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How to Text from Skype for Business

It’s quick and easy to send a text from Skype for Business. Our step-by-step guide shows you how.

Instructions: Skype for Business Plugin Menu

There are 3 ways to send an SMS text message from Skype for Business, using YakChat.

1 – Contact Menu

Right-click on your Skype for Business Contact.

2 – Hover Menu

Hover your mouse over the contact avatar. Then click the ellipsis icon […]

1 – Enter Number

Enter the phone number of the person you wish to text in the Find someone or dial a number box. Then right-click the Skype for Business temporary contact card.

Screenshot of Skype for Business with YakChat Menu
Screenshot of YakChat Menu added to Skype for Business
Screenshot of YakChat Plugin for Skype for Business

1 – Contact Menu

Right-click on your Skype for Business Contact.

Screenshot of YakChat Menu added to Skype for Business

2 – Hover Menu

Hover your mouse over the contact avatar. Then click the ellipsis icon […]

Screenshot of Skype for Business with YakChat Menu

3 – Enter Number

Enter the phone number of the person you wish to text in the Find someone or dial a number box. Then right-click the Skype for Business temporary contact card.

Screenshot of YakChat Plugin for Skype for Business

How do I export my messages?

In order to export messages, simply select Export Messages from the YakChat menu.

This will bring up a window from where you can select the start and end dates of any messages you want to export.


Screenshot of YakChat for Skype for Business

Create & Send Text Message

Type your text message.

Then click the Screenshot of YakChat for Skype for Business Send Button(send) arrow or press Return to send the SMS text message.


Screenshot of YakChat for Skype for Business

Message Status

The status of your text message is shown in the bottom, right-hand corner of the speech bubble.

Simply hover over the icon to reveal the status of the message as well as the message charge.

Receive Text

SMS text replies will be displayed in the chat window in just the same way as your Skype for Business instant messages.


Screenshot of YakChat for Skype for Business

Multiple Text Conversations

You can manage multiple conversations with your contacts  Each conversation will be displayed as a tab on the left hand side of the YakChat window.

Click on the conversation to view the messages and send another text message.


Screenshot of YakChat for Skype for Business

New Message Notification

The conversation tab will flash when a new message is received.

If the YakChat window is closed, the YakChat icon will appear and flash on the Windows Taskbar and flash until opened.

Hover over the icon to see who the messages is from and click on the icon to open the message.

Screenshot of YakChat for Skype for Business

Closing YakChat

Clicking on the ‘X’ on the top right of the window will minimise the window but YakChat will still be running in the background.

If you have multiple conversations open, a window will be displayed to confirm whether just the current tab or all tabs should be closed.

Screenshot of YakChat for Skype for Business

Exit YakChat

To exit the YakChat application, right click on the icon in the Windows system tray to display the menu.

Click on Exit and YakChat will no longer run in the background to receive messages.

Screenshot of YakChat for Skype for Business

We hope our guide has been useful. But if you need a little extra support just let us know. We’re always happy to help.

YakChat SMS-enables Microsoft Teams for fast, compelling conversations. Connect instantly with your clients and co-workers anywhere in the world. You can add YakChat to your MS Teams or Skype for Business platform in minutes, so you’ll be up, running and texting in no time. What’s more, your contacts won’t have to download an app to get your texts. They can simply receive and reply to your messages in the same quick-and-easy way they do with family and friends. And whenever you need to keep your conversations going on the move, simply switch to our handy YakChat mobile app.

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