> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.heyy.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Send a message

> The composer: free-form text, media, emoji, and voice notes.

The composer sits below the open conversation and handles far more than plain text — between free-form messaging, four media types, emoji, and voice notes, you rarely need to leave the conversation panel to get a messaging task done. Hover over any icon in the toolbar for a tooltip describing what it does.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/heyy-c8bd5c9e/DhJ_IMhg_f5FskkC/assets/inbox-composer-overview.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=DhJ_IMhg_f5FskkC&q=85&s=a1e042108b9d36772d6721b6b7abe91d" alt="Chat composer with all icons labeled" width="1345" height="280" data-path="assets/inbox-composer-overview.png" />
</Frame>

## Free-form text

Type into the text field and send, the same as any messaging app. This is only available while the [conversation window](/help/inbox/chat-fundamentals/conversation-window) is open — once it expires on WhatsApp, Messenger, or Instagram, the field is replaced with a prompt to send an approved template instead.

## Media attachments

Four dedicated icons sit beside the text field, each opening a file picker for its format:

| Icon         | Sends                                |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------ |
| **Image**    | Photos and graphics.                 |
| **Video**    | Video files.                         |
| **Document** | PDFs, spreadsheets, and other files. |
| **Audio**    | Pre-recorded audio files.            |

You can also drag a file directly from your desktop onto the composer instead of using the file picker.

## Emoji

The emoji icon opens a picker to insert emoji into your message, the same as any modern chat app.

## Voice notes

Click the microphone icon to start recording, then click the send icon when you're done to deliver it as a voice message — supported on channels that accept voice, such as WhatsApp.

<Tip>
  For messages you send often — the same explanation, promotion, or set of instructions — build a [quick reply](/help/inbox/use-quick-replies) instead of retyping it each time.
</Tip>

## If sending fails

If a message will not send, work through these in order:

1. **Check the conversation window.** On WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, free-form messaging blocks once the customer's reply window has expired — see [Conversation window](/help/inbox/chat-fundamentals/conversation-window). The composer itself will tell you if this is the case, replacing the text field with a template prompt.
2. **Send an approved template instead.** Use **Choose a template** in the composer, or **Actions → Send a WhatsApp template** — see [Chat actions](/help/inbox/chat-actions). Sending a template and getting a reply reopens the window for normal messaging.
3. **Check the channel connection.** If templates also fail to send, the channel itself may be disconnected — see the relevant [messaging channel](/help/messaging-channels/whatsapp/common-issues) troubleshooting page.