How to Enable Tabbed Chatting in iChat

With the latest update to Apple's iChat messaging software, users are able to organize all of their conversations into one basic window. Prior to this feature, each conversation that a user started would open up a separate box on the desktop. Now all of that clutter can be removed, allowing greater access for reading messages and switching between conversations.

Things You'll Need

• Mac running OS X 10.4 or later
• iChat software

Instructions

1. Open the iChat program and log in to your AIM or other messaging account.

2. Go to "iChat" in the top menu bar and select "Preferences."

3. Navigate to the "Messages" tab of the preferences window.

4. Check the box next to "Collect chats in a single window."

5. Close out of the preferences window and start a conversation with someone on your buddy list. Then start a second chat, and the windows will combine, with each conversation getting its own tab in the messaging window.

6. Go to "View" in the top menu bar, then click on "Messages" and select from Balloons, Boxes, Compact or Text. This allows you to customize the look of your tabbed chats.

Tips & Warnings

• To quickly switch between chats, press the Command key and then either one of the bracket keys.