A hashtag starts with a '#' and doesn't contain any spaces.  It can be used to quickly locate related messages.  There are a couple of ways to create a hashtag.  By putting one in the subject line of a post, if allowed by the group setup, it will automatically be created.  Moderators with the proper permissions, as well as group owners, can create them in advance.  By default, hashtags will be a dark blue rectangle with white letters.

There are a few hashtag names that are reserved and created by the system as needed.

To create hashtags ahead of time:

1.  Go to the group

2.  Go to the Messages screen if you're not already there.

3.  Click on the button near the top that says #HashTags.

4.  On the screen that opens, click on the +Create HashTag button at the bottom of the page.

5.  Another screen will open where you can enter details, including Alias, Description, Duration, and Color.  There are also some options that you may want to set.

6.  When you're done, click on the +Create HashTag button and you'll be taken back to the screen with the list of hashtags.

If you want to change settings for a hashtag, click on the name of it to open an editor screen.  Be sure to click Update HashTag at the bottom when you're done making changes.  If you decide not to make a change, you can click on Cancel.  This is also where you can Delete the hashtag.

To retrofit hashtags for an existing collection of articles - you must view messages in topics view.

1. Narrow the list using search for key word
Note: The search processes entire message - AND - with multiple words the or join is automatic.
For this reason your narrowed list in a large collection will still contain many messages

2. Check the box to collapse topics.  The list will now show the number of messages (inside a blue circle) in each topic displayed.

3. Read down the list and for any topic you wish to tag click on the blue circle to display that topic.
Note: I recommend that you hold down the ctl & shift key while you left click on circle.  This will open it in a new tab.
This will preserve your Topics list for continued review.

4. At the top of the new tab you will see a button to "edit topic" - click this and

5a. If you have predefined the tags you wish to use then drop down the add tags and select from your predefined tags.

5b. If you need to define a new tag simply add a space and type it at the end of the topic line -- example #good-stuff

6. It is possible to assign multiple tags to a topic.  When finished press update topic at the bottom of the page

7. If you remembered to open the topic in a new tab you can now close the active tab and you can continye the review
from where you left off.