Too easy to start a new conversation in a Teams channel

[Marlon Beltz]

When there is an already existing threaded conversation happening, the "reply" field is slide down and under the field to start a new conversation so it's very easy to accidentally start a new thread.   Currently you have to remember to scroll the window up to get to the "reply" field.

[#2]

There are uservoice already for this issue, they are supposedly working on it. I suggested that the New Convo should be a button to click to start or to show the bottom text box so others don't get confused because sometimes it does run together.

[#3]

Thanks Chris, I am new to the channel and wasn't able to find it in my search.

[#4]

In case anyone is looking for it, I think this is the right UserVoice submission if you want to vote on it:

EDIT: better uservoice for this: https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/555103/suggestions/19224826

[#5]

I do not agree with that request at all and don't think it's a very good idea because hiding the reply button is ridiculous. The point of that is to keep threaded conversations and topics together. If you remove the reply bottom people are just going to use it like an unthreaded chat and cause more problems than solve.

They need to keep the reply how it is. The only thing that needs changed is making a button for new Conversation text box to prevent all the rouge "replys" becoming new conversations.

If anything, make channels have an option for threaded or not threaded chats. In threaded you make the Conversation Text box a button and add a reply link to the threaded chats. If you pick non threaded chat for the channel you remove the reply and just have the single chat box. Problem solved.

[#6]

I agree with your thoughts.  I was checking out some of the comments on that UserVoice thread and it seems like many of them are very much in alignment with you.  Hopefully the comments are being used to identify the actual issue instead of just taking the proposed solution at face value.

[#7]

I got a notification from UserVoice today... that "hide button" one is gone, and this has replaced it.  Better addresses the problem at hand:  https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/555103/suggestions/19224826

Better visual delineation between `Reply` and `Start a new conversation`

It's very confusing to new users that there is a difference between replying to an existing conversation and starting a new one within a channel. This is a visual thing as much as anything else. The 'reply' buttons are not naturally attractive if you just want to start typing a message. There should be a logical gap between the bottom of a conversation and 'start a new conversation'. 'Start a new conversation' needs to be separated visually, as if it's a second order command rather than a first order...reply.

[#8]

Yup, I still think it needs to be a button. Or just move new conversation to the top. The other problem is reply's sometimes scroll down so the message box is just underneath the new conversation one, unless you realize to scroll you could type and click new conversation on accident. That's a big one right there that is annoying. At least you can delete and fix it if it's turned on now, but still annoying to say the least.

[#9]

This continues to be a huge area of frustration.  This is especially true with people who don't use the solution very often... 

If you aren't going to fix the button, then allow a group admin to move the message to the correct location!!!   argh.

[#10]

There was a button in place that we've been seeing in some screenshots and updated via uservoice. Not sure what the status is or why it's taking so long to implement but it's coming at some point soon hopefully.

[#11]

Microsoft: fix pls, my users are constantly creating new threads when their intent is to reply to an existing one. All because of the default functionality of the enter key.

[#12]

Perhaps there should also be an option for a Team owner to combine conversations and make all comments from one conversation "Replies" in another.

[#13]

What do you mean?
Reply to existing conversations should remain as normal.
Only move the start of new conversation to somewhere else. It is now too easy to start new conversation, while you tried to simply reply to the bottom conversation...

[#14]

@some guy 

To make things easy, why not color code it.  For instance Threads have a color bar down the side indicating that all text with in that area is part of the same thread.  Extend this below the Reply line, and I would also make that <click to reply to thread>.  90% of people should under stand that.

Lastly, because there is a gap above the Start new conversation area, and like stated above, most people just like to start typing, you can pop up a notice as they type there that this will start a new Thread/Conversation.

Lastly, on the color theme, alternate colors between every other thread, solidifying the difference between them.  Just my 2 cents...

[#15 · Accepted solution]

There is a button replacement "New Conversation" that's already rolling out into production that's doing away witht he Text bar at the bottom always being there. That should help.