specific participants

**If the document later needs to be shared with more users**, you can [move the file to a Shared folder](#move-file-in-conversation-to-a-shared-folder) in the workspace. Once moved, it becomes accessible to all workspace users.

You can also **link files** from [Shared folders](/using-hippoly/files-and-folders.md) into a Direct message conversation if you want to reference existing material without re-uploading it.

## Add file to a direct message

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Click the `Add file` button in the message input field. 

<figure><img src="/files/pbXTjOiUCHZBkBLsbLut" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
To upload a file, select `From your device` in the menu.

To link a file from a Shared folder in the workspace, select `From Hippoly`.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
You can optionally add a text before sending the message.

<figure><img src="/files/UqxH5mCHRCEvE0cSogWS" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the `Send` button or press `Enter` on your keyboard.&#x20;
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Move file in conversation to a shared folder

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** When you move a file from a Direct message conversation to a Shared folder, the file becomes accessible to all users in the workspace.
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Click the `Files tab` in the conversation panel.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the `Menu-icon`  to the right of the file name.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select the `Move to shared folder` menu option.

<figure><img src="/files/njUcvfNYwlIxlHzTXLMU" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select the folder you want to move to in the dialog and click the `Move` button.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Remove file from a conversation

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** If you remove a file that was uploaded directly to the conversation, it is permanently deleted.

If you remove a file that is linked from a Shared folder, the file is not deleted from the folder. It is only unlinked from the conversation.
{% endhint %}

If you [delete the entire message](/using-hippoly/direct-messages/delete-direct-message.md), all files attached to that message are also removed from the conversation.

If you only want to remove a file but keep the text in the message, follow these steps.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Click the `Files tab` in the conversation panel.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click the `Menu-icon`  to the right of the file name.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Select the `Delete` menu option.

<figure><img src="/files/0qAXR4Ml9QAlmBLeqw0L" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

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